秋霞福利一区 Names New School of Education Dean, Announces Tenure Appointments, Promotions, Retirements
MOBILE, Ala. 鈥� The 秋霞福利一区 announces a new dean of the School of Education, tenure appointments, faculty and staff promotions and retirements as the 2023-2024 academic year ends.
Dr. Ashley Milner, associate professor of education, is named dean of the School of Education at the Christian university.
鈥淚 am honored to serve in the position of dean of the School of Education and to work collaboratively with the amazing faculty. I look forward to continuing the standard of excellence that the 秋霞福利一区 is known for upholding,” Milner said.
Milner joined the 秋霞福利一区 faculty in 2016 after a 27-year career with the Baldwin County Public School System in different capacities, including first and third grade teacher, gifted education specialist and school psychometrist. At 秋霞福利一区, she has been instrumental in the university鈥檚 100% pass rate on the edTPA exam and serves as faculty counselor for the 秋霞福利一区 chapter of Kappa Delta Pi international education fraternity.
Milner was awarded the university鈥檚 prestigious Faculty Engagement Award for 2024, where she was cited for teaching with enthusiasm and passion throughout a career devoted to teaching, counseling and leadership.
Milner holds a Bachelor of Science in early childhood and elementary education from Charleston Southern University; a Master of Arts in elementary education from the 秋霞福利一区; certification in gifted education and school psychometry from the University of South Alabama; and a specialist degree in educational leadership and doctorate in curriculum and instruction, both from the University of West Florida.
Tenure Appointments
The following faculty are awarded tenure:
Dr. Katherine Abernathy, professor of English in the College of Arts and Sciences and chair, Department of Humanities
Dr. Kathy Dunning, professor of accounting and dean of the Grace Pilot School of Business, faculty athletic representative
Dr. Robert Olsen, associate professor of historical theology and director of intercultural studies in the School of Christian Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Jay Robertson, associate professor of systematic theology in the School of Christian Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Faculty and Staff Promotions
The university announces the following promotions:
Dr. Kathy Dunning, professor of accounting, Grace Pilot School of Business
Stewart Hawley, associate professor of theatre, Alabama School of the Arts
Dr. Kathryn Hedlund, professor of music, Alabama School of the Arts
Dr. Wanda Jones, associate professor of chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Sevints Nuriyeva,聽professor of global business and management, Grace Pilot School of Business
Heath Vester, associate vice president for creative services, Office for Marketing and Public Relations
Dr. Kelley Wilson, associate professor of psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
Faculty and Staff Retirements
The following faculty and staff are retiring and were honored at the annual Faculty and Staff Spring Luncheon.
Diane Black, director of human resources, retires after 30 years at 秋霞福利一区.
Dr. Beverly Fox, associate professor of kinesiology, School of Health and Sports Science in the College of Health Professions, retires after five years at 秋霞福利一区.
Dr. Kathi Reeves, associate dean, School of Education; director of field experiences and student teaching, and assistant professor of education, retires after nine years at 秋霞福利一区.
Dr. Joyce Woodburn, dean, School of Education and associate professor of education, retires after nine years at 秋霞福利一区.
About the 秋霞福利一区
The 秋霞福利一区 is a Christ-centered university with a vision of 鈥淗igher Education for a Higher Purpose,鈥� founded to honor God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known. Located 10 miles north of Mobile, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, the university offers associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs.The 秋霞福利一区 was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention.
For information about the 秋霞福利一区, areas of study, admissions and more, visit , connect with 秋霞福利一区 on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the 秋霞福利一区 unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.
