Dr. Chelsea Ale
About me: I am a professor of Sport Management at the University of Alabama. I am passionate about leadership development, mentoring, and creating meaningful learning experiences. With a background in coaching Olympians, running large-scale programs, and researching leadership strategies, I strive to inspire students to lead with confidence, integrity, and purpose in their personal, academic and professional lives.
Why I’m excited to teach this course: I’m excited to teach this course because leadership has the power to transform lives, and I love helping students unlock their potential. This course is a unique opportunity to guide students on a journey of self-discovery, equip them with practical leadership tools and inspire them to make a lasting impact in their communities and careers.
Hometown: Silver Spring, Maryland
Favorite hobby or pastime: Playing golf
Book/Movie/Game I recommend: Any Jon Gordon Books
Favorite food: Italian
Favorite destination: Costa Rice
My teaching style in 3 words: Engaging, Empowering, Collaborative
Mrs. L.B. Brown, LICSW, CFSW, PMH-C
About me: I’m a licensed clinical social worker, certified financial social worker and co-founder of the Financial Social Work Collaborative. I’m passionate about financial wellness and dedicated to empowering students to understand their relationship with money and navigate finances with confidence by fostering healthy money habits, informed decision-making, and a deeper understanding of the emotional drivers behind financial choices.
Hometown: Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Favorite hobby or pastime: Yoga
Book/Movie/Game I recommend: The Office
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite destination: The beach
Fun fact about me: I have my cosmetology license.
My teaching style in 3 words: Supportive, Compassionate, Collaborative
Dr. George L. Daniels
About me: a broadcast journalist in his second career as a faculty member preparing the next generation of journalists, media practitioners and communication professionals. For eight years, I worked as a local television news producer. After earning my master’s and Ph.D. degrees in journalism and mass communication, I started teaching here at The University of Alabama 22 years ago. And, I’m still having the time of my life.
Hometown: Richmond Virginia
Favorite hobby or pastime: Bowling
Book/Movie/Game I recommend: : The Purpose-Driven Life by Rick Warren
Favorite food: Chicken
Favorite destination: Washington, DC (the Media Capital of the World)
Fun fact about me: I was once the Easter Bunny.
My teaching style in 3 words: Interactive, High-Energy, Confrontational
Dr. Connar Franklin
About me: I have a diverse education (which is a formal way of saying I did not know what I wanted to do in life when I was a college student), with degrees in Chemistry, Business Administration, and Curriculum & Instruction. My background is in teaching chemistry, but I currently teach an orientation course with UA Early College and a course on the Pharmaceutical Industry with the Honors College.
Why I’m excited to teach this course: I have always been fascinated by conspiracy theories, sticky ideas, and intentional deception. I am excited to have an opportunity provide students with a forum to engage with these ideas and explore how to discern fact from fiction. This course uses a somewhat light-hearted topic to examine important topics including deception, deepfakes and lasting ideas.
Hometown: Hamilton, Alabama
Favorite hobby or pastime: Traveling- I am always planning my next trip!
Book/Movie/Game I recommend: Matthew Perry’s Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing
Favorite food: I love to try new foods, but my favorite is sushi.
Favorite destination: Anywhere that is warm and sunny!
Fun fact about me: In my free time, I love to referee basketball games
My teaching style in 3 words: Supportive, Engaging and Interactive
Mrs. Courtney McGahey
About me: I obtained both my undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Alabama, within the College of Human Environmental Sciences. I earned my bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and my master’s degree in Advertising and Consumer Sciences, specializing in consumer behavior and strategies for effectively engaging audiences through advertising.
Why I’m excited to teach this course: I’m thrilled to teach this course because the topic is truly captivating. It’s fascinating to explore the factors that shape our purchasing decisions and to uncover the marketing strategies businesses use to influence us.
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Favorite hobby or pastime: Working in my yard.
Book/Movie/Game I recommend: Okay, don’t laugh, but I’m still a huge fan of Gilmore Girls, and I’m kind of a nerd when it comes to analyzing commercials. I love thinking about how they work—or sometimes don’t work!
Favorite food: 100% Mexican Food
Favorite destination: Breckenridge, Colorado
Fun fact about me: I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do
My teaching style in 3 words: Engaging, Supportive and Interactive
Mr. Jerrod Newell
About me: I hold a B.S. in music education from UA and a M.Ed. in instructional leadership from the University of West Alabama. After a successful career teaching choral music with the Tuscaloosa County Schools for over 20 years, I now work with UA Early College as a success coach. I support high school students taking college courses to ensure they are academically successful and achieve their greatest potential.
Why I’m excited to teach this course: This course combines two of my passions: music and leadership. I am excited to share famous musical artists with students and the ways in which they transformed the world, but I am even more excited for students to explore their own personality traits and how they relate to their leadership style, then develop a leadership plan that will utilize their strengths and overcome their weaknesses.
Hometown: Red Bay, Alabama
Favorite hobby or pastime: Cooking
Book/Movie/Game I recommend: Wonder (film)
Favorite food: Mexican
Favorite destination: New York City
My teaching style in 3 words: Inclusive, Supportive and Challenging
Janet Walker
About me: With an educational background in fine arts, design, and health studies, I have focused my work on designing for social good. I’ve lead communication projects that have influenced policy and shaped conversations around issues such as cardiovascular health, education, and nutrition. I love using creativity to solve problems, explore opportunities, present ideas and further understanding.
Why I’m excited to teach this course: I can’t wait to help students tap into their own creative thinking skills. I believe that we all possess the ability to think creatively, and given some practical tools, we can all approach problems with design thinking. Oh — and, it’s so much fun!
Hometown: Birmingham, Alabama
Favorite hobby or pastime: Photography
Book/Movie/Game I recommend: I’d rather take a walk through an art museum.
Favorite food: Dark chocolate
Favorite destination: Turks and Caicos
My teaching style in 3 words: Curiosity-Driven, Practical, Hands-on
Mr. Caleb Walters
About me: I received my Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Liberty University, where I researched visual communication’s impact on illiterate populations. I’ve studied design thinking throughout my academic career, and I’ve also worked professionally as a designer, photographer, journalist, and even in communications for the City of Tuscaloosa.
Why I’m excited to teach this course: The world will present you with difficult issues to solve, both personally and professionally; this class will provide you with a tried and true method for developing creative solutions to address those problems. Plus, we’ll get to engage with local nonprofit organizations and do some real good for the community!
Hometown: Reform, Alabama
Favorite hobby or pastime: Cooking and baking
Book/Movie/Game I recommend: The Song of Achilles (book)
Favorite food: Anything with a good dip!
Favorite destination: Italy, for the food, of course
Fun fact about me: I’m also a UA alumnus, and completed the same master’s program I currently teach in [several] years ago.
My teaching style in 3 words: Reflective, Responsive, Relaxed
Leanne Mallory Carroll
About me: I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Theater and History from Huntingdon College, and my Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama. With a background in the humanities and social sciences, I never knew how important or exciting undergraduate research could be for students from all academic backgrounds. As the Director of The Office for Undergraduate Research at UA, I love to share information about research opportunities with students and help them see that regardless of their interest area research can be the right option for everyone!
Why I’m excited to teach this course: This course allows us to explore different types of research happening at UA. I am excited to guide you through the opportunities and to encourage you to pursue those experiences that make the most sense for your long-term personal and professional goals.
Hometown: Elba, Alabama
Favorite hobby or pastime: Musical theater (singing, performing, watching, etc)
Book/Movie/Game I recommend: The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah
Favorite food: Southern food
Favorite destination: London, England
My teaching style in 3 words: Interactive, Supportive, Practical