Congratulations to the 20 faculty and staff leaders seeking to grow and contribute more to UAB who were selected for the latest cohort of UAB’s Blaze Leadership Academy, which launched Sept. 13. The academy is designed to prepare high-potential faculty and staff for senior leadership opportunities and become the stewards of UAB’s future.
This cohort will embark on a journey of learning, growth and collaboration, where they will engage in skill-building, influence, communication and change, and hands-on projects that will shape the future of UAB, says Susan Coan, executive director of Learning and Development.
“We are thrilled to welcome this group of talented individuals who have demonstrated outstanding potential and commitment to leadership development,” Coan said.
Organizational Development Specialist Amber Anderson Grant added: “We are excited to see the positive impact this group will have and the innovative ideas they will bring forward. Let’s all support them as they step into these important roles and contribute to our shared success.”
Blaze Leadership Academy Fall 2024 Cohort
Jacqueline Alexander
Director of Student Media
Office of Student Affairs
Jay Anderson
Development Director Senior-Management Athletics
Office of Advancement
Jeff Bridges
Facilities Manager, Department of Medicine
Heersink School of Medicine
Kimberly Carr, D.M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry
School of Dentistry
Edith Castleberry
HRP Manager
College of Arts and Sciences
Amy Dean
Director, Administrative Operations
School of Public Health
Randall Fields, J.D.
Grants & Contracts Officer Senior, Office of Sponsored Programs
Office of Research
Gordon Fisher, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Human Studies
School of Education
Shemeka Gillespie
Operations Manager, Survey Research Unit
School of Public Health
Alice Carey Harding, J.D.
Associate Director, Office of Sponsored Programs
Office of Research
Jeffrey Jessee
Director of Systems and Server Support, Enterprise
Information Technology
Maree Jones
Director of Social Media Strategy
Office of Marketing and Communications
Peter Jones, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and Public Administration
College of Arts and Sciences
Rajesh Kana, Ph.D.
Associate Dean/Professor
College of Arts and Sciences
Harrison Kim, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Radiology
Heersink School of Medicine
Carmel McNicholas-Bevensee, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology
Graduate School
Andrea Osborne, DVM
Assistant Director, Animal Resources Program
Office of Research
Monique Silas
Director, Administration and Fiscal Affairs
School of Education
John Updegraff
Director of Student Success
School of Nursing
Charles White
Director of Networking and Telecommunications
Information Technology