Advancement & Alumni
Welcome to the Office of Advancement at Concord University
The Concord University Office of Advancement works to seek out and develop ways to engage individuals, groups, organizations, the business community and others by encouraging partnerships and worthwhile channels between those who wish to contribute to Concord through gifts of time, talent and/or finances. Either through the receipt of a gift or through involvement, supporting the University provides a return on investment for our donors, creating deep and lasting ties to the University – as well as to the students we serve.
Our goal is to communicate efficiently with the more than 23,000 alums across our country and around the globe. The Office of Advancement is responsible for the Concord University quarterly magazine, all interaction with media, including press releases, online publications, social media and the general management of the University’s image.
We strive to highlight the accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff as well as the successes of our alumni. We truly believe the Mountain Lion family is the foundation to Concord’s 150 year history and the lifeline to everything our University has in store for its future.
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Summer 2024
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Archived Publications
- Winter 2023
- Summer 2023
- Winter 2022
- Summer 2022
- Fall 2021
- Spring 2021
- Winter 2020
- Noteworthy Fall 2020 Special Edition
- Summer 2020
- Spring 2020
- Fall 2019
- Noteworthy Fall 2020
- Summer 2019
- Spring 2019
- Noteworthy 2019
- Fall 2018
- Summer 2018
- Spring 2018
- Fall 2017
- Noteworthy 2017
- Spring 2017
- Fall 2016
- Summer 2016
- Spring 2016
- Special Edition 2016
- Fall 2015
- Summer 2015
- Spring 2015
- Fall 2014
- Spring 2014
- Spring 2014
- Fall 2013
- Spring 2013
- Winter 2013
- Fall 2012
- Summer 2012
- Spring 2012
- Winter 2012
- Fall 2011
- Summer 2011
- Fall 2010(pdf)
- Summer 2010(pdf)
- Spring 2010(pdf)
- Winter 2009(pdf)
Campus E-News
November 2024: Deborah Curry ’80
Deborah Curry was recently named West Virginia’s 2024 ‘Community Star’ by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH). She is currently the Program Director for Rural Outreach and Development for the Robert C. Byrd Center for Rural Health at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and also teaches as an adjunct at Concord.
October 2024: Dr. Jade Gallimore ’09
Dr. Jade Gallimore was recently appointed to the editorial board of The Surgical Council on Resident Education (SCORE®). She is currently an assistant professor at the WVU School of Medicine Charleston Campus department of surgery and is the program director of general surgery at the CAMC Institute for Academic Medicine. SCORE is the defined online curriculum blueprint for surgical education in the United States.
September 2024: Greg Prudich ’82
Concord alum, Greg Prudich ‘82, was named the 2024 West Virginia School Board Member of the Year for 2024. He was elected as a board member to the Mercer County Board of Education in 1998 and currently serves as President. Greg also serves on the Executive Legislative Committee for the WVSBA.
August 2024: Brandon Austin ’11
Brandon Austin was officially sworn in as Mercer County’s latest Assistant Prosecuting Attorney by Judge Mark Wills on August 5. Austin grew up in Mercer County, graduated from Princeton High School, and studied law at Concord University and West Virginia University. He previously worked as a defense attorney at Sanders Austin law offices.
July 2024: Jeff Jefferson ’13
Jeff has been named Francis Marion University’s new baseball head coach. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Concord, where he spent two seasons, 2012 and 2013. He most recently served as an assistant coach at UNC Pembroke for 10 seasons. We wish Jeff the best in this new role!
June 2024: Bobby Barber ’07
Bobby has recently been named a Colorado Titan 100 which recognizes the top 100 CEOs & C-level executives in the region. Leaders recognized demonstrate exceptional leadership, vision, passion, and influence in their field. He is currently the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance for Semester at Sea, Institute for Shipboard Education. Congratulations, Bobby!
May 2024: Kimberly Yahya ’09, ’11
Mrs. Kimberly Yahya has been named the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year for Mercer County Schools in WV. She is a fourth grade teacher at Athens Elementary School and a graduate of Concord holding a B.S. in Education and a Masters of Education. Concord is proud of our many education graduates and all that they do for the next generation of Mountain Lions! Congratulations, Mrs. Yahya!
April 2024: Dr. Iliyana Dobreva ’05
Dr. Iliyana Dobreva has been named as Senior Data Scientist at StormImpact, a leader in weather-related risk assessment. Prior to her role at StormImpact, Dr. Dobreva was a Postdoctoral Scholar at the Department of Geography, The Ohio State University, and held positions at Texas A&M AgriLife Research, including Assistant Research Scientist and Senior Research Associate. She graduated from Concord in 2005 with a Bachelors Degree in Geography with minors in Computer Science and Mathematics. Congratulations on your new role, Dr. Iliyana Dobreva!
March 2024: Kara Dense ’95
Kara was recognized at the Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce Dinner on March 8 as the Business Leader of the Year. She is currently the President and CEO of the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Congratulations to Kara on this recognition!
February 2024: Sara Blankenship ’06
Sara has been with the Spirit Program at the University of Tennessee since the fall of 2016 and was recently promoted to the title of Spirit Program Operations Coordinator. On January 12th the UT Cheer Team won the Division IA Game Day division at the UCA/UDA Collegiate National Championship. This is Sara’s 5th National Championship working with the UT Spirit Team.
January 2024: Donnie Mitchem ’91
Donnie Mitchem, Director of Outpatient Therapy for Atrium Hospital in Charlotte, NC, was recently named a Charlottean of the Year for 2023 featured in the December edition of Charlotte Magazine. Her career has covered all ages of therapy, specializing for the past 20 years in school-based therapy for Middle School and High School students. During her time at Concord she was a member of Tri Sigma and worked in the Counseling Center.
December 2023: Justin Willard ’13
Former Concord Baseball player and 2013 graduate, Justin Willard, has been named Director of Pitching for the Boston Red Sox! His previous roles included Pitching Coach and Pitching Coordinator with the Minnesota Twins baseball team. Congratulations to Justin on this new role!
November 2023: Courtney Buchanan ’14
Courtney Buchanan has recently been promoted to Branch Manager of First Community Bank’s Beckley Citizen Drive location! Her career in banking began with the company in 2015 and she remains active in her local community. We wish Courtney the best of luck in this new role!
October 2023: Tyler Coy ’19
Tyler Coy ’19 has been promoted to Senior Lease Analyst on Amazon’s Worldwide Asset Management team. He has managed portfolios in Australia and Singapore in addition to North America. Tyler was also recognized as a 30 Under 30 recipient by the Institute of Real Estate Management for 2023. We wish Tyler the best of luck in this new role!
September 2023: Hannah Morgan ’17
Hannah Morgan recently joined the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority and will be leading the Business Capacity Services team of the West Virginia Hive. Previously serving the Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, VA, her graduate studies increased her motivation to return and serve her home state of West Virginia. Hannah will be managing multiple projects and administering the WV Hive Business Hub along with several other duties in this role. Congratulations, Hannah!
August 2023: Kari Vicars ’05
Kari Vicars ’05 recently began her appointment as principal of Shady Spring High School in Shady Spring, WV. Her career in education has spanned across 18 years in a variety of roles. Roles including the WV Department of Education Coordinator of Social Studies, principal of Summers County High School, and others. Congratulations to Kari on her new role!
July 2023: Lisa Richards ’89
An educator for the past 24 years in a variety of different settings, Lisa Richards ’89 is now a published author. Her children’s book, Follow Your Heart: How Owllen Discovered his True Calling, is set to be released next month. Congratulations Lisa on this accomplishment!
June 2023: Johnathan Frazier ’15
Johnathan Frazier has been named Community Chief Executive Officer of Addiction Recovery Care’s Bellefonte Campus. In this role he will be overseeing the daily operations of the campus. Johnathan joins the ARC with 20 years of experience and looks forward to meeting the needs of the community. We wish Johnathan the best of luck in this new role!
May 2023: Dr. Kevin Siers ’93
The Franklin County School Board has named Dr. Kevin Siers as the school division’s next superintendent. He has served in several leadership positions in education including assistant principal, principal, and superintendent. A Concord graduate and military veteran, Siers will begin this new position effective July 1. We wish Kevin the best of luck in this new position!
April 2023: Morgan Bragg ’07
Sergeant Morgan C. Bragg ’07 with the Beckley Police Department graduated as a member of the 285th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Since 2008 he has held the positions of: patrol officer, domestic violence officer, and detective. Bragg is currently the Chief of Detectives and serves as the agency’s only certified polygraph examiner and as the supervisor of the BPD Crime Scene Unit. Fewer than one percent of officers nationally have the opportunity to attend this prestigious program.
March 2023: Willa Handy ’16
Willa Handy ’16 was recently featured by The Ohio State University’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Global Engagement for her work in education. Nearing completion of a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program, Willa has served students in multiple capacities for over 10 years. Inspiring students with positive relationships, we look forward to seeing the impact Willa continues to make in the lives of our youth!
February 2023: Josh Stephens ’12
Dr. Josh Stephens ’12 has recently opened his own practice, Alpha Therapy, in Fort Chiswell, VA. His practice focuses on treating patients for physical therapy, sports rehab, and preventative rehab needs. Prior to opening his own clinic, he worked with Bluefield Regional Medical Center and Princeton Community Hospital in Mercer County, WV. Congratulations to Josh on this achievement!
January 2023: David Woodard ’03
David Woodard ’03 has been named President of the Virginia School Boards Association. He has served on the Tazewell County School Board since 2008 and is the first person from the county to be named president. Participating on various boards and previously serving terms as chairman of the school board, David has committed to providing exceptional service to the area and state of Virginia. Congratulations and best of luck, David!
