The Social Work Program Advisory Board serves to provide practical community-based input to the Mars Hill University Social Work Program, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness in training students for generalist social work practice.

We are happy to work with the following diverse community members:

Shannon Boyd

Shannon Boyd has been a member of the Mars Hill University Social Work Program Advisory Board since 2022. She grew up in Mars Hill and obtained her B.S.W. through the adult studies program here and currently works for Buncombe County Schools. Shannon has experience working in the field as a foster care worker with DSS, school social worker, McKinney-Vento, and as a foster care coordinator. Shannon is delighted that her career in social work can enable her to assist individuals and families in her community and ensure that all can navigate challenges in their lives towards stability, dignity and hope. Social work allows Shannon to combine advocacy, compassion, and problem solving to remove barriers and create meaningful change not just for individuals, but for systems and communities as well. What motivates Shannon to do social work is having the ability to amplify the voices of the unheard, alongside collaboration with community partners to ensure that all have access to the resources and support they deserve. Shannon believes that social workers should be inspired, knowing that their work can generate immediate impacts, with lasting generational effects.

Anna Boyles

Anna Boyles serves as the 2025–2026 co-president of the Social Work Club. She is a junior at Mars Hill University. Anna completed her junior internship with Pisgah Legal Services. On campus Anna serves as a First Year Mentor and the History Supplemental Instructor. She is on the MHU Dance Team, president of the Baptist Student Association, and a member of Tri Beta. Anna would like to work in advocacy and do policy work post-graduation.

Travis Cable

Travis Cable earned an associate degree through AB-Tech and attended Mars Hill University for his B.S.W. in Adult and Graduate Studies. Mr. Cable has experience working within a psychiatric hospital aiding patients. He loves the work that he does assisting his patients through groups sessions, allowing those with different backgrounds to connect through similar life challenges. He strives to work in many different areas such as veterans, schools, and prisons, as he can fully experience the aspects of the social work field. According to Mr. Cable, the social work program and advisory board here at Mars Hill University has given him a wonderful experience, one that has helped him to feel included and heard in his career. Mr. Cable is motivated by the fact that he can help those with struggles similar to his own, and to anyone becoming a social work student, “you’re on the right path, buckle up for a fun ride.”

Amber Cook

Amber Cook has been a member of the Mars Hill University Social Work Program Advisory Board since 2024. She currently works for Buncombe County Health and Human Services. Amber has experience working in Caldwell County, Catawba County, and Gaston County, all in the areas of children and family services. Amber is currently an adjunct professor for Mars Hill University and teaches the Child Welfare class. When asked what makes her the most excited about social work she said, “It’s cliche to say everything. The power of change. Helping families make sustainable changes in their lives to improve family units and childhoods.”

Kam Drummond

Kam Drummond has been with the Mars Hill University Social Work Program Advisory Board since 2021. She earned her associate degree in human services and technology at AB-Tech and then obtained her Bachelor of Social Work degree here at Mars Hill University. Kam is also in the process of earning a graduate level degree in mental health and wellness. Kam currently works as a Buncombe County government employee where she is the supervisor for intake and triage at the Buncombe County Family Justice Center. In her field, she can specialize as a crisis and trauma social worker, ensuring that crimes are prevented, and victims of crime and abuse get the proper support that they need. Kam also has previous experience working in health and human services as a case manager, ensuring that disadvantaged individuals in her community have access to government assistance and proper living conditions at home. The best part about doing social work for Kam is the feeling of being a part of a village of support, where everyone can bring something to the table to make sure the community is getting all the support it needs.

Betsy Finger

Betsy Finger received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio Wesleyan University and her master’s in social work from the University of Michigan. Throughout her career she worked as a social worker in various fields such as home health, hospice, substance abuse, hospital setting, and a retirement community with older adults. Betsy says it is an honor to serve on the MHU Social Work Advisory Board and have the opportunity to work with people commited to the fiedl and to doing the best for students. She believes social workers are needed more now than ever, and they need to be as courageous as they possibly can be.

Lisa Harper
Lisa Harper has been a member of the Mars Hill University Social Work Program Advisory Board since 2024. She obtained her associate degree in human services from AB-Tech, and her Bachelor of Social Work from Mars Hill University. Lisa also earned her Master of Social Work at the University of New England. She currently works for Clarvida as a team leader for community support in mental health and substance abuse, with goals of becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist. Lisa has a strong background in social work, working at DSS for almost twelve years, with ABCCM as a case manager for homeless vets, and with Costello House to assist with sober living programs. Lisa also has experience with non-profit Mount Zion in assisting single African American mothers in outreach. She enjoys interviewing and presenting to students, and the positive changes Mars Hill brings to her life and wants to give back to the community. The best thing about being a social worker for Lisa is being able to help the people in her communities feel as passionate and thrilled as she does.

Shamika Howard

Shamika Howard has been a part of the Social Work Program Advisory Board here at Mars Hill University for eight years, since 2018. She is a Mars Hill graduate as well, earning her bachelor’s degree in social work through the Adult and Graduate Studies program at the university. Shamika is currently working for Vaya Healthcare overseeing Medicaid and health care services. Vaya Healthcare is an Licensed Managed Entity (LME) and Managed Care Organization (MCO) that provides behavioral health and health care networking support that is accessible, respectful and high quality. She also has a background in supporting individuals with mental health illness and intellectual disabilities. The most important thing about being a social worker to Shamika is being able to provide support to those who are in need, while helping people to build a plan and sense of purpose that is in line with their own personal vision in life to make goals that can bring personal fulfillment through support.

Carson Jones-McCracken

Carson Jones-McCracken serves as the 2025-2026 co-president of the Social Work Club. She is a senior at Mars Hill University. Carson completed her junior internship with Child Protective Services at Buncombe County Health and Human Services. Carson plans to earn her Master’s in social work and be a therapist specializing in trauma and crisis, because she believes trauma-informed care is something greatly needed in our community.

Alanna Kinsella

Alanna Kinsella has been a member of the Mars Hill University Social Work Program Advisory Board since 2024. She graduated from Mars Hill University in 2014 with her B.S.W. She currently works for Homeward Bound of Western North Carolina as the director of homeless services. Alanna has experience working the field with humans experiencing homelessness or housing instability. These individuals can include specific barriers such as: mental health, substance use, disabled, aging and elderly, criminal justice involved, and unaccompanied minors. She has worked with HBWNC since her junior internship in the MHU social work program in 2014. She has worked as homeless service case manager, housing case manager, permanent supportive housing (PSH) program manager, and assistant director. Alanna says that the years in the field helped prepare her for her current role as director of homeless services. Prior to living in North Carolina, she worked with domestic violence survivors. When asked what excites her the most about the social work field she shared, “Social work is so dynamic and works with so many diverse humans. It is amazing to watch humans grow and accomplish goals while connecting with professionals that empower and advocate for change. It is amazing to see how people overcome adversity and develop stronger relationships in their community to impact not only personal growth but community growth/change as well.”

Jerrie McFalls

Jerrie McFalls has been a member of the Mars Hill University Social Work Advisory Board since December of 2016. She earned her B.S.W. from Western Carolina University in 1980. She is currently also a member of the Henderson County DSS Board. Before retiring, Jerrie had 44 years of experience and served as the director for Henderson County DSS. While working for DSS she handled many aspects of the field including adult welfare but specialized in child welfare ensuring that abuse is stopped and families have access to foster care, adoption, and day care services. Jerrie has been able to connect many students in the social work program here to internships with Henderson County DSS, allowing students to receive valuable experiences in social work positions. She enjoys her career as she can get to see firsthand the change that she can bring to families. This change that allows families and their children to stay connected with each other is the most important thing about social work for Jerrie.

Donna Parsons

Donna Parsons has been with the Mars Hill University Social Work Program Advisory Board for seven years, since she became the division’s dean in 2019. Currently Donna is serving at the university as the division dean of the professional and social sciences programs and is the associate provost for Adult and Graduate Studies. She has been surrounded by social work her whole life growing up in an Ashville city family of social workers and has an extensive background in applying business and social work. For Donna, the most important part about being a social worker is ensuring that you understand that it is a broad field with many paths, each greatly needing social workers to help the people of our communities.

Jan Zboyoski

Jan Zboyoski has been with the Mars Hill University Social Work Program Advisory Board for eight years, since 2016. She earned her B.S.W. at Mars Hill University in 2008, and in 2021 earned her master’s in clinical mental health and expressive art therapy at Appalachian State University. Now retired, Jan has an extensive background working in social work for over 25 years. She specialized in Progressive Education Programs (PEP) for special education students in public schools. During her time working for these schools, she helped to organize events to make sure these students felt included in their community, as well as representing them outside of school in hospitals and courts. Jan enjoys being a social worker as she can serve others by helping them to feel fulfilled through a sense of love and justice. Bringing people together and making a difference through positive community change is the best thing about being a social worker for Jan.