Music education student on way to becoming U.S. Army musician, enlists in National Guard
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.
D.CoaD brings festive fun to young learners to pique interest in digital literacy
The Digital, Computational, and Data (D.CoaD) Literacies Lab recently participated in a frightfully fun community outreach event to spark interest in digital literacy.
With a spooky twist, the event featured a mesmerizing robotic candy dispenser and captivating activities like the Banana-Piano circuit, the Launch-a-Rocket game, and a robotic maze.
The D.CoaD team guided young explorers as they delved into the inner workings of these interactive wonders. To fuel their curiosity, each attendee also received a book on robotics, empowering them to read and build their own creations at home.
The group collected more than $1,000-worth of snack items that they assembled into snack kits that went to students at an area elementary school.
The group collected more than $1,000-worth of snack items that they assembled into snack kits that went to students at an area elementary school.
Roll Tide for Reading made more than 175 snack kits for local elementary school students that also included literary activities.
Roll Tide for Reading made more than 175 snack kits for local elementary school students that also included literary activities.
The group collected more than $1,000-worth of snack items that they assembled into snack kits that went to students at an area elementary school.
The group collected more than $1,000-worth of snack items that they assembled into snack kits that went to students at an area elementary school.
Roll Tide for Reading recently made no-sew reading rugs to be used by children during story time at a local daycare center.
Roll Tide for Reading recently made no-sew reading rugs to be used by children during story time at a local daycare center.
Roll Tide for Reading recently made no-sew reading rugs to be used by children during story time at a local daycare center.
Roll Tide for Reading recently made no-sew reading rugs to be used by children during story time at a local daycare center.
Several Roll Tide for Reading students volunteered at an early learning festival in Hoover.
Several Roll Tide for Reading students volunteered at an early learning festival in Hoover.
More than 30 members participated in Read for the Record where they read aloud to students at 3 different local elementary schools.
More than 30 members participated in Read for the Record where they read aloud to students at 3 different local elementary schools.
Some Roll Tide for Reading members have been volunteering individually at the Tuscaloosa Public Library as well as other local locations and programs.
Some Roll Tide for Reading members have been volunteering individually at the Tuscaloosa Public Library as well as other local locations and programs.
Several Roll Tide for Reading students participate in Get On Board Day on campus.
Several Roll Tide for Reading students participate in Get On Board Day on campus.
ROLL TIDE FOR READING ON A ROLL
Roll Tide for Reading has been busy this semester, with members actively volunteering in the community and planning to participate in even more projects and collaborations this December and in the spring.
Students' activities so far this year have included crafting no-sew reading rugs for children at a local daycare center to use for story time, collecting more than $1,000 worth of shelf-stable snacks that were used in snack kits for students at an area elementary school who are experiencing food insecurity, and volunteering at community early learning and literacy events for elementary-age students. Members have also been volunteering individually at the Tuscaloosa Public Library, the RISE Center, as well as for United Way of West Alabama's Success by 6 initiative.
Honors & Achievements
Dr. Carol Donovan to serve as interim director of faculty development
The Office of Faculty Development is pleased to announce that Professor of Literacy Education and MAP Dr. Carol Donovan will serve as interim director of faculty development while Dr. Kelly Guyotte is on sabbatical in Spring 2025.
Dr. Auslander named higher education rep on Ala. math task force
Professor of Elementary Math Education Dr. Susan Auslander was recently appointed by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education as the higher education representative on the state's 19-member Elementary Mathematics Task Force in the Numeracy Act.
Doctoral student Cristal Benitez receives diversity in sports science award
Exercise science doctoral student Cristal Benitez recently received the prestigious 2024-25 Gatorade Sport Science Institute Diversity in Sports Science Award.
Dr. Israel Adandom presents at meeting hosted by Canadian Association on Gerontology
Israel Adandom, an exercise science doctoral student, recently presented at the 53rd Annual Scientific and Educational Meeting of the Canadian Association on Gerontology in Edmonton, AB, Canada. His poster presentation focused on “Examining the mediation and association between physical literacy, mobility outcomes, and demographic factors of Nigerian community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study.”
Mark Your Calendars
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
NOV. 25-29
Thanksgiving Week
Classes dismissed.
UA offices closed Nov. 28-29.
DEC. 7
COE Holiday Party 🎄
6-9 p.m., Tuscaloosa River Market
DEC. 13
Teacher Pinning Ceremony 🍎
4-6 p.m., 118 Lucy
DEC. 23 - JAN. 1
Winter Break
Classes dismissed and UA offices closed.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Student Deadlines
DEC. 6
Classes End for Full Term & Fall 2 📚
This is the last day students can withdraw from the term without needing approval from their college's dean.
DEC. 9-13
Final Exams ✏️
Students can find additional info. and view the exam schedule here.
DEC. 14
Fall Commencement
For instructions and schedule details, visit commencement.ua.edu.
NOTE: For December only, students are permitted to register to pick up a bag on two
dates from the COE Student Food Pantry. You MUST register to be eligible.
Pick-up times are 1-4 p.m. in 101A Carmichael Hall.
Please sign up no later than noon on Tues. for a Wed. pick up or noon on Wed.
to pick up on Thurs. to ensure we have time to prepare the number of bags necessary.
COE students in need of assistance can apply for support here.
Have news or story ideas you want to share? We want to hear from you!
Email Kelcey Sexton at kelcey.sexton@ua.edu.
Visit the official College of Education website at education.ua.edu.