Rachael Smallwood is finishing her Ph.D. at The University of Alabama in Communication and Information Sciences. She is specializing in Public Relations with a cognate in Sports Management. After graduating from The University of Alabama with her undergraduate degree in 2002, Rachael worked in public relations management for the banking and real-estate industries. In order to further her education and understanding of the field of public relations, Rachael returned to Alabama and received her M.A. in Advertising and Public Relations in 2008. After receiving her M.A. Rachael served as the Recruiting Operations Coordinator for the Athletic Department and coordinated all on-campus recruiting efforts for Alabama Football. Through this position Rachael worked with many students to oversee the coordination of their campus visit and academic interests. This experience encouraged Rachael to pursue her Ph.D. where she could have more of an influence in the classroom experience and student mentorship. Rachael subsequently left the football program in 2012 to focus on completing her Ph.D. Her goal is to use her previous industry experience not only to teach, but also to mentor and guide students through their communications classes, internships and job selection processes. Her current research focuses in the area of sports and health communication with specific interest in pre/postnatal health and wellness. Rachael teaches courses in Mass Communication and APR. She has been married for 11 years and has a daughter who will turn two in July.
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus. A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.
