Meet the Team
Associate Dean for Advanced Studies in Business Dr. Jason Xiong | Ph.D., University of Nebraska Omaha Dr. Jason Xiong joined App State's faculty in 2016 and was named Associate Dean of Advanced Business Studies for the Walker College in 2023. He previously served as Director of App State’s Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics program, from July 2021 until June 2023, and also served on the admissions and Assurance of Learning committees for the MSADA program. Dr. Xiong has been a Vice President for Communication for Association for Information Systems (AIS) SigGlobDev, Communication Editor for the Journal of Information Technology for Development and an Editorial Board Member for the Journals of Database Management and Information Systems Applied Research. In addition to his service and teaching experience, Dr. Xiong has previous work experience in large IT companies in the United States and China. His research interests include Business Analytics, Emerging Technologies and Ethical Issues, E-Commerce, and IT for Development. Dr. Xiong earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Electronic Commerce degree from University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, a Master of Science in Economics Degree from Zhejiang University, a Master of Science in Management Information Systems Degree and Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems Degree from University of Nebraska Omaha.
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Director of MBA Dr. Neel Das | Ph.D., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA Dr. Neel Das joined the Walker College of Business in 2007 as an Assistant Professor in Marketing. He was promoted to professor in 2019. He has taught MBA classes at the Institute of Management of Technology, India, Calcutta Business School, India, and the University of Angers, France. His primary teaching interests are Consumer Behavior and Branding and has also taught other courses such as International Marketing and Marketing Research. Dr. Das' research has received honors in conferences sponsored by the Society of Marketing Advances and the Atlantic Marketing Association, has received grants from Appalachian State University Research Council, the Walker College of Business Dean's Club Research Grants, and the Networks Financial Institute, Indiana State University. His research has been published in a variety of journals including the Journal of Advertising, Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, Marketing Letters and others. Dr. Das has an undergraduate business and commerce degree from St. Xavier's College, India, a Master's degree in accounting and taxation from the University of Calcutta, India, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Management in finance from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, and a Ph.D. in marketing from Louisiana State University. | |
Director, Master of Science in Accounting Program Dr. Robin Romanus | Ph.D., Virginia Tech Dr. Robin Romanus is an associate professor in accounting at App State. She has more than 10 years of private industry accounting experience. Her research interests include examining the impact of auditor industry expertise on audit quality and audit fees, as well as understanding how Ethics education can improve accountants decision-making. Dr. Romanus is a member of the auditing and financial sections of the American accounting association. She enjoys watching her two sons play sports and volunteering with animal welfare organizations. | |
Graduate Programs Administrator Donna Lindabury | B.S., Appalachian State University Donna Lindabury received the outstanding staff award for the College of Business for 2013, which honors college staff members who exhibit dedication in service, innovation, workplace morale and service to Appalachian and the community. In addition to serving as Assistant to the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Research, Lindabury manages the MBA assistantship and scholarship programs, supports various research initiatives, and is the administrator of the college’s professional education programs. She began her career with the Walker College as administrative assistant in the Department of Computer Information Systems. | |
Associate Director for Graduate Business Programs Cele Burt |
B.B.A., Baylor University Cele Burt joined the Walker College of Business Graduate Programs office in July 2020. She previously worked in accounting at ASU Foundation and has a background in human resources and finance. In addition to working for an industrial construction firm in Raleigh as HR Manager, she and her family spent eight years overseas working for a non-profit organization, where Cele managed budgets and expense reports for field personnel in Asia and Australia. Cele is a Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society member and a graduate of the 2023-24 Chancellor's Academic Leadership Development Program. Her professional interests include program management, academic advising, career coaching, mentoring, intercultural competency, and international education. | |
Graduate Programs Career Coach Michelle Brown | B.S.B.A., Appalachian State University M.A., Appalachian State University Michelle Brown is the career coach for graduate business programs (MBA, MS in Applied Data Analytics and MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management). Prior to this role, Michelle Brown has served in various roles at Appalachian including Assistant Director, Career Exploration and Assistant Director/Career Counselor for the College of Arts and Sciences in the Career Development Center. Additionally, Michelle has taught Introduction to Nonprofit Management in the Interdisciplinary Studies department and College to Career Courses in partnership with the Student Learning Center. Currently, Michelle teaches The Meaning of Work in the First Year Seminar program. Michelle enjoys motivating students in their professional journeys to be authentic and discover and articulate interests, strengths, and values while pursuing career and life paths. | |
Graduate Programs Events and Social Media Manager Kim Kirby | B.S.B.A., Appalachian State University M.B.A., Appalachian State University Kim Kirby first joined the WCOB Graduate Programs team in 2014 after working for seven years in IT Audit at Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo). Kim began as the MBA Coordinator and Advisor, and was later promoted to Director of Graduate Student Services. Her responsibilities included managing recruiting and admissions for the MBA program, serving as the graduate school liaison and diversity representative, planning and executing all graduate programs events, including recruiting events, dining etiquette seminars, orientations, hooding ceremonies and our first ever graduate programs career fair. Kim opted to leave full-time employment in 2019 after the birth of her second child and later rejoined Graduate Programs on a part-time basis in January 2022 as the MBA/MSADA Events and Social Media Manager. Kim plans and executes all MBA/MSADA program events and manages daily social media promotion. | |
Graduate Programs Advisor Linda Meznar | B.S.B.A., Bryan College Linda Meznar joined Appalachian State as a University Program Specialist in the Walker College of Business (WCOB) Brantley Center in 2017 after several years of administrative roles in various non-profit organizations. In 2019 she assumed the position of Business Officer and Executive Assistant to the Dean of the WCOB. Due to family demands she left that position in the summer of 2023. Out of a desire to have more direct engagement with students and stay connected to the great faculty and staff in the WCOB, she joined the Graduate Programs office in February 2024 in a part-time position as the Online MBA advisor. |
