Dr. John Paul “JP” Jameson, a faculty member at Appalachian State University, has received the 2025 Gov. James E. Holshouser Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Service from the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors. The award recognizes his efforts to improve access to mental health care services in rural communities across Western North Carolina.
The Holshouser Award, established in 2007 and named after North Carolina’s 68th governor, honors faculty members from the UNC System’s 17 institutions who demonstrate sustained achievement in public service and outreach that enhances quality of life for residents.
Jameson, a licensed clinical psychologist and professor of psychology, accepted the award from UNC System President Peter Hans during a board meeting on February 26 in Raleigh.
“Dr. Jameson embodies the spirit of the Holshouser Award, putting service at the center of his commitment to our university and our people,” said Hans. “He has improved the quality of mental health care for his fellow citizens in Northwestern North Carolina while inspiring his students to take up the mission of service.”
UNC Board of Governors Chair Wendy Murphy added: “Dr. Jameson has a heart for service, and we couldn’t be prouder to honor him today. His work has had an impact on children and young people across the mountain region, and we are thankful for his dedication.”
For over ten years, Jameson has worked on improving access to mental health care in rural Appalachia and developing strategies to prevent firearm suicides. His initiatives include creating clinical infrastructure for crisis care among children and families, leading suicide prevention training programs, and mentoring future clinicians through teaching and research at Appalachian State University.
Appalachian State Chancellor Heather Norris commented: “Dr. Jameson’s dedication to bridging the gap in mental health care, particularly in rural areas in the western region of our state, has meant more people are living healthier lives today who might otherwise not have been, and more people are enjoying a greater quality of life. It’s hard to imagine a greater contribution to our state and region than that.”
Jameson expressed gratitude for both the recognition and opportunity to serve Western North Carolina: “Public Service has always been central to my work and to my identity as an App State faculty member,” he said. “The mission of our university is truly fulfilled when our teaching and research improve the lives of the people in the communities we serve.” He added: “If we can affect a student’s trajectory now, even slightly, that change could result in a huge difference in where they land well into the future.”
Alongside Dr. Carol Durham from UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Nursing—also honored with this year’s Holshouser Award—Jameson addressed challenges faced by students including poverty, instability at home, limited opportunities as well as recent impacts from events like Hurricane Helene.
“There is no intervention that can erase those realities,” Jameson said regarding these challenges facing local students,“but we can work to equip students with two things that can help them navigate their world — skills to help them with their psychological well-being, and hope that the future can be better.”
As director of ASC Centers (Appalachian Student Counseling Centers), Jameson leads school-based mental health programs throughout rural Western North Carolina; provides cognitive-behavioral therapy free-of-cost; implements suicide risk assessment protocols; offers administrative guidance; delivers training;and supports graduate trainees’ professional development.
Elizabeth Kerley Dunbar—ASC Center program coordinator—praised his leadership:“Dr.Jameson’s leadership directly benefits our most vulnerable children facing mental health challenges.Serving in this capacity is a choice which requires significant time & energy,and without him,we would lose this crucial resource.”
Jameson highlighted collaboration with district student services personnel as essential:“The work…would not be possible without support & collaboration…”
According to data from NC Center on Workforce for Health,Ninety-four outof one hundred counties statewide face shortages among mental health professionals.North Carolina ranks thirty-eighth nationally regarding access.
In additionto building clinical infrastructure locally,Jame son led statewide interventions reducing access tol ethal means among individuals atriskof suicide.This included scaling CALM (Counseling on Access Lethal Means) training throughoutNorthCarolinaandbeyond.Dr.KurtMichael—a collaborator&professor emeritusatAppState—notedthatJamesonisregardedasoneofthecountry’sforemostexpertsonthetopicofpreventingfirearmsuicides.
Teaching remains centraltoJameson’swork.Hecoverscoursesonsuicide,self-injury,&communitypsychology,andmentorsundergraduate&graduatestudentsengagedincommunity-basedresearch.“TheircommitmenttoservingindividualsinunderservedareaswillstrengthentheruralmentalhealthworkforceinNorthCarolinaformanyyearstocome,”hesaid.Dr.CrystalTaylor,codirectorofASCCenters,praisedhisimpact:“Mostimportantlyheisshapingthefutureofclinicalpsychologybybuildingapassionforandas trongcommitmenttoprovidingmentalhealthservicesinruralareas.Hisimpactwillex tendbeyondhisyearsofteachingattheuniversity.”
SincejoiningAppState’sfacultyin2010 ,Jameson’sawardsincludeCollegeofArtsandSciencesFacultyEngagementAward(2020)&WilliamC.StricklandOutstandingJuniorFacultyAward(2015).HisexperienceafterHurricaneHeleneunderscoredthenecessityoffirstmeetingbasicneedsbeforeaddressingmentalhealthsupport.JamesonearneddegreesfromUniversityofGeorgiaandUniversityofPennsylvaniawithpostdoctoralfellowshipatBaylorCollegeofMedicineaffiliateSouthCentralMentalIllnessResearchEducationandClinicalCenter.
Appalachian State University serves over 21,000 students through undergraduate and graduate programs according tothe official website. The university operates campuses spanning 1 ,200 acres designedfor academic,residential,and recreational use.It belongs tothe UniversityoftheNorthCarolinaSystem,and extendsitsreachthroughBoone,Hickory,andonlineprogramsservingstudentsstatewideandoverall.official website . AppStatehasreceivednationalrecognitionforacademics,value,andinnovationfromoutletssuchasU.S.News&WorldReport.Theinstitutionaimstopreparestudentstobecomeengagedglobalcitizensawareoftheiroleinsustainability.official website