As a prospective student or
a new student to the UA campus, we know that you need someone to actually talk
with so that you may get more detailed information. Here's a list of our
Graduate Ambassadors. Please feel free to contact them as you need; they will be
very happy to assist you.
Jonathan White is a 43 year old graduate student, originally from
Virginia. He is studying nineteenth century American history and
military history. He recently completed a 22-year career in the Army,
and studying at UA has long been a dream of his. His future career goal
is to teach history, preferably somewhere in the southeast. Contact D.J.
via: djwhite@bama.ua.edu.
American Studies
Sarah Melton is currently a Graduate Council Fellow, and is from
Atlanta, Georgia. She graduated from Emory University in 2006 with a
B.A. in Classical Civilization. She is currently working on a MA in
American Studies. She plans on pursuing a Ph.D. and entering the "wide,
wild, wonderful world of academia." Contact her at:
svmelton@bama.ua.edu.
Anthropology
Mary Spanos is pursuing a Ph.D. in Anthropology. After a career in
computer science and a lifetime fascination with ethnographic textiles,
she came back to school to learn how to research and write about this
fascinating aspect of culture. She earned her B.S. in computer science
at the University of South Alabama and her M.A. in Anthropology at UA,
where she’s been studying since 2004. Contact her at
mary.spanos@ua.edu.
Biological Science
Justin C. Bagley is a second year M.S. student in Biological Science
studying ecology and evolution of fishes. He is from Tuscaloosa, AL, and previously obtained
the B.S. degree in Biological Science from the University of Alabama in
2004. In summer of 2007, he completed a Link Fellowship at the
Smithsonian Marine Station in Fort Pierce, FL. This year, Justin is a
recipient of a National Alumni Association License Tag Fellowship.
Justin can be reached at bagle004@ua.edu.
Chemistry
Meghna Dilip is a PhD student in Chemistry. She is from Chennai,
India. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry in 2001
from the University of Madras, India and her master's degree in
Environmental Science in 2003 from Anna University, Chennai. She can be
contacted at dilip001@bama.ua.edu.
English
Caitlin Lovely is a first-year student in the Hudson Strode
program and is pursuing her MA in Renaissance Studies. She works as a
tutor in the University Writing Center and as an RA to English
department faculty to fulfill her GTA duties. She is also an assistant
fiction editor for the BWR in her spare time. Contact Cait at:
Celovely@bama.ua.edu.
English
Donnie Jones is a Ph.D. student in English with a concentration
in African American/American literature. He is from Jackson, Mississippi
and is in his second year at UA. Contact Donnie at
djones94@bama.ua.edu.
English
Jeremy Ekberg is from Brunswick, GA. He is a second year doctoral
student specializing in Twentieth Century English Literature. His
research interests include the Theater of the Absurd, Postmodernism,
Existentialism, war literature, and world literature. His goal is to
become an English professor. Contact him via:
jeekberg@bama.ua.edu.
English
Kedra L. James is from the Mississippi Delta, specifically, Itta Bena. Currently,
she is in her first year of pursuing a Ph.D. in English, with emphasis
in Composition, Rhetoric, and English Studies at UA. She plans to become
an English professor and later enter department and university
administration, as well. Please contact her via:
kljames1@bama.ua.edu.
English
Norman Golar earned his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing
at the University of Alabama and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in
English (Composition, Rhetoric, and English Studies) at the same
institution. He is a current scholar of the Southern Regional Education
Board Doctoral Scholars program and a former Ronald E. McNair
scholar. He is originally from Chicago and has lived in Tuscaloosa for
six years. The contact e-mail you can use is
norman.golar@ua.edu.
English
Rob Dixon is a Ph.D. student in English who is in his fourth year at
UA. Originally from Mississippi, Rob has also lived in Boston, San
Francisco, and here in Tuscaloosa. He earned his B.A. in English at
UMass Boston and his M.A. at UA. Rob plans to teach English at the
college level and pursue his research interests in American
literature. Rob can be reached at
dixon006@bama.ua.edu.
English
Virginia Murphy is currently in the second year of her master’s degree
in Renaissance
literature. She is from Charlotte, North Carolina and came straight to
graduate school here at UA after finishing her BA at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Currently, she is working on a thesis which investigates the
relationship of the history folly conventions and the way folly is used
in Sir David Lyndsay's Ane Satire of the Thrie Estaitis and Erasmus's
Praise of Folly. She has begun applying to PhD programs and hopes to
begin work on her PhD program next fall. Contact her via:
vhmurphy@bama.ua.edu.
History
Angela Jill Cooley is a Ph.D. candidate in History at the University of
Alabama. She has been at the University for four years, is currently
working on a dissertation, and plans to graduate in June 2009. Upon
graduation, Jill plans to teach American and Southern history at the
university level. She can be contacted at
coole015@bama.ua.edu.
History
David McRae is a Ph.D. student in History. He is originally from
Birmingham, Alabama and has been at the Capstone for 3 years. His
current work focuses on the social, political, and religious history of
the modern South. He may be contacted at:
dbmcrae@bama.ua.edu
History
Steven Corhern is a master’s student in history interested in the
American South and American religion. Originally from Starkville, MS, he
has been in Tuscaloosa since August of 2006. He serves the in the SGA
Senate as a graduate school representative. Steven can be reached via:
sccorhen@bama.ua.edu.
Mathematics
Brandon Ross Morgan is a native of Oxford, MS and a 2007 graduate
of Alcorn State University. He completed a Bachelor of Science degree in
mathematics from Alcorn State University and is currently a first year
graduate student working on a master’s degree in the mathematics at the
University of Alabama. After completing the Master’s Program, he plans
to pursue a doctoral degree in mathematics and later become a professor
of mathematics at a university. Contact him via:
Brmorgan@bama.ua.edu.
Psychology
Brittany Travers is a Ph.D. student in cognitive psychology here
at UA. She is originally from Colorado Springs, CO and received her B.A.
in Psychology and Spanish from Creighton University in Omaha, NE.
Brittany’s career goals are to continue doing research on the cognitive
components of autism and to teach at the university level. Her email is
bgtravers@bama.ua.edu.
Clinical Health Psychology
Courtney Worley is a first year student pursuing a PhD in Clinical
Health Psychology. She recently earned her MPH in Health Behavior from
UAB. Contact Courtney via: cbworley@bama.ua.edu.
Clinical Geropsychology
Michelle M. Hilgeman is a fourth-year pre-doctoral fellow in the
Clinical Geropsychology concentration in the Clinical Psychology
program. She is originally from Memphis, TN and graduated with a B.S. in
psychology from Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, AL. She
earned her master’s in psychology from UA in 2007 and currently works as
a research assistant at the Center for Mental Health and Aging. Contact
Michelle at: hilge001@bama.ua.edu.
Clinical Psychology-Law
Tess Neal is a second-year graduate student in Clinical
Psychology-Law. She moved to Alabama after completing her undergraduate
education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she majored in
Psychology and English. When she finishes graduate school, she would
like to conduct forensic evaluations for the court and also to teach
other students in the university setting. Contact her via
tmneal@bama.ua.edu.
Terra D. Moody,
a Birmingham, AL native, is a dually enrolled master’s and Ph.D. student
in Communication and Information Sciences. She received her B.S. from
the University of Montevallo in Mass Communications. After receiving her
Ph.D., Terra plans to pursue a position in health communication and
media education, and develop television programming for children and
adolescents. Contact Terra via Tmoody6@gmail.com.
International Relations
Feng Sun
is a Ph.D. candidate in International Relations. She is from China. She
will also get a master’s degree in statistics by 2008. Fen can be
contacted at fsun2004@yahoo.com.
Advertising and Public Relations
Tamay Shannon is originally from nowhere. Her mother is in the military; thus, she calls many places her home. She is currently working on her master’s in Advertising and Public Relations. She comes from a liberal arts background. She plans to graduate and get a job working in the advertising industry for a period of time, after which she will get her PhD in advertising and teach at the collegiate level. Contact Tamayt
at tamay.shannon@gmail.com.
Mass Communications
Carly T.
McKenzie is pursuing her Ph.D. in Communication and Information
Sciences (Mass Communications). She is originally from Shreveport, LA
and currently resides in Birmingham. She is currently exploring
political communication and aspires to remain in academia as a professor
and researcher. Contact Carly at
carly.timmons@gmail.com
Ken
Gunnells is a Ph.D. student in Educational Psychology. He is a
native of Alabama, originally from Anniston, but currently living in
Homewood. He is married with three children. Ken completed a master’s
degree in Management Information Systems in 2006 at The University of
Alabama. He also holds a 1996 Executive MBA from Samford University, and
a 1986 Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the
University of Alabama at Birmingham. Ken plans to pursue teaching and
research. Contact Ken via: Ken.Gunnells@ua.edu.
Elementary Education
Maegan
Slaten is a master's student from Somerville, Alabama pursuing a
degree in Elementary Education. She graduated with her B.S. degree in
Elementary Education from the University of Alabama in December
2006. Currently a Graduate Assistant with Creative Campus and an
aerobics instructor at the Student Recreation Center, Megan also serves
as a football recruiting hostess for the Alabama football program.She
may be contacted at slate005@bama.ua.edu.
School Psychology
Jenny Short
is a doctoral student in School Psychology. Originally from Germantown,
Tennessee, she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from
Mississippi University for Women in December of 2002 and her Master of
Arts in Clinical Psychology from Western Kentucky University in December
of 2005. Jenny is currently serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for
two undergraduate Educational Psychology courses, and upon completion of
her doctorate, she aspires to secure employment as a faculty member in a
university setting. Jenny has been at UA since August of 2005. Contact
her at: jenny.short@gmail.com
School Psychology
Sheena N. Jernigan
is a first year Ed.S major in School Psychology, from Smyrna, Georgia.
The recipient of the Graduate Council Fellowship, she is working towards
assisting children, primarily working in elementary schools. Contact her
at: Snjernigan@bama.ua.edu.
Secondary Curriculum and
Instruction
Tammy Crawford Cook
is a Ph.D. candidate whose major focus is Secondary Curriculum and
Instruction in the College of Education. She is from Scottsboro,
Alabama, and taught high school English for ten years at Madison Academy
in Huntsville, Alabama. Her graduate assistantship at UA has allowed her
to teach teacher education courses and serve as copy editor for an
online scholarly journal. Contact Tammy via:
cook004@bama.ua.edu.
Karen Torres
earned a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Alabama in Aerospace
Engineering and Mechanics. She is now pursuing a Ph.D. in Metallurgical
Engineering. She is from Arab, AL. Contact her via:
torre003@ua.edu.
Computer Science
Edward C. Dillon, Jr.
is from a small town in Southwest Mississippi called Bogue Chitto. He
recently received his Bachelor of Art degree in Computer and
Informational Science from the University of Mississippi. Currently, he
is pursuing a master’s degree in Computer Science at the Capstone and
hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in his present field of study. Eventually, he
hopes to go into the computer science industry or continue research
towards the goal of becoming a professor. Contact him via:
ecdillon@ua.edu.
Materials Science and
Engineering
Rupak Das
earned a master's degree in Materials Science and Engineering from
Georgia Institute of Technology and is finishing up his Ph.D. in the
same field here in UA. Rupak is from Atlanta, Georgia and is a recipient
of 'The University of Alabama Graduate Council Research/Creative
Activity Fellowship' and serves as the 'Student Internships' Public
Relations Manager' in the Student Government Association. Rupak can be
contacted at rdas1@bama.ua.edu.
Mechanical Engineering
Kang Cao is
a doctoral student in Mechanical Engineering. Kang is from China and has
been studying in UA since August 2005. He is currently working in the
Exploration Systems Laboratory and researching fundamental heat transfer
behaviors in the Near-Space environment. Kang is a current recipient of
Graduate Council Research/Creative Activity Fellowship and a former
recipient of regular Graduate Council Fellowship. He may be contacted at
kcao@bama.ua.edu.
Tabitha McMullin
is from Montgomery, Alabama. She is a first year graduate student
studying health science. mcmul017@bama.ua.edu
Sports Management
Nancy
Boyd Graves is a Montgomery, Alabama native and 2001 University of
Alabama graduate in Political Science. She is now pursuing a master’s
degree in Sports Management through the College of Human Environmental
Science (HES). She can be reached at ncboyd@bama.ua.edu.
Rosemary Richardson
is pursuing a master’s degree in Nursing Case Management and an Ed.D. in
Instructional Leadership with Nursing Specialization. Her home town is
Pensacola, Florida, and future career goals are to become a Nursing
Educator at the college or university level. She has a Bachelor of
Science in Nursing and a Master of Public Administration. Please contact
her via: richardson@bama.ua.edu.
D. Scott
Batey is a PhD student in Social Work. Scott is originally from
Oxford, Alabama, but now resides in Pell City, Alabama. He completed his
Bachelor of Science degree in psychology in 1993 and his Master of
Social Work ( MSW) degree in 1996, both from The University of Alabama.
Scott's research interests revolve around rural substance abuse issues.
He plans to work in a university setting after completing the PhD.
Contact D. Scott via dsbatey@bama.ua.edu.
Social Work
Juanita L.
Johnson is a MSW student with a concentration in Children,
Adolescents, and their Families. She also received her bachelor’s degree
from The University of Alabama in Child Development. Juanita is
originally from Mobile, Alabama and is also a preschool teacher at
University Church Preschool. Contact Juanita via:
juanitajohnson1@hotmail.com.
Social Work
Sarah Culp
is from Dothan, Alabama and is pursuing a master's degree in the field
of Social Work. She began the Advanced Standing program at UA in June
2007. She is scheduled to graduate May 2008. Her career goals are to
practice social work with low-income, community-dwelling senior
citizens. Contact Sarah at skculp@bama.ua.edu
Social Work
Shani K.
Collins is a Social Work doctoral student. A native of Greenwood,
MS, Shani received a BA in English from Tougaloo College and an MA in
Africana Women’s Studies from Clark-Atlanta University. Shani is a
Graduate Assistant for the Graduate School and the Graduate Ambassador
Coordinator. Upon graduation, Shani plans to pursue a career in higher
education administration and continue her research on African-American
women’s health and social issues. Ms. Collins can be contacted via
skcollins@bama.ua.edu.