Digital Magazine
Note from the Dean
Dear friends and colleagues,
In this age of accountability for higher education, we often find ourselves touting our accomplishments, sharing our numbers, and reminding folks that the work we do has impact.
This magazine, just like my first year as dean, focuses on the human side of who we are – our challenges and our triumphs. When you finish reading this issue, you will know more about the fabric that holds us together, the grace with which we support each other, and the joy we take in championing our humanity. These are important accomplishments. More than that, these stories illustrate the impact this college has on the people in our community, state, and even nationally and internationally.
Join us in taking a moment to celebrate what truly matters and makes us as unique as snowfall on The University of Alabama campus.
Dean Joyce Alexander
MEET OUR
NEW DEAN
While Dean Joyce Alexander is new to the UA College of Education, the role of dean is one she knows well.
UA CALT dyslexia education program earns national praise
The University of Alabama Certified Academic Language Therapist program garners national recognition as it continues to grow.
College receives 2025 Frank Murray Recognition for Continuous Improvement
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) awarded the College of Education with the esteemed 2025 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement during its annual meeting in Arlington, Va., in September.
This honor highlights the College’s commitment to advancing excellence and equity in educator preparation and ensuring our future educators are equipped to meet the challenges of today’s classrooms.
The award is given annually to education preparation providers who demonstrate evidence and data trends to achieve CAEP accreditation with no stipulations or areas for improvement. Those selected for this recognition advance equity and excellence in educator preparation through purposeful use of self-study procedures and evidence-based reporting that assure quality and support continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 learning.
PRESIDENTIAL WOMEN
Six education graduates who served as National Alumni Association president
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Gandhi-King program closes spring semester with heartfelt reception
CrossingPoints honored at
NDSC's 2024 Big Game Ball
The University of Alabama CrossingPoints program was one of four inclusive postsecondary education programs recognized.
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‘MORE THAN JUST BASKETBALL’
Sport helps brothers Peter and Aaron Berry find stability after an accident changes their lives
From left, Peter Berry, Austin Smith, and Aaron Berry receive their 2023 Men's Wheelchair Basketball National Championship rings.
From left, Peter Berry, Austin Smith, and Aaron Berry receive their 2023 Men's Wheelchair Basketball National Championship rings.
UA Teaching Academy offers professional development for faculty & instructors
The University of Alabama Teaching Academy opened its doors in 2023, becoming a crucial piece in the Capstone's mission to provide a premier education.
Seizing the opportunity
of a lifetime
UA Associate Director of Recreation Facility Operations Darrell Hargreaves, far left, attended the 2024 Paris Paralympics, representing the U.S. as a wheelchair basketball referee.
Retirements
Margie Carroll reflects on her 20-year career with the College
Margie Carroll looks back on her career with the College, cherishing the memories and friendships made and the community built over the years.
Hunt for adventure led Dr. Curtner-Smith to sport pedagogy
Dr. Matthew Curtner-Smith's career in education moved from the U.K. to the U.S. and, eventually, to The University of Alabama.
Dr. Fowler's 30 years in education sparked by desire to help others
Dr. Lisa Fowler’s drive to make a difference never wavered as it carried her throughout her 30 years as an educator.
Dr. Matherson retires after a decade with the College
What began as a temporary clinical associate professorship with the College evolved into a 10-year career for Dr. Lisa Matherson, filled with friendship, success, and cherished memories.
Dr. Wilson's
32 years with College a labor of love
Family and friends, colleagues and former students gathered one March afternoon to share stories and congratulations, celebrating Dr. Liza Wilson's career in education ahead of her retirement.
Dr. Casar Rodriguez featured in short film about rock climbing
Dr. Miguel Casar Rodriguez, assistant professor of qualitative research, makes an on-screen appearance in Bing Liu's 2023 documentary called “What the Hands Do”.
The short film follows Casar Rodriguez and his wife, Mariana Mendozac, both dedicated climbers and social justice advocates, as they consider how the sport of climbing can help bring positive change to communities across the world.
“What the Hands Do” is available to watch at patagonia.com/stories/what-the-hands-do/video-143221.html.
Faculty & Alumni
Dr. Aguiar featured in fitness articles on rucking, exercise 'snacking'
Dr. Elroy Aguiar, assistant professor of exercise science, was featured in UK Independent articles on fitness topics like rucking and exercise "snacking."
Aguiar highlights rucking’s benefits for strength and bone density and shares insights on incorporating short, daily workouts to improve fitness, emphasizing gradual progression and reducing sedentary time for overall health.
Dr. Hyemin Han and others listed as top-cited researcher in respective fields
A 2023 list compiled by Stanford researchers featured Dr. Hyemin Han, associate professor of educational psychology and educational neuroscience, in the Top-2% of cited researchers in his field.
Other UA College of Education faculty members featured for their relative fields that year were Professor of Special Education Dr. Lucy Barnard-Brak, Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling Dr. Emily Lund, and Professor of Sport Pedagogy Dr. Matthew Curtner-Smith.
Dr. Carl Hancock to be inducted into Alabama Music Educators Hall of Fame
Dr. Carl Hancock, professor and head of the Department of Music Education, has been selected by the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA) Governing Board to join the AMEA Hall of Fame.
This honor represents Hancock's outstanding contributions to music education in Alabama as well as his service to AMEA over the years.
Hancock will receive a plaque during the annual AMEA Professional Development Conference at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in January 2025.
Dr. Tongi Mugoya awarded fellowship, collaborating on CADFP project in Kenya
Dr. Tongi (George) Mugoya, associate professor of rehabilitation counseling and the program coordinator of the Counselor Education Program, is currently in Kenya working on a project as part of the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP).
The Institute of International Education selected Dr. Mugoya to be a fellow in the CADFP, a scholar exchange program where African higher education institutions host a diaspora scholar for 14-90 days as they work on educational research projects.
For his project, Dr. Mugoya is in Kenya collaborating with Dr. Rose Otieno at Kisii University to create a Post-Graduate Diploma in Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders.
Dr. Stran's grant will analyze using a seating, positioning system with adapted athletes
Dr. Margaret Stran, associate director of the Adapted Athletics program and clinical associate professor in kinesiology, was recently awarded a Lakeshore Sports Science Research grant. Dr. Stran is co-investigator of the grant, which will take a look at using the COMFORMat seating and positioning system with adapted athletes.
The CONFORMat provides accurate, real-time data on pressure distribution and Center of Force trajectory, which helps develop optimal seating and positioning adjustments for each individual.
College alum Mindy Walker named 2024 Alabama History Teacher of Year
UA College of Education alumna and Adjunct Instructor Mindy Walker was named the 2024 Alabama History Teacher of the Year by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. This made her one of 53 finalists for the National History Teacher of the Year Award.
With 20 years of experience in education under her belt, Walker also teaches at Holt High School and is a dual enrollment instructor for Shelton State Community College. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate here at UA in secondary education (history) with the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
The Alabama History Teacher of the Year Award, established in 2004 recognizes exceptional history teachers from elementary through high school for their excellent work.
Jacky Chapman, left, with Teresa Faulkner, right.
Jacky Chapman, left, with Teresa Faulkner, right.
Jacky Chapman receives Rickey Yanaura Crimson Spirit Award
Jacky Chapman, administrative assistant in Advising/Student Services, was honored at the March college-wide meeting with the Rickey Yanaura Crimson Spirit Award for her fierce dedication to the spirit of the College of Education.
The Rickey Yanaura Crimson Spirit Award, renamed in 2007 in honor of Rickey Yanaura, known as “the university photographer” for 25 years, recognizes employees who by actions, words, and deeds, make The University of Alabama an exceptional place to work and learn. Nominees for this award define “Crimson Spirit” by their very presence.
Podcasters create space to share about personal lives, success, dreams, and more
Six ladies from the Gandhi-King Scholarly Exchange Initiative decided to create a podcast, making a safe space share personal stories with hopes of inspiring other women to do the same.
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MICHAEL LAWSON RELEASES NEW ALBUM
Dr. Michael Lawson capped his return to music this summer with new album “Tennessee River Shakedown.”
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Music education student enlists in National Guard, on way to becoming U.S. Army musician
Congratulations to Mandie Sanders, a junior music education student and saxophonist in the Million Dollar Band, who passed her 151st Army Band audition and has enlisted in the Alabama National Guard!
She will leave in January to complete 10 weeks of Army Basic Training at Fort Sill, Okla., then 10 weeks of Advanced Individual Training at the U.S. Army School of Music in Virginia Beach, Va.
Sanders also scored highly on her ASVAB and received college first to complete the remainder of her MUE B.S. in Instrumental Music when she returns to finish the degree in Fall 2025.
NATIONAL CHAMPS ONCE AGAIN
This spring, the Alabama Adapted Athletics women’s wheelchair basketball team won their fourth consecutive national championship. The women celebrated a 75-57 victory against the University of Texas at Arlington on March 9, which brought the Tide’s championship total to nine and made it their fifth national title win in six years.
Team USA snags silver in women’s basketball at the 2024 Paralympics
UA women’s wheelchair basketball athletes Abby Bauleke, Bailey Moody and Ixhelt Gonzalez as well as head coach Ryan Hynes, assistant coach Lindsey Zurbrugg and athletic trainer Alex Curry traveled to Paris this summer to compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games. With their help, Team USA brought home silver after securing the No. 2 spot. With this silver-medal win, the U.S. earned its third-straight medal in women’s wheelchair basketball.
IN MEMORY
Credits
Managing Editor: Dr. Rebecca Ballard
Associate Editor & Writer: Kelcey Sexton
