USA News Archive

The USA Black Faculty & Staff Association is hosting its first Education Summit focused on retention to inform underrepresented students at South Alabama about successful strategies to graduate with a degree. It will be held from 9:00am until 12:00pm on April 2, 2022, at the Mitchell Center North Lawn East.

Summit To Support Underrepresented Student Success
March 17, 2022

South's Black Faculty & Staff Association is hosting an inaugural Education Summit on Retention for underrepresented stud ...

New federal grants will help Nursing continue to expand the training it's able to provide the SOUTH SANES, (Sexual Assault Nursing Empowerment and Support) program. The SANES program is designed to train nurses to address the needs of survivors and provide trauma-informed care.

Federal Grants Expand Training for Sexual Assault Response
March 17, 2022

South's College of Nursing received two federal grant awards that will assist in its efforts to educate and certify nurses as ...

An artist rendering of the planned expansion and renovation of the University of South Alabama College of Medicine.

$60 Million Earmarked for College of Medicine Building
March 14, 2022

The appropriation from U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby will help fund construction, which will include a new addition and an extensive re ...

The University of South Alabama is now a partner with Amazon in its Career Choice program which reimburses employees college tuition costs. The program makes is significantly easier for students to realize their dream of earning a college degree.

South Partnering With Amazon
March 22, 2022

The e-commerce giant is making it easier for its employees to earn a college degree by reimbursing tuition costs. ...

The USA National Alumni Association recipients for the 17th annual Distinguished Alumni & Service Awards are, from left, Dr. Carl C. Moore; Martha Peek; USA Health, represented by Owen Bailey and Dr. John Marymont; Harvey L. Barnett; and Maj. Gen. William Joseph “Joe” Hartman.

Alumni, Community Leaders Honored at Distinguished Alumni & Service Awards
March 11, 2022

USA National Alumni Association honored alumni and community leaders at the 17th annual Distinguished Alumni & Service Awards. ...

University of South Alabama mechanical engineering seniors, from left, Madison Bomeke, Hayden Jenkins, Bryson Hatcher, Will Sergeant, Gavin Brown and Evan Moulds work on a 82-inch-long wing that will provide stability for their remote-control cargo plane in the Design, Build, Fly competition.

Design, Build, Fly
March 10, 2022

South mechanical engineering students look forward to flying, landing and unloading a remote-controlled plane they designed and bu ...

The Warren Nicholson Associate Professor Dr. Na Gong, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, left, and Director of the Stokes Center for Creative Writing Dr. Charlotte Pence, associate professor of English, at the University of South Alabama were selected respectively as the 2021-2022 Phi Kappa Phi’s Scholar of the Year and Artist of the Year

Phi Kappa Phi Presents Scholar and Artist Awards
March 9, 2022

South's Phi Kappa Phi chapter has selected Dr. Na Gong as Scholar of the Year, and Dr. Charlotte Pence as Artist of the Year. ...

Philanthropist and longtime University of South Alabama supporter, Abraham Mitchell is funding two new undergraduate programs that will be housed in the School of Computing and the College of Education and Professional Studies.

Mitchell Supporting Two New Undergrad Programs
March 8, 2022

Bachelor of Science programs in Industrial Management and Technology as well as Organizational Leadership will be offered. ...

Dr. Matt Howard, an associate professor in the University of South Alabama's Mitchell College of Business has been selected as one of 55 winners for the Association for Psychological Science Rising Star Award.

A Rising Star
March 8, 2022

South Assistant Professor Dr. Matt Howard has been selected for the Association for Psychological Science Rising Star Award. ...

A research team of nursing faculty and USA healthcare professionals led by Associate Professor Dr. Joyce Pittman received a research grant from Smith & Nephew, a company that designs and manufactures technology to help patients have a better quality of life.

College of Nursing & USA Health Study Pressure Injury Prevention
March 4, 2022

The study led to the creation of a gap analysis instrument to evaluate pressure injury practices and can be used nationwide. ...

Dr. Martha Arrieta, director of research for the USA Center for Healthy Communities, stands in front of the center.

Poverty and Public Health
March 3, 2022

At the USA Center for Healthy Communities, Dr. Martha Arrieta has spent nearly 20 years working to reduce health disparities in po ...

Christina Johnson, who teaches drama and costume design at South, works on a Mardi Gras gown at the Revelry Bloom studio in Mobile. The elaborate costume, inspired by the movie “Maleficent,” has been chosen for display at the Mobile Carnival Museum.

Fit for a Queen
February 25, 2022

Christina Johnson, who teaches costume design in the department of theatre and dance at South, helps design elaborate Mardi Gras g ...

Dr. Matthew Pettway, an assistant professor of Spanish at the University of South Alabama, will discuss his research and present details in his latest book “Cuban Literature in the Age of Black Insurrection: Manzano, Plácido and Afro-Latino Religion,” 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at the Pensacola Museum of Art.

Pettway to Speak on Cuban Literature in the Age of Black Insurrection
February 22, 2022

South assistant professor will share his analysis on the African roots of Cuban carnival in this upcoming talk in Pensacola. ...

After graduating from the University of South Alabama, Rachel Burdine joined the Peace Corp and traveled to Cameroon. Today she works for World Relief as a program officer supporting the organization’s network of offices resettling refugees.

Peace Offering
February 22, 2022

Rachel Burdine, an international studies graduate, always wanted to travel and serve vulnerable populations. She started in the Pe ...

Herbert “Mannie” Pair III, a graphic design graduate of the University of South Alabama, has some of his work exhibited at the Marx Library through the end of the month.

Artist Returns to South
February 18, 2022

A Marx Library exhibit features the folk art and fabric designs of Herbert "Mannie" Pair III, a Mobile artist and galler ...

University of South Alabama Study Abroad students will receive free passports. The free passport project is a collaborative effort between the Office of International Education and the Institute of International Education. Several of them will also be featured on the new podcast “Spilling the Tea on Travel.” Pictured from left: Amiaya Ross, Jacksonville, Ala; Hanna Dudley, Saraland, Ala; Kya Richardson, Hoover, Ala; Eight Mile, Ala; Corian Evans, Eight Mile, Ala; and Abby Sargent, Milton, Fla.

South Students Receive Free Passports to Study Abroad
February 16, 2022

25 students will get opportunities for new experiences as they receive free passports for future Study Abroad educational journeys ...

Deforestation Rises in the Rainforest
February 15, 2022

The research of Dr. Gabriel de Oliveira, published in Science magazine, suggests there has been a dramatic increase in the defores ...

Benjamin Shamback, a professor in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of South Alabama, currently has artwork on display in an exhibit titled “Comfort Food: Still Life Paintings.

South Professor's Artwork on Display in New Orleans
February 10, 2022

Benjamin Shamback, a professor in the Art & Art History department, has artwork on display at the LeMieux Galleries in New Orl ...

Nicole Baranov, a kindergarten teacher at Hutchens Elementary School and South alumna, received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She is just the eleventh teacher from Mobile County to receive the honor in its 40-year history.

South Alumna Receives a National Award for Teaching
February 10, 2022

Nicole Baranov is named one of 108 winners of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. ...

Dr. Kenneth Hudson, associate professor of sociology and social work at the University of South Alabama, urges students to challenge conventional wisdom using data. “I spend a lot of time looking at numbers, what I call the view from 33,000 feet. ... And there are certain kinds of questions where you have to land the plane, get out and walk around and talk to people.”

'Good Jobs and Bad Jobs'
February 9, 2022

Dr. Kenneth Hudson, an associate professor of sociology and social work at South, studies the dual labor market, income inequality ...

Darlene Lewis, who earned a bachelor's degree and then a master's in school counseling from the University of South Alabama, works with students at Blount High School in Prichard, her hometown.

'This Is My Place'
February 4, 2022

Darlene Lewis turns two education degrees at South into professional success — and personal satisfaction — by guiding ...

The University of South Alabama celebrates the history and heritage of African Americans throughout February with activities, speakers, exhibitions and more. All are open to the public and free of charge. This year's theme is "Better Together."

South Celebrates Black History Month 2022
February 4, 2022

Free events will be held on campus throughout the month of February celebrating African American history and heritage. ...

University of South Alabama journalist-in-residence, Cynthia Tucker will be honored at the Monroeville Literary Festival in March with the 25th Harper Lee award. Given annually to a writer with an Alabama connection, the award is named for Monroeville native and author of the literary classic, '"To Kill A Mockingbird."

Tucker Wins Harper Lee Award
February 1, 2022

Tucker named the 25th Harper Lee Award winner given annually to outstanding writers with connections to the state of Alabama. ...

The Mobile Arts Council has recognized South alumna Amanda Youngblood for her dedication to the arts in education and arts advocacy in the community.

Mobile Arts Council Recognizes South Alumna
January 28, 2022

University of South Alabama alumna, Amanda Youngblood received "The Arty" for her dedication to the arts in education. ...

Mobile County Public Schools have named their 2022 Teachers of the Year. From left; Jaime Bosarge, Bryant High School; William Edmonds, Barton Academy; Kelly Parker, Tanner Williams Elementary School. All three teachers are University of South Alabama alumni.

South Alumni Named Teachers of the Year
January 28, 2022

Three former South students are honored by the Mobile County Public School System after being nominated by their peers. ...

University of South Alabama student volunteers in the Mitchell College of Business will interview clients, prepare tax returns from client provided documentation. They receive internship credit that satisfies the experiential learning requirement toward a bachelor's degree.

Student Volunteers to Prepare Tax Returns
January 28, 2022

Upper-division accounting students taking part in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program providing free tax preparation. ...

Timothy Holden, who earned a degree in electrical engineering at the University of South Alabama, is a contractor at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado.

Space Force Career Launched
January 28, 2022

Timothy Holden served in the Marine Corps and as a police officer before earning his engineering degree at South. His job as a Spa ...

Dr. Elena Pavelescu shows the logic activity she created called "A Game of Cats" that was awarded the third place Rosenthal Prize. Sponsored by the National Museum of Math, the Rosenthal Prize recognizes the most innovative math educators from around the world who are creating engaging, hands-on lesson plans for elementary and middle school students.

National Museum of Mathematics Honors South's Pavelescu
January 24, 2022

Dr. Elena Pavelescu was recently awarded the third place Rosenthal Prize for Innovation and Inspiration in Math Teaching. ...

University of South Alabama doctoral student Kim Pusey says her work in areas of social justice has been fueled by her own upbringing and observations of race and the criminal justice system. “Part of my work, part of the research I do, is in service of trying to make things better for little black and brown kids,” she said.

Studies in Social Justice
January 24, 2022

Kim Pusey chose South for graduate school because of an opportunity to work with at-risk youths. She now plans for it to be her ca ...

Dr. Kern Jackson, director of USA's African American Studies program, co-wrote and co-produced the film "Descendant" premiering January 20-30, 2022 at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT.

South Professor's 'Descendant' Premieres at Sundance Film Festival
January 18, 2022

Dr. Kern Jackson will be recognized for his work on the film featuring the slave ship Clotilda and Africatown community. ...

Brittney Dixon, in front of the Center for Fair Housing in Mobile, says housing choice plays a critical role in equality. “Housing can affect whether you have a grocery store in your neighborhood, or good schools, or even sidewalks,” she said.

Home Front
January 17, 2022

South graduate Brittney Dixon fights discrimination through education and enforcement at the Center for Fair Housing in Mobile. ...

South Celebrates MLK Day with Event Series
January 13, 2022

The University will celebrate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King with a series of in-person and virtual events. ...

Dr. Amy Upton, assistant professor of school counseling at the University of South Alabama, is a passionate advocate for school counselors. The Alabama School Counselor Association recently honored her for an article titled “School Counseling District Supervisors’ Experiences and Perceptions Regarding School Counselor Preparation for Practice.”

Alabama Counseling Association Recognizes South's Upton
January 13, 2022

USA assistant professor receives the Alabama counseling Association's Individual Publication Award at its annual conference. ...

Former Congressman Jo Bonner, seen here walking into the Administration Building, brings political experience and a personal touch to his role as the fourth president of the University of South Alabama.

Meet Jo Bonner
January 10, 2022

The former congressman brings political experience and a personal touch to his role as the fourth president of the University of S ...

Hanna Bobinger, a first-year medical student at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine has been awarded the $8,500 Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi National Fellowship award.

South Med Student Wins National Award
January 3, 2022

First-year med student Hanna Bobinger is recognized for academic success as well as her research and service contributions. ...

University of South Alabama alumna Dr. Deidra Suwannee Dees, the archive director for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, earned graduate degrees from Cornell and Harvard universities.

Working for Her Tribe
January 3, 2022

A bachelor's degree from South led Dr. Deidra Suwannee Dees to a doctorate from Harvard and the position of tribal archivist ...

Kenneth and Diamond Johnson got married in the chapel at USA Health University Hospital during his recovery after being hit by a pickup truck. Kenneth Johnson, a University police sergeant, has since returned to work. The couple has a 3-month-old daughter, Karis.

Healed for the Holidays
December 22, 2021

Kenneth Johnson, who was struck by a truck in March, will celebrate Christmas at South after recovering from his injuries and retu ...

Dr. Michael Chambers, USA associate vice president of research, has been named to the Alabama Innovation Commission board. The Commission was created in 2020 to develop forward-thinking policy recommendations and ideas to create a more robust, inclusive economy that supports entrepreneurship, innovation and technology.

USA's Chambers Named to Alabama Innovation Corporation Board
December 15, 2021

The Commission's goal is to develop forward-thinking policy recommendations and ideas to create a more robust, inclusive econ ...

University Holiday Schedule
January 15, 2021

Most University of South Alabama departments will be closed until Jan. 3, 2022. Academic classes resume Jan. 10, 2022. ...

University of South Alabama Commencement

'This Is Just the Beginning'
December 11, 2021

Gov. Kay Ivey and USA Health CEO Owen Bailey congratulate South's newest graduates and urge them to use their talents to serv ...

Dr. Christine Ruey Shan Lee traces a figure-eight knot with light outside the Mathematical Sciences and Physics Building at the University of South Alabama. Her research in quantum topology earned a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Tied Up In Knots
December 7, 2021

Dr. Christine Ruey Shan Lee is using a grant from the National Science Foundation to continue her research in knot theory. She als ...

Dr. Jason Strickland, an assistant professor of biology at the University of South Alabama, and senior India Hughes helped identify two new snake species — the Tricolor Snailsucker and the Poppyfield Snailsucker — by sequencing snake DNA.

Long Known to Snails, New Snake Species ID'd
December 7, 2021

A South researcher and his undergraduate research assistant, along with a team of researchers in Mexico, identify two unique snail ...

A World of Good
December 7, 2021

Fellowships from Harvard University Press and the Institute for Advanced Study help Dr. Samuel Baker spend a sabbatical writing a ...

Since 1998, the University and USA Health have raised more than $5.7 million for the United Way of Southwest Alabama through its annual campaign.

USA raises $205,676 for United Way of Southwest Alabama
December 6, 2021

More than 1,700 employees and retirees contributed $205,676 to support the 2021 United Way of Southwest Alabama's annual camp ...

A tutor works with another USA student on the 2nd floor of the Marx Library. A five-year, $2.25 million grant will help Student Academic Success institute a new program dedicated to the "Second Year Experience." The goal is increasing retention rates between year two and year three.

USA Lands $2.25 Million Grant To Help Second Year Students
December 3, 2021

The five-year program will focus on the second year experience to help increase retention rates from year two to year three. ...

Dr. Sean Powers, professor and director of the School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, walks the halls of the school's renovated 20,000-square-foot facility. “We have an international reputation. We want to bring new students to South,” he said.

School of Marine and Environmental Sciences Dedicated
December 2, 2021

New academic and research programs are expected to follow as South increases opportunities for students and faculty. ...

College of Education and Professional Studies students will now have help with the Praxis teacher preparation test thanks to a recent donation from PowerSchool.

PowerSchool Donates to College of Education and Professional Studies
December 2, 2021

The cloud-based software company for K-12 education makes an $80,000 donation to help students in teacher preparation programs. ...

Casey Ferguson, a forward for the South Alabama women's basketball team, has been able to benefit monetarily from her popular social media posts following a rule that allows student-athletes to profit off their name, image or likeness.

FergNation Forward
November 29, 2021

A Tik Tok video of Casey Ferguson boiling crawfish helped make her one of the most popular college sports social media personaliti ...

AT&T Alabama contributed $40,000 to support K-12 STEM Hands-On Learning Lab Activities at USA. From left, front row - Lizbeth Stanton, fiber executive, gulf coast region, AT&T; Chris Pennington, southeast regional sales manager, AT&T; Dr. Harold Pardue, interim dean, School of Computing; C. Wayne Hutchens, state president AT&T Alabama; Nikki Donald, CFITS outreach coordinator, School of Computing; Keith Lynn, systems administrator, School of Computing; back row - Matt Coker, client solutions executive II, state of Alabama, AT&T; Glyn Agnew, regional director AT&T Alabama legislative & external affairs.
Photo credit: Mike Kittrell

AT&T Gives $40K For STEM Outreach Program
November 19, 2021

The School of Computing's K-12 STEM Outreach Program strives to motivate and encourage students to pursue STEM related career ...

Dr. Alvin Willams, interim dean of the Mitchell College of Business, stands in front of the college.

Global Interruption
November 19, 2021

Dr. Alvin Williams describes stress on the global supply chain that is causing shortages and delays during the holiday shopping se ...

Full News Archive

Summit To Support Underrepresented Student Success March 17, 2022

Federal Grants Expand Training for Sexual Assault Response March 17, 2022

$60 Million Earmarked for College of Medicine Building March 14, 2022

South Partnering With Amazon March 22, 2022

Alumni, Community Leaders Honored at Distinguished Alumni & Service Awards March 11, 2022

Design, Build, Fly March 10, 2022

Phi Kappa Phi Presents Scholar and Artist Awards March 9, 2022

Mitchell Supporting Two New Undergrad Programs March 8, 2022

A Rising Star March 8, 2022

College of Nursing & USA Health Study Pressure Injury Prevention March 4, 2022

Poverty and Public Health March 3, 2022

Fit for a Queen February 25, 2022

Pettway to Speak on Cuban Literature in the Age of Black Insurrection February 22, 2022

Peace Offering February 22, 2022

Artist Returns to South February 18, 2022

South Students Receive Free Passports to Study Abroad February 16, 2022

Deforestation Rises in the Rainforest February 15, 2022

South Professor's Artwork on Display in New Orleans February 10, 2022

South Alumna Receives a National Award for Teaching February 10, 2022

'Good Jobs and Bad Jobs' February 9, 2022

'This Is My Place' February 4, 2022

South Celebrates Black History Month 2022 February 4, 2022

Tucker Wins Harper Lee Award February 1, 2022

Mobile Arts Council Recognizes South Alumna January 28, 2022

South Alumni Named Teachers of the Year January 28, 2022

Student Volunteers to Prepare Tax Returns January 28, 2022

Space Force Career Launched January 28, 2022

National Museum of Mathematics Honors South's Pavelescu January 24, 2022

Studies in Social Justice January 24, 2022

South Professor's 'Descendant' Premieres at Sundance Film Festival January 18, 2022

Home Front January 17, 2022

South Celebrates MLK Day with Event Series January 13, 2022

Alabama Counseling Association Recognizes South's Upton January 13, 2022

Meet Jo Bonner January 10, 2022

South Med Student Wins National Award January 3, 2022

Working for Her Tribe January 3, 2022

Healed for the Holidays December 22, 2021

USA's Chambers Named to Alabama Innovation Corporation Board December 15, 2021

University Holiday Schedule January 15, 2021

'This Is Just the Beginning' December 11, 2021

Tied Up In Knots December 7, 2021

Long Known to Snails, New Snake Species ID'd December 7, 2021

A World of Good December 7, 2021

USA raises $205,676 for United Way of Southwest Alabama December 6, 2021

USA Lands $2.25 Million Grant To Help Second Year Students December 3, 2021

School of Marine and Environmental Sciences Dedicated December 2, 2021

PowerSchool Donates to College of Education and Professional Studies December 2, 2021

FergNation Forward November 29, 2021

AT&T Gives $40K For STEM Outreach Program November 19, 2021

Global Interruption November 19, 2021