BMEI Video Bios
Dr. Will Sheppard
Dr. Brandy Bryson
Updates
Black Male Excellence Initiative
Welcome to the Appalachian State University Black Male Excellence Initiative (BMEI)! Are you ready to make history? The 2021-2022 academic year will be the inaugural year for the Black Male Excellence Initiative RLC. This community has been created to assist with the recruitment, retention, and graduation of Black Males who attend Appalachian State University. While creating a sense of belonging in a residence hall setting, members of the community will focus on life-skills in a holistic manner. The Black Male Excellence Initiative RLC will provide members with a framework that will prepare Black Males for life during and after college.
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Dr. Will Sheppard
Dr. Will Sheppard is an Assistant Director in University Housing for West Campus and Adjunct Faculty. Will is from Tyler, Texas and a first generation college student. He attended University of Central Missouri and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education K-12, University of South Dakota, M.A. in Exercise Science, and the University of Nebraska Lincoln, doctorate in Education Administration. His passion areas are academic success for 1st generation students and students of color. After a very rough undergraduate experience with little to no support from faculty and staff, he realized if a program like this would have been on campus his chances of success would have been even higher. This motivated him to create the initiative to give Black male scholars the support they need for overall success. Dr. Sheppard loves working out and teaching tumbling classes to kids. Seeing scholars become better than when they first started college, finding their purpose and passion is a great meaningful moment for him!
sheppardwj1@appstate.edu
828-262-8591
Brandy Bryson, Ph.D., M.S.W.
Dr. Brandy Bryson serves as the Director of Inclusive Excellence, associate professor and the Cone Hall faculty-in-residence. Originally from Atlanta Georgia, Brandy was a first-generation college student who attended the University of Georgia and earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Sociology followed by her Masters of Social Work. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina and is a sociologist of race, systemic racism and education. When asked about her passion for, and commitment to, the Black Male Excellence Initiative, Brandy shared: I have personally experienced and I have witnessed the need to support students who might need additional support in an educational system not set up for us. As a first-generation college student from a working class family, I struggled to figure it all out-- from financial aid forms to academic help to mental health support and everything in between-- and I hustled to make ends meet. When I became a social worker in a predominantly Black school district in Georgia, I saw more clearly the inequities that Black youth face in our educational systems. This is why I returned to school to study race and racism in society and the connection to schooling. Now, I support faculty in making their teaching more equitable and culturally relevant in a way that draws from the strengths and cultural capital of their students of Color. I believe strongly that anti-racist education is the only way to educate. My work is spiritual and springs from a deep well of compassion and a desire for transformation. In addition to her love for people, Brandy enjoys history, movies, music, SEC football, sports cars, and dancing.
brysonbs@appstate.edu
828-262-6093
Alex Howard, DrPH
Alex currently serves as the assistant vice chancellor of Student Affairs at Appalachian State University. Within this role, Alex provides leadership to the departments of Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Services, University Recreation, as well as Wellness and Prevention Services. In his efforts to enhance the holistic functioning of all students, Alex is deeply involved in the process of educating and engaging a variety of stakeholders, such as the Universitys Board of Trustees and members of the broader Watauga County community. During his time at Appalachian State University Alex has developed a variety of student support services, assisted with the modification of university policies, managed various research projects, and maintained his love for teaching in the classroom by serving as an instructor in the Beaver College of Health Sciences. Prior to his work at Appalachian State University, Alex served as faculty and the undergraduate program director within the College of Public Health at the University of Kentucky. Alex, a native of Sampson County, NC, received both his doctorate and masters of public health from the University of Kentucky. In addition, he also earned a bachelors of science in athletic training from High Point University. While attending predominantly white institutions Alex experienced first-hand the importance of mentorship as well as academic and non-academic support. Access to a broad, and diverse, support system was critical to Alexs success as a black male, first generation college student. Due to his experiences as a student, Alex has dedicated a significant amount of time advising and coaching students with under-represented identities in higher education.
howardaf@appstate.edu
828-262-3148
Lee Cope
Lee began serving as Executive Director of the Disco Student Learning Center in June, 2020. An active member of the South Eastern College Learning Center Association (SECLCA) and the National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA), he has presented at regional and national conferences on developing technological advances to help increase access and remove barriers to services. Lee is committed to seeing the Disco Student Learning Center earn the NCLCA Learning Center of Excellence designation and become a valued resource for all App State students.
Prior to coming to Appalachian, Lee worked in the Student Support Services Program, at Mars Hill University, a private liberal arts university in Mars Hill, NC. Additionally, while serving within the department, Lee coordinated the design and implementation of seminars and program initiatives focused on student development. While at MHU, Lee also taught First Year Seminar courses to general population students and to at-risk populations focusing on academic success strategies and leadership development from a Christian world-view.
A first generation, low-income student from McDowell County, NC, Lee earned a B.A. in Sociology and a B.A. in Spanish from Mars Hill College in 2004. He earned a Master of Liberal Arts degree from UNC-Asheville in 2011, while researching Sustainability through the lenses of Environmental Sociology and the Sociology of Religion.
When not at work, Lee enjoys spending time with his family: his wife, Faith, and their two children; Titus, and Cora Lynne. Together they enjoy outdoor adventures like mountain biking, camping, and hiking. Lee is also an ordained minister in the Free Will Baptist Church.
copeiial@appstate.edu
828-262-6809
Associated First Year Seminar class: Wakanda Warriors: Black Male Excellence
Will Sheppard, Ed.D.
Assistant Director for West Campus
Director, Black Male Excellence Initiative
(828)262-8591
Members of the Black Male Excellence Initiative will have the opportunity to:
- Foster a community of respect
- Explore and evaluate personal interests and careers
- Develop connections with faculty, staff, and students associated with the Department of Wellness & Prevention Services as well as the Student Learning Center, other departments, and stakeholders
- Work with the Resident Assistant to develop community standards
Members of the Black Male Excellence Initiative will be expected to:
- Actively engage with the Leadership Team
- Participate in community and campus-sponsored events and activities
- Support the academic success of community members
- Become involved in developing community standards and planning the future of the community
- Enroll in the Wakanda Warriors: Black Male Excellence linked First Year Seminar course
Black Males will gain the following with the program:
- Sense of Belonging
- Academic Achievement
- Personal and Community Development
- Major and Career Development
- Holistic Approach to Self Confidence in Life's Journey
Sponsoring Departments
Department of Wellness & Prevention Services
The Department of Wellness & Prevention Services offers services promoting health awareness and active lifestyles, helping students make choices to facilitate a better quality of life by making healthy decisions. It is an extension of Student Health Services and is Appalachian State University's central resource for health education information, programs, events, and services.
Student Learning Center
The Student Learning Center serves students in gaining a deeper awareness of what helps them learn and succeed through tutoring, academic strategy instruction, and executive skill development. We provide holistic support for all students at Appalachian State University, empowering them to become active participants in a transformative education to meet their academic goals and achieve their academic potential.
Admissions
Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as engaged global citizens who understand their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Office of Admissions furthers this mission by recruiting, admitting, and enrolling a diverse and competitive body of undergraduate students whose experiences and talents benefit the Appalachian community. As the front door to Appalachian, our leadership in service and collaboration with campus partners sets the tone for the unique experience awaiting future Mountaineers.
