Appalachian State University School/College Awards
As part of the annual Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Awards, the Appalachian State University School/College Awards recognize App State faculty members for their innovative teaching methods in the classroom, making a difference in the way students learn. These campus-based awards come with a $1,000 cash prize.
Dr. Katie Mawhinney
Award Year: 2025
Professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences
Dr. Katie Mawhinney, professor in App State's Department of Mathematical Sciences, has been a faculty member at the university since 2003.
Throughout her career at App State, Mawhinney has held various leadership roles in her department, including director of the honors program, assistant chair and director of the graduate program. She was also a member of the university's Williams School of Graduate Studies from 2008 to 2023.
"Dr. Mawhinney is dedicated to building connections not just within the mathematics community but across a wide range of education levels," said one of her nominators. "Her commitment to expanding the reach of mathematics education is something I deeply admire, and I have learned from her the importance of looking beyond one's immediate environment to build a broader, more inclusive academic community."
Outside of App State, Mawhinney has been involved in several professional societies, including the Mathematical Association of America, the American Mathematical Society and the North Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Mawhinney holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of North Carolina Asheville, and a master's and doctorate in mathematics from North Carolina State University.