Meghan Wills – Appalachian State University

When General Counsel Paul Meggett left Appalachian State University earlier this year for another opportunity, the legal department continued to function thanks to the tenacity and dedication of the remaining team.

Meghan Wills | Appalachian State University | Associate General Counsel

That team includes associate general counsel Meghan Wills, who says that Meggett is missed but that the university’s legal department is in great hands.

“We have an interim chancellor and an interim general counsel working tirelessly to keep App State moving forward,” Wills says. “I’ve had the opportunity to take on more responsibilities within the office, including engaging with our campus partners to ensure any gaps are filled and ensuring our office continues to be a reliable resource on campus.”

Known for its strong academic programs and rich community ties, Appalachian State is a leading public institution nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. It is a university deeply connected to the culture and people of its region. The school prides itself on a sense of belonging, where the university and the surrounding community are inseparably linked, embodying the spirit of a mountain family. This unique atmosphere informs the university’s mission to provide an exceptional education while fostering a supportive environment for students, faculty, and staff.

Wills is instrumental in overseeing a broad spectrum of legal matters for App State, ensuring the university maintains compliance while achieving its educational and community goals. Her portfolio covers a range of responsibilities, from overseeing athletic-related legal issues to managing App State’s K-12 educational partnerships, including the university’s innovative laboratory schools. Wills’ work spans transactional contracts, policies, Title IX matters, and general equity issues, making her a key figure in safeguarding and aligning the university’s interests with state and federal regulations.

Working across campus

One of Wills’ most significant and impactful projects has been her involvement with App State’s laboratory schools. As part of North Carolina’s initiative to enhance education for underperforming students, App State has operated two laboratory schools, with the flagship being the Academy at Middle Fork. This K-5 school in Walkertown, North Carolina, focuses on helping students from various backgrounds who may have started their educational journeys under challenging circumstances. The goal is to give these young learners the support they need to thrive, leveraging resources and expertise from App State’s College of Education.

Wills works closely with the laboratory schools’ director, handling all legal aspects, from employment, contracts for new educational resources, and lease agreements to service partnerships with parent-teacher organizations and community groups. Her role sometimes involves addressing student disciplinary matters and ensuring the school maintains a positive and effective learning environment. This project has been so successful that App State recently renewed its partnership for another five years.

Another major focus for Wills is overseeing App State’s athletic programs, including the complex and evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals for student-athletes. As universities across the nation grapple with how to navigate the NIL environment, Wills has played a central role in crafting App State’s approach. Her work goes beyond legal compliance; she strives to balance fostering a supportive, family-like atmosphere at App State and engaging in the competitive world of collegiate athletics.

Wills is involved in structuring contracts, managing donor relations, and finding creative ways to retain student-athletes drawn to App State’s tight-knit community. This work often combines traditional student recruitment with the new reality of NIL, ensuring that athletes choose App State not just for financial incentives but for the unique opportunities and experiences the university provides. Her efforts include everything from handling NIL agreements to quirky and memorable events like helping coordinate ziplining the mascot into the football field, a symbol of the university’s vibrant school spirit.

Fostering community connections

Wills’ favorite aspect of her role is the opportunity to interact with a diverse range of people from various backgrounds. They are all united by a common goal: to provide students with the best possible education and overall experience. Whether working with educators at laboratory schools, engaging with K-12 partners on campus, or interacting with donors and trustees in the athletic department, she values the relationships she builds and the collective effort to support the student body.

Wills appreciates the sense of community that defines App State. The university’s integration with its surrounding area makes it a place where people come together to learn, grow, and make a difference. This connection between the university and the local community is apparent in every project she undertakes, reflecting the institution’s mission to return to its educational roots while continuing to expand and evolve.

As the legal department at App State transitions under new leadership, Wills has taken on more responsibilities to maintain continuity and support the university’s initiatives. Recruitment and retention of legal staff are essential to her work, especially given the unique challenges of attracting professionals to the High Country, where housing can be a limiting factor. To address this, Wills and her colleagues have developed creative strategies to make relocating to the area more manageable for new hires, contributing to a stable and committed legal team.

From courtrooms to campus

Wills’ interest in law began in childhood, driven by her knack for arguing and public speaking. She pursued her passion academically, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from Bridgewater College and her law degree from Elon Law School. Captivated by the courtroom, she initially aimed to become a trial lawyer. After law school, she moved to Boone, North Carolina, to work in the District Attorney’s office, where she gained valuable trial experience.

Her career took a pivotal turn when a friend encouraged her to apply for a position at Appalachian State University’s General Counsel’s office. With prior in-house experience at a pharmaceutical company, Wills made the shift and found a perfect fit. She enjoys the diverse challenges of university work and particularly relishes navigating unique and engaging legal scenarios.