Housing Leadership
Brandon Nelson, Ed.D.
Director of University Housing
316 John E. Thomas Hall
Dr. Brandon Nelson has served as the director for the last 5 years and in other professional housing/student affairs/operations roles over the last 17 years. He is a two time alumnus of Appalachian State University, earning his master’s in College Student Development and doctorate in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education. His dissertation focused on Executive Interim Leadership in Student Affairs. Outside of work he enjoys golfing, traveling, exploring the High Country, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
Kelsey Hansen
Associate Director for Residence Life
318 John E. Thomas Hall
Amanda Cutchens, Ph.D.
Associate Director for Student and Administrative Services
331 John E. Thomas Hall
Dr. Amanda Cutchens has served as the associate director for Student and Administrative Services for the last three years and has held previous housing positions at App State since 2019. Prior to coming to App State, Dr. Cutchens spent 10 years working with students in the Judy Genshaft Honors College at the University of South Florida (USF). She holds a PhD and master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from USF. Dr. Cutchens is a mom to two amazing daughters, Abigail and Emma, as well as four fur children, Allie, Pringles, Cooper, and Ash. She spends most weekends running to various travel sports events for her kids with her awesome partner in life, Dr. Josh Cutchens. She is proud of her Administrative Services team and the work they do each day to help prospective students, families, and on-campus residents.
Jason Griffith
Associate Director for Housing Facilities
302 John E. Thomas Hall
Jason Griffith serves as the Associate Director of Facilities for University Housing at Appalachian State University, where he leads the maintenance, housekeeping, support services, and fire/life-safety teams. He focuses on leveraging data analytics for decision-making, project planning, and staff development to support a high-quality residential experience for students. Jason joined App State in July 2024 after holding roles in education and engineering across the manufacturing and gamma-radiation processing industries, and he previously served nine years in the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Power Program, operating and maintaining complex nuclear propulsion and electrical systems aboard nuclear-powered submarines. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Engineering Management and Business from Arizona State University and a master’s degree in Education from Radford University.
Brandy Cornett
(She/Her/Hers)
Business Officer
314 John E. Thomas Hall
Brandy Cornett has served as the Business Officer for University Housing since 2018. Prior to joining University Housing, she held a variety of administrative roles at Appalachian State University beginning in 2000. Originally from Aberdeen, North Carolina, Brandy considers Boone and App State her true home. Over the past 25 years, she has been proud to contribute to the university community, building many meaningful and lasting relationships along the way. Brandy is married to her husband, Jason, and they have one son, Josh, who also works with University Housing, as well as a rescue dog named Cookie. Brandy enjoys giving back to her community alongside her husband and volunteers with the campus organization Collegians for Christ.