Western Carolina University

Marie T. Huff, Ph.D.
Interim Dean
201 Health & Human Sciences Bldg.
828-227-7271

Dr. Huff joined the faculty at Western Carolina University in 1998 as an assistant profesor after completing her Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina.  She earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Georgia in 1986 and her B.A. in phychology from the University of North Carolina Asheville.  Dr. Huff served as Department Head in the Department of Social Work from 2006-2008.  During her tenure in the social work department she helped to establish the master of social work program and the substance abuse studies certificate program.  She became the Associate Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences in 2008 and was appointed Interim Dean from 2010-2011 and again in August 2012.  Dr. Huff has over ten years of social work practice experience in the field of mental health with adolescents and their families.  Prior to entering the academic realm she was employed as a clinical social worker and maintained a part-time private practice in Georgia.  Her teaching and research interests include addictions, cultural competence, and social policy.  She continues to teach in the department of social work and in the substance abuse studies certificate program.

Linda Comer, Ph.D.
Interim Associate Dean
201 Health & Human Sciences Bldg.
828-227-7271

Dr. Comer joined the faculty at Western Carolina University in 2007 as an assistant professor after completing her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Teaching from the University of North Carolina Greensboro.  She previously earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Georgia, a Master of Science in Counseling, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.  Dr. Comer served as Associate Director of Graduate Nursing Programs in the School of Nursing from 2011-2012.  Dr. Comer has over twenty-five years of nursing practice experience in critical care and over 15 years experience in mental health counseling.  Her teaching and research interests include narrative research and pedagogy, nursing education, addictions nursing, and social justice.  She continues to teach in the School of Nursing. 

Judy Dillard
Executive Assistant
201 Health & Human Scienes Bldg.
828-227-2143

Judy Dillard joined WCU as an administrative secretary in 2004, bringing with her 15 years of prior service in the UNC-system.  Her WCU career began in the Office of Law, Equity & Auditing.  She joined the Office of the Dean in January of 2006 as Executive Assistant.  Judy is an Alabama native but she and her husband proudly claim western North Carolina as their home.

 

Gwen Nicholson
Administrative Support Specialist
201 Health & Human Sciences Bldg.
828-227-2144

Gwen Nicholson assumed the role of Administrative Support Specialist in the Office of the Dean in the College of Health and Human Sciences in June of 2008.  Prior to joining the Office of the Dean, Gwen served as an administrative assistant with the MSN Nursing program at the Enka from 2007-2008.  Her previous employment history includes 25 years at the Smoky Mountain Center and Meridian Behavioral Health Services in the Accounts Payable and Purchasing Departments.