Congratulations to the 20 faculty and staff leaders seeking to grow and contribute more to UAB who became the 16th graduating class of the Blaze Leadership Academy in April. The leadership-development program combines team projects, case studies, skill-building, expert speakers and panels, peer-to-peer consultation, and networking opportunities.
Speaking at a capstone presentation April 5, members of the class shared their leadership lessons learned. “Blaze Leadership Academy equipped me with invaluable skills to adapt to change and navigate through challenges with resilience and confidence,” said Shandra Keith Coble, DMD, assistant professor in the Department of Endodontics in the School of Dentistry.
“A growth mindset is essential for shaping leadership skills,” said Amy Ellis, assistant controller in UAB Financial Affairs. “Abilities can be developed through effort and learning. Do not take criticism personally, but use it as part of the constructive learning process.”
2024-2025 class nominations open in June
Nominations for the 2024-2025 Blaze Leadership Academy class will open in June. The program is designed for faculty and staff who have been at UAB for a minimum of one year and are experienced senior managers, functional directors, or chairs possessing the potential for more demanding leadership positions within the next two to four years. Candidates are nominated by their senior leader (deans in schools, vice presidents in administrative units). Learn more about the nomination process, selection criteria and the time commitment involved.
Blaze Leadership Academy 2023–2024 cohort
Jason Avery
Clinical Research Administrator III, Department of Epidemiology
School of Public Health
Amy Bickell
Director of Creative Services
UAB Communications and Marketing
Christina Blackmon
Assistant Director of Systems and Operations, Institutional Review Board
UAB Research
Jennifer Braswell Christy, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director of the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Department of Physical Therapy
School of Health Professions
Shandra Keith Coble, DMD
Assistant Professor, Department of Endodontics
School of Dentistry
Felice Cook
Manager for Clinical Research Regulations, Department of Medicine
Heersink School of Medicine
David Dada
Director, Governmental Relations
UAB Finance and Administration
Chad Duke
Director for Research Engineering, Engineering & Innovative Technology Development
School of Engineering
Amy Ellis
Assistant Controller
UAB Financial Affairs
Retta Evans, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Human Studies
School of Education
Ebony Harris
Development Director
UAB Advancement
Holly Holiday-Jones
Assistant Vice President for Institutional Equity and Excellence
Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Jolene King
Assistant Vice President for Facilities Administration and Environmental Health and Safety
UAB Facilities
Bela Patel, DNP
Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing Acute, Chronic & Continuing Care
School of Nursing
Samiksha Raut, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Biology
College of Arts and Sciences
Joshua Robinson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Management, Information Systems and Economics
Collat School of Business
Andreia Stechmann
Assistant Director, Employer Engagement
Collat School of Business
Ruwaldt Viljoen
Assistant Controller
UAB Financial Affairs
Marshey Vincent
HRM Consultant Lead
UAB Human Resources
Brandon Wright
Director, Career Center
UAB Student Affairs