Faculty

Founding Directors

Amy D. Clark, Professor of Rhetoric

Professor Clark’s most recent book, Talking Appalachian: Voice, Identity, and Community (University Press of Kentucky, 2013), explores the history and features of Appalachian dialect and vernacular. She teaches courses in communication, literature, and dialect.

Brian D. McKnight, Professor of History

A specialist in the Appalachian Civil War experience, McKnight’s books include Contested Borderland: The Civil War in Appalachian Kentucky and Virginia (Kentucky, 2006) and Confederate Outlaw: Champ Ferguson and the Civil War in Appalachia (LSU, 2011). He offers courses in Appalachian History.

David Rouse, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy

Having spent more than thirty years as the College’s resident philosopher, Professor Rouse was active in Appalachian issues throughout his time as a member of the faculty. Although now retired, he remains an active part of the Center and still teaches the occasional Appalachian focused class.

Affiliated Faculty

Anthony Cashio, Assistant Professor of Philosophy

A young and dynamic scholar, Cashio teach Philosophy courses integral to the Appalachian Studies minor.

Emily Dotson, Assistant Professor of English

Emily holds a PhD in English from the University of Kentucky. At the University of Virginia’s College at Wise, she is the Director of Wise Writes, a writing in the disciplines QEP, and an Assistant Professor of English who teaches courses in Appalachian Literature and Women’s Literature.

Richard Galyean, Instructor of Music

As Director of Bands and creator of the Bluegrass Band, Galyean’s course offerings complement the requirements of the minor.

Ryan Huish, Assistant Professor of Biology

With a background in field botany and cultural anthropology, Huish studies Appalachian ethnobotany, exploring the human dynamics associated with the diverse flora of the region. He offers courses on the local flora and ethnobotany and is involved with undergraduate field research.

Christa Moore, Assistant Professor of Sociology

Professor Moore is a clinical sociologist with an extensive background in child welfare and human services. Her work promotes community-based interagency collaboration with a focus on rural culture, systemic and intersectional inequalities, and family well-being.

Phillip Shelton, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Science

Having taught at the college since 1970, Professor Shelton still teaches occasionally and is a foremost expert in the region’s flora and fauna.

Walter “Wally” Smith, Associate Professor of Biology

A specialist in regional herpetology, Smith is very active in developing undergraduate research opportunities for his students.

Jinny Turman, Associate Professor of History

Professor Turman is a graduate of West Virginia University and a dedicated Appalachian and Public Historian. In her time at the University of Nebraska-Kearney, she oversaw a wide variety of community based public history programs. Here at UVa-Wise, she will continue those efforts within the College's service area.

Staff

Taylor Guthrie, Year in Wise Program Coordinator

Taylor started working with the CAS in Spring 2021 and transitioned into the position of Program Coordinator for the Year in Wise program in time for Fall 2021.

Hannah Robinson, Archival Intern

Hannah is a History major who began working with the Center for Appalachian Studies as an archivist in Fall 2020.

David Rouse Undergraduate Research Fellows

Julia Maggard, Spring 2017 Fellow

When Julia Maggard began thinking about possible research topics for her Honors Seminar, she was drawn to the story of moonshining in southwestern Virginia. Having roots in the area and hearing stories of the traditions, Maggard was aware of the social, cultural, and economic influence of corn liquor. For her Honors research project, she conducted oral history interviews with those who were once connected with the production of moonshine in the past in addition to researching in other, more traditional sources. Julia graduated in Spring 2017.

Rebecca Iozzi, Spring 2017 Fellow

Rebecca came to UVa-Wise from New Jersey. She has an intense interest in Public History and has also embraced Appalachian and Southern history. In Spring 2017, she conducted oral history interviews and other research that examined Helen Lewis's role in the Appalachian environmental movement. She presented the resulting paper at the Symposium for History Undergraduate Research Conference at Mississippi State University in April 2017. Rebecca graduated in Spring 2018.