Collat Career Center Director Rita Stewart-Hampton has been honored with the UAB Collat School of Business’s Collat Staff Award.
Nominated by Collat faculty and staff and voted on by the business school’s staff, the award honors staff members who exemplify the university’s shared values of collaboration, integrity, respect, excellence and innovation.
Stewart-Hampton, director of the school's embedded career center, was nominated by advisor Daffany Anglin and Karen Kennedy, Collat's interim dean.
“Rita's collaborative spirit is evident in her ability to bring together faculty, staff and external partners to create innovative opportunities for our students,” Kennedy wrote in her nomination letter. “Her work in the Collat Career Center has built bridges between the school and the business world, opening doors for interships mentoring, and professional development.”
Anglin said Stewart-Hampton routinely goes "above and beyond for Collat business students," providing them with resources and guidance for their academic and career success..
Kennedy said Stewart-Hampton is an exceptional leader, advocating for ethical practices and fostering a culture of trust among her staff.
"Students and colleagues alike seek her guidance, knowing she will do what is right even when faced with difficult choices," Kennedy said. "Rita champions respect as she fosters an environment where everyone is welcomed and valued. Her genuine care for the personal and professional growth of others has enriched the Collat Career Center and the entire school community."
Stewart-Hampton joined the UAB Collat School of Business in 2010 following a 13-year career at the Kellogg Company. She earned her bachelor's degree from Jacksonville State University and her MBA from the University of North Alabama.