Meet Your Support Team - College Credit in High School

Staff

Victoria Whitfield Lewis, PhD

Director

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UA Early College
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Dr. Victoria Whitfield Lewis is a Tuscaloosa native. In her role as director, she oversees all of UA Early College. She has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Secondary Education- English/Language Arts, as well as a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction. She spent many years working as an administrator and a high school English teacher. Students and parents contact her when special circumstances arise that are outside the scope of another staff members' expertise. She enjoys hearing about the positive experiences of UA Early College from students and parents. Fun fact: Dr. Whitfield Lewis is a proud three-time alum of The University of Alabama.

Pam Mixon

Assistant Director

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UA Early College
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Pam Mixon is from Hamilton, Alabama. She has a bachelor’s and a master’s in Secondary Education, as well as a master’s in Educational Administration and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership. As the assistant director, she oversees student achievement and co-oversees the Summer On Campus program (SOC). In addition, she works closely with high school counselors and UA faculty to ensure students have the resources they need to be successful. Students and parents contact her when they have questions about courses or the SOC program. Fun fact: Pam has four grandchildren and can be found at most sporting events cheering on the Tide.

Jennifer Hayes

Assistant Director - Recruiting and Marketing

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UA Early College
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Jennifer Hayes is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She works with our recruiting specialists and marketing team to outline recruiting and communication efforts for students and families across the state of Alabama and the United States. In addition, she builds relationships with high school counselors, school administrators and members of the Parent Leadership Council. Students or parents may call her if they have questions about communication or events. Hayes enjoys the team-focused efforts her job presents, ensuring students are able to receive the best from the program. Fun fact: Jennifer loves to pull practical jokes on friends and family.

Demitrius Barksdale

Academic Advisor - North Alabama and out-of-state

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UA Early College
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Demitrius Barksdale has lived in Central Alabama for over 10 years, but he is originally from the small town of Brewton, Alabama. He has a background in clinical counseling and serves our students as an academic advisor. Demitrius enjoys working with students and families to navigate their academic options. As students decide which courses to take and plan their academic futures, Demitrius is there to help. He is an extrovert and enjoys meeting new people, public speaking, working out with his brother, and exploring his creativity in the kitchen, as a self-acclaimed chef! Fun fact: After graduating high school, Demitrius wanted to attend Johnson & Wales to become an executive chef.

Lee Carter

Enrollment Coordinator

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UA Early College
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Lee Carter is from Butler, Alabama. She’s been with UA Early College since it began in 2009. In her position, She admits students, awards scholarships, coordinates classes and helps students enroll in those classes. Students contact her when they need help enrolling in a class. Parents contact her if they have questions about their student's account information. She most enjoys allaying the fears of students and parents regarding higher education, and she’s also proud to represent UA with the highest degree of integrity. Fun fact: Lee, her two children and her daughter-in-law are all graduates of UA.

Sergio Ceja

Recruiting Specialist - Central Alabama and Central U.S.

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UA Early College
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Sergio Ceja’s hometown is Lexington, Nebraska. As a UA Early College Recruiting Specialist, Sergio travels across the Central Alabama territory, sharing with students and their families what makes UA Early College so special. Students, parents and counselors contact him to learn about the perks of taking college courses as a high school student or to schedule high school visits. He loves to assist students in making their dreams become reality by helping them transition from high school to college. Fun fact: Sergio is fluent in both English and Spanish. He would also like to learn Danish, Italian and Japanese someday.

Karley Fernandez

Program Coordinator - Summer Programs

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Karley Fernandez is from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. As the Program Coordinator of Summer Programs, she oversees, plans, coordinates and promotes the Summer On Campus and LEAP programs. Students reach out to her if they are interested in or are participating in either summer program. Parents may contact her for any information regarding the programs or their students’ participation in SOC or LEAP. She enjoys watching students grow academically, socially and emotionally as they prepare for their college careers. Fun fact: She has a love for lyricism and has written 500+ songs, but has never attempted to publish them.

Leslee Griggers

Academic Advisor - South Alabama

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UA Early College
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Leslee Griggers enjoys visiting her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama. As an academic advisor for UA Early College, she helps students choose courses based on their anticipated major. She is also the dual credit contact for high school counselors and students in her territory. Each time students want to register for courses with UA Early College they will schedule an advising appointment with her. She enjoys giving students the support and guidance they need to successfully transition into college and achieve their academic goals. Fun fact: Leslee loves dancing and is always up for a good pun. Listen to her carefully, she will sometimes slip into a random accent!

Wendy Hoggle

Academic Advisor - Central Alabama

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UA Early College
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Wendy Hoggle's hometown is Cleveland, Ohio. As an academic advisor, her role is to assist students with course selection based on their anticipated major. She also serves as the dual credit contact for high school counselors and students. Students that want to take a course with UA Early College schedule an advising appointment with her in each semester (parent involvement is welcome). She finds it most rewarding to see the students grow academically. Fun fact: In her spare time, Wendy is a bona fide cake boss.

Patti Meggs

Program Assistant

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UA Early College
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Patti Meggs is a native of Pinson, Alabama. Her primary responsibility is maintaining the internal student database and updating student records for UA Early College. She is a primary point of contact for students and parents with general questions about the program and for any questions regarding the application/admission process. Anytime she gets to meet UAEC students and hear their stories of success, it brings her joy. Fun fact: Not only is she an Early College employee, she is also an Early College parent.

John Adam Page

Database Marketing Coordinator

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UA Early College
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John Adam Page is from Phenix City, Alabama. His job involves working on marketing campaigns and prospective student communication, including maintaining the UA Early College website. Students and parents may communicate with him if they send the office a question by email. They may also see him at recruiting events or on-campus functions. He enjoys helping students get a head start on their college experience and working with the UA Early College staff and faculty. Fun fact: He loves outdoor activities, water sports and travel.

Lindsey Porter

Program Assistant

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UA Early College
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Lindsey Porter is from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Her primary roles at UA Early College are managing financial and budget information, ordering supplies and packing for all events, and managing recruiting materials. Additionally, she assists with responding to parent and student inquiries and is actively involved in the LEAP program. Students and parents may call her if they have general questions about Early College. She enjoys all the interactions she has with students and parents as well as working with the rest of the UAEC staff. She says the people involved in the program are who make UAEC a rewarding place to work. Fun fact: Lindsey loves Brussels sprouts almost as much as she loves spending time outdoors with her husband Brantley and their two dogs, Lucy and Birdie

Arsheba Sanders

Office Associate

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UA Early College
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Arsheba Sanders has always called Tuscaloosa home. She is often the first point of contact for parents and students that have questions about the application process or accessing their coursework or needed documents. She also assists with processing applications and supports all of the staff in UA Early College. She has a love for helping high school students start their college career. Fun fact: Arsheba enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves live music and is a regular around town listening to her favorite R&B and jazz bands.

Emory Wicks

Student Success Coordinator

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UA Early College
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Emory Wicks hails from Montgomery, Alabama. As the Student Success Coordinator, she helps our Early College students transition from high school academics into college-level learning. Her role is to promote student achievement by providing resources and tactics on how to excel in college courses. Students reach out to her for assistance in classes or help with time management and study skills. She can show students how to create goals and plans that will keep them on track in their academic work. Getting to know students and providing the encouragement and support they need is what she most looks forward to each day. Fun fact: Emory has an insatiable sweet tooth and loves to sing karaoke.

Hunter Winslett

Recruiting Specialist - North Alabama and Western U.S.

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UA Early College
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Hunter Winslett's hometown is originally Calera, Alabama. He now calls Tuscaloosa home and serves as a Recruiting Specialist for the North Alabama territory. Students, parents or counselors may contact him to find out more information about earning college credit while in high school or to have him visit your school. He loves helping high school students grow academically and prepare for a successful future. This includes assisting high school students with their transition to college and fostering confidence in their own abilities. Fun fact: Hunter was previously a Waffle House cook for a summer while in college, so he knows how to make a top notch breakfast. “Order up!”

Faculty

Stefanie Buckner

UAEC 200

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Stefanie Buckner comes from Nashville, Tennessee. She works as a UAEC 200 College Readiness Course instructor and has done so for the past year. She has a bachelor's degree in English and a master's degree in Theological Studies. Before coming to The University of Alabama, she worked as a high school English teacher. She’s married with a 14-month-old daughter. In her spare time, she enjoys running, writing poetry, and watching football (Roll Tide!)

Tracy Hinton

UAEC 200

UA Early College
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Dr. Tracy Hinton is from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and serves as an instructor for the UAEC 200 College Readiness Course. Her experience includes 21 years as a middle/high school Career Technologies and English teacher and a School Library Media Specialist, as well as three years as an adjunct instructor at The University of Alabama. She has a PhD in Instructional Leadership with a concentration in Instructional Technology from The University of Alabama. She has four children and is an active member in her church. In her spare time, she enjoys walking, crocheting, cooking and watching Alabama football and the Million Dollar Band.

Kathleen M. Morris, PhD

Computer Science

UA Early College
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Dr. Kathleen Morris calls Tuscaloosa, Alabama home. For the past 14 years, she’s been an instructor in The University of Alabama Department of Computer Science. She is a coordinator and instructor for CS 102 courses online and on campus. She has a PhD in Educational Leadership, Policy and Technology Studies with a concentration in Instructional Technology. She is married with a daughter at UA and a son in high school (he’s in UA Early College, too!). Her free time involves serving on the advisory board for the Tuscaloosa Career and Technology Academy, advising a UA sorority, being outside, pet rescue and cheering on the Crimson Tide at any opportunity.

John Ratliff, PhD

History

UA Early College
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Dr. John Ratliff is from Pace, Florida. He’s worked at The University of Alabama as a History instructor for six years. He also will answer to the following titles: Generalissimo, Admiral of the Ocean Sea and Mr. Incredible. He has a bachelor's degree, master's degree and doctoral degree. Aside from teaching UA Early College students, he also develops and maintains the online course curriculum in survey courses for the history department and serves as the webmaster for the history department. He’s married with one son.

Deborah Schwartz

English

UA Early College
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Deborah Schwartz is from Dothan, Alabama. She’s worked at The University of Alabama for over 11 years and has spent the past six years teaching English for UA Early College. She is an alumna of Troy University and earned a master's degree in English Education. Deborah is currently a doctoral student in The University of Alabama College of Education’s Curriculum and Instruction program. She is a member of the National Council for Teachers of English and the Sloan Consortium, an organization committed to quality online education. She is married and has two children and two grandchildren and enjoys gardening, water activities and Alabama football.

Claire Thompson, PhD

Anthropology

UA Early College
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Dr. Claire Thompson is from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She's been teaching at The University of Alabama for over seven years. She recently became an Anthropology instructor for UA Early College. She has a bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University, a master's from Florida State University and a PhD from The University of Alabama. Her husband is also an employee at The University of Alabama, and they have two children. Dr. Thompson's academic interests include the following: Southeastern archaeology, pottery analysis, prehistory of Moundville and the instruction of secondary and higher education.

Kim Wright

Computer Science

UA Early College
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Kim Wright is from Montgomery, Alabama. She has worked at The University of Alabama for over 18 years. She teaches Computer Science classes for UA Early College. Kim has bachelor's and master’s degrees in Math Education. Before beginning her work as an instructor at the University, she was a high school math teacher and worked as an Assistant Research Engineer in the Computer Science department at UA. Kim’s son is a freshman at UA and her daughter is a senior in high school. She has one dog and one cat. She is also a member of Northwood Church of Christ.

Amanda Snyder

English

Allison Scrivner, PhD

Psychology

Rita Yessick

English

UA Early College
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Rita Yessick is from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. She’s worked as a UA Early College English instructor for a year and a half. She’s worked at The University of Alabama since 1999. She has a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. Rita is married to Michael. They have two sons, Kevin and Tyler. When not teaching, she bakes and decorates cakes. She also spent many years as a florist.