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 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. | |
Co-Director, Master of Science in Accounting Program Dr. Mary Ann Hofmann | Ph.D., Arizona State University Mary Ann Hofmann is the Co-Director of the M.S. Accounting program, and has been teaching at Appalachian State University since 2006. Her research has been published in Journal of the American Taxation Association, National Tax Journal, Advances in Taxation, and other scholarly journals. She is a member of the American Accounting Association and the Institute of Managerial Accountants. In her spare time, Mary Ann enjoys quilting and gardening, as well as hiking, kayaking, and travelling with her husband. | |
Co-Director, Master of Science in Accounting Program Dr. Dwayne McSwain | Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington Dwayne McSwain is the Co-Director of the M.S. Accounting program at Appalachian State University. His research has been published in Internal Auditing, Journal of Accounting Literature, Journal of Forensic Accounting Research, Journal of Government Financial Management, The CPA Journal, among others. He co-authored annual updates to Applying Government Accounting Principles for eight years and most recently co-authored the 11th edition of Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting: Theory and Practice. He is a member of the American Accounting Association, American Institute of CPAs, Association of Government Accountants, Government Finance Officers Association, and the Tennessee Society of CPAs.
In his free time, Dwayne enjoys hiking and working on his farm. | |
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. | |
Graduate Student Services Associate 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 formerly received her SHRM-CP certification from the Society for Human Resource Management and is a member of the North Carolina Association of International Educators. Her professional interests include academic advising, career coaching, mentoring, financial management, 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. |
