Cullowhee, N.C. – Dr. Alesia Jennings, an associate instructor of chemistry, and April Tallant, a senior educational developer with WCU's Coulter Faculty Common and an associate professor in the School of Health Sciences, are Western Carolina University's representatives on this year's All-Southern Conference Faculty and Staff team announced today by the conference office.
 
The conference and its schools recognized two representatives each from all 10 member institutions. While the selections were left up to each institution's discretion, the recipients all shared the common characteristics of demonstrated service to the institution and contributions to campus life and the local community. Faculty members selected have demonstrated strong contributions to teaching, research and/or service, while staff members are being recognized for bringing out the best in others and creating conditions for success.
 
The 2023-24 faculty and staff recipients include: The Citadel's Dr. Alexandra Macdonald and Diana Herrmann; ETSU's Dr. Russ Brown and Brandi Huskey; Furman's Dr. Jeff Yankow and Nancy Cooper; Mercer's Stephanie Morris and Delaney Ryan; UNC Greensboro's Dr. Stuart Marcovitch and Trina Porcher; Samford's Dr. Patrick Marsh and Leslie Armstrong; Chattanooga's Dr. Liz Hathaway and Theresa Blackman; VMI's Col. Jeff Kendrick and Michelle Murphy; Western Carolina's Alesia Jennings and April Tallant; and Wofford's Dr. John Lefebvre and Tammie Burgess.
 
"The Southern Conference is proud to publicly recognize the exceptional faculty and staff members at our institutions," said SoCon Commissioner Michael Cross. "Each of the selected honorees are leaders and mentors at their respective institutions and we celebrate their service and commitment. We thank them for fostering the special and unique environments found across the 10 SoCon campuses and serving as pillars in their communities."
 
Each of the recipients will be recognized at one of their institutions' home men's basketball games this year. WCU will honor its duo on Wed., Jan. 31, when the Catamounts host Chattanooga on Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center.
 
Alesia Jennings, Western Carolina (faculty)
An Associate Instructor of Chemistry, Dr. Alesia Jennings is best described as an enthusiastic and passionate educator who makes the WCU community a better place. Inside and outside the classroom, she is recognized by both students and colleagues as a stellar teacher who holds fast to high standards while providing nurturing support for holistic student success. When not found petting cats at CatMan 2 cat shelter with her students, you can often find Dr. Jennings on the sidelines of WCU sporting events, cheering on her student-athletes, calling them by name. She lifts them up both on and off the field.
 
April Tallant, Western Carolina (staff)
A Senior Educational Developer with WCU's Coulter Faculty Common and an Associate Professor in the School of Health Sciences, April Tallant has almost 20 years of higher education experience at WCU. An award-winning teacher and scholar, she blends the two as an advocate for her professional peers and the region at large. In addition to her service as an Institutional Representative for the North Carolina American Council on Education Women's Network, she works in the classroom and with local non-profits to promote food and nutrition literacy skills while also helping to provide nutritious meals and a welcoming environment to those in need.
 
Western Carolina's Past All-SoCon Faculty & Staff Members
2015-16:      Dr. Hollye Moss, Professor, Management
2016-17:      David Claxton, Professor, Health & Recreation
                    Christy Wyatt, Counselor, Counseling & Psychological Services
2017-18:      Dr. Winford Gordon, Professor, Psychology
                    Beth Moore, Support Associate, School of Art & Design
2018-19:      Dr. Yue Cai Hillon, Associate Professor, Business
                    Mark Haskett, Director of Photography & Videography Services
2019-20:      Dr. Channa De Silva, Associate Professor of Chemistry
                    Dr. Lowell K. Davis, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success
2020-21:      Dr. Kelly R. Kelley, Associate Professor & Director of the University Participant Program
                    Courtney Gauthier, Associate Director of Career Integrated Learning
2021-22:      Dr. Alvin Malesky, Head of the Psychology Department
                    Roger Turk, Grounds Superintendent for the Facilities Management Department
2022-23:      Dr. Cyndy Caravelis, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
                    Brian Boyer, Residential Case Manager
2023-24:      Dr. Alesia Jennings, Associate Instructor of Chemistry
                     April Tallant, Special Educational Developer with WCU's Coulter Faculty Common