Message from the Dean

Welcome to pollen season on Mobile Bay.  Everything has a light yellow coating and those of us with allergies are coping as best we can.  Oh well, the end of the semester and summer can't be too far away.

This month I'd like recognize a group of individuals that are often overlooked and all too often taken for granted.  I dare say that if these individuals were to disappear, many Mitchell College activities would grind to a screeching halt. 

The academic departments each have a secretary that provides administrative support to the faculty.  Amy Fleet is the most senior of these with over 30 years’ experience at the University.  She’s currently on loan to the Associate Dean’s Office helping to get a number of initiatives underway and completed.  Lissa Williams of Economics and Finance is the next senior staff member with over 25 years with the College.  Cynthia Williams of Management and Sharon Lanier of Accounting complete the departmental administrative staffing.

Our Academic Advising Office is managed by Cindy Nobles.  She is assisted by Teresa Sims, our Academic Records Specialist.  These two individuals work closely with undergraduate students on advising, scheduling issues, and provide other planning and organizational support.

Dr. Sonya Clark joined the College last year as the Director of our Professional Readiness Engagement Program (PREP).  The PREP initiative will kick off this fall; more details to follow in the September issue.  We’re starting the search process for a secretary for the area and look to add an assistant director sometime in the near future.

The Mitchell Learning Resource Center (MLRC) provides MCOB students a convenient place to study, engage in research, and collaborate on group projects.  Amia Baker joined us last year as Director of the Center.  She’s assisted by Sallie Wetzel, the Library Technical Assistant and Maureen Sacramona.

Dr. Reid Cummings is director of the Center for Real Estate and Economic Development (CREED).  Dr. Cummings replaced Dr. Don Epley, the former director who retired after ten years of service to the College.  The Center is one of the prime outreach and engagement activities of the College.  Rachel Backlin serves as the area’s secretary. 

Marie Bullock serves as the MCOB Budget Analyst tasked with managing College expenditures and inflows.  She has been with the College over 25 years.  Roxanne Bates joined us early last year and serves as administrative assistant of the MCOB Graduate Programs.  Before joining the College she worked in the USA Development Office.  Michelle Small is the newest member of the College staff.  She has the high privilege of working as the dean’s secretary.  Many of you have had the opportunity to deal with her directly.  She has previous experience with the Coast Guard and has made a significant impact on our office in the short time that she’s been with us.

We have a great group of administrative personnel.  I appreciate their efforts; they make us better.  See you next month.