Heather Hulburt Norris has been officially appointed chancellor of Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. She has served as the university’s interim chancellor since April 2024.
Appalachian State University enrolls over 19,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, according to the most recent federal data. Women represent about 56 percent of the undergraduate student body.
Dr. Norris began her career with App State in 2003 as an assistant professor in the department of finance, banking, and insurance in the Walker College of Business. She quickly progressed as an academic administrator, serving as the college’s assistant dean for undergraduate programs, associate dean for undergraduate programs and administration, and senior associate dean. After stints as acting dean and interim dean, she was selected to serve as dean of the Walker College of Business in 2016.
Five years later, Dr. Norris was appointed provost of App State, a position she held until assuming the role of interim chancellor. Just a few months after assuming her interim role, Dr. Norris stepped up to lead the institution through the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, which caused significant damages to the local Boone, North Carolina community. Despite the hurricane’s interruptions to the fall 2024 semester, the university experienced an increase in Spring 2025 enrollment, grew its online student populations, and forged new community partnerships. App State has also expanded its academic opportunities, secured new funding, and recently earned an R2 research designation from the Carnegie Classification system.
Dr. Norris is a graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where she majored in business administration. She holds a master’s degree and doctorate in finance from Pennsylvania State University.