Graduate Student Spotlights
The Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies showcases our graduate students' remarkabe achievements, creative endeavors, research, service, and experiences. Each spotlight offers a look at their academic journey, projects, and contributions to App State and their field. We celebrate our talented graduate students and their passion for their studies and contributions to the larger community.
Grad Student Profile:
Jenny Macemore
Jenny is pursuing her Master of Health Administration as an online student who lives in Winston-Salem with her husband and two sons. While she had considered graduate school a few times over the years, Jenny hadn’t seriously considered pursuing her MHA until last summer. She received an email through her employer about an information session and decided it wouldn’t hurt to participate, camera off, and hear what would be shared. Jenny ended up being the only participant. The call turned into a one-on-one conversation that made participating in the MHA program feel accessible to Jenny as a wife, mom, and full-time working woman. She applied, was accepted within a week, and started classes a week after that.
Jenny has enjoyed the sense of camaraderie and connection to professors and peers in her program. Having completed her undergraduate degree virtually and never feeling a strong sense of connection, Jenny appreciates the effort her faculty have made to structure courses and assignments in a way that promotes connection even in a virtual environment.
Jenny will be celebrating her 25th anniversary with her current employer this May and is excited to be pursuing graduate education for a sense of personal satisfaction. In her personal time, Jenny enjoys baking, especially bread, and has learned she enjoys piecing together quilts and takes pleasure in the end product. This fall, her oldest son will continue the Mountaineer legacy as he enters his freshman year here at App State.
Grad Student Profile:
Josie Barnes
Josie is pursuing her Master of Arts in Special Education as well as certifications in literacy, emotional behavior disorders, and special education leadership. Josie came to App for her undergraduate education in 2019 because she felt a sense of connection as a result of her parents attending App. She received her bachelor's degree in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in English Language Arts and Math. After taking a class with Dr. Van Loan, Josie was inspired to pursue the special education program and reworked her college plan after learning about the accelerated master's program. Josie added multiple certificates to her program in part because the professors were so cool and so passionate about their work.
Josie is involved on campus as a member of Club SPED, a group focused on professional development, advocacy for special education teachers and their students, and building a supportive community. She’s currently doing research on animal-assisted reading intervention which aims to increase students' literacy skills and self-esteem by allowing students with intellectual disabilities and emotional-behavioral disorders to read to dogs. Josie recently assisted Dr. Kelly Clark in writing an article titled “Bridging Theory and Practice: The Power of a Mathematics Clinic in Teacher Preparation," which utilized research involving special educators' working conditions in rural North Carolina and the impact of a math clinic for preservice special education teachers.
In her free time, Joise loves to read and watch movies to log on her Goodreads and Letterboxd accounts. She also loves trading and collecting Disney pins - a hobby spurred on by her experience in the Disney College Program and her favorite travel destination - Walt Disney World. After graduation, Joise will be moving to Augusta, GA to begin working as a middle school or special education teacher, but she will forever hold on to the lessons learned and memories made in the community she found with her peers and professors here at App State.
Grad Student Profile:
Natalee Jamerson
Natalee is a second year dual degree student in the Industrial Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management and the Applied Data Analytics programs. During her second year working professionally for her sorority as a Leadership Consultant, Natalee began reflecting on what she loved about her current work and what she wanted out of her future. She reconnected with one of her undergraduate professors who introduced her to the field of industrial organizational psychology. She selected the program at App State because of the program name recognition and the avenue to future job opportunities. Natalee has most enjoyed her applied data analytics classes and her internship with NASA.
On campus Natalee is involved as a graduate assistant in Fraternity and Sorority Life, a Graduate Ambassador, and as GSGA president. Reflecting on her time in GSGA, Natalee values the opportunities she’s had to gain professional connections, learn more about campus committees, and meet new people. As an out of state student, she’s found the best part of GSGA to be meeting incredible people across graduate programs and working alongside them to create GSGA events. Natalee shared “Every day I'm amazed at the immense collective power of our graduate students here at App and I'm so thankful I've had this opportunity to work with a few of them.”
Natalee’s favorite spot on campus is the Campus Activities Office. If she ever needs a brain break, you can find her in the office losing a Mario Cart Race on the Nintendo Switch. After graduation, Natalee will be moving to Northern Virginia to begin working as a Change Manager with the Navy Federal Credit Union.
Grad Student Profile:
Jonathan Culpepper
Jonathan is a Raleigh native and is pursuing his Master of Science in Technology with a concentration in Sustainable Building Design & Construction. His interest in the environment developed during his childhood as he participated in camping and canoeing in Ashe County, NC. During his undergraduate education at Appalachian State, Jonathan participated in the Solar Decathlon Design Challenge through the U.S. Department of Energy which developed his interest in pursuing graduate education focused on sustainable design. He values the hands on experience which is prioritized in his program.
Jonathan's research addresses the complex nature of carbon emission reduction of concrete construction. Cement, an ingredient in concrete, contributes 8% of global carbon admissions. Jonathan looks at ratios of replacement up to 25%, a combination of 15% fly ash and 10% biochar. In January of 2025, Jonathan presented this research during App State's 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) competition and was awarded first place. His success came from several weeks of content development and practice. He credits his girlfriend with helping him prepare to meet the three minute time limit.
After graduation, Jonathan plans to work with Terracon, a civil engineering firm. He will serve as a building enclosure consultant assisting architects, engineers, and builders. Jonathan is excited to work through his passion of building durable, resilient, and high performing structures.