Paving Continues Across Campus Streets

Shelby County and Chilton Paving will continue their improvements across campus streets and parking lots. Affected streets include Oak St., Valley St. (between Shelby St. and West St.), West St., Vine St., Middle St., Shelby St. and Island St.

Work will also continue in the parking lots outside of New Hall, Lund, Peck and the overflow parking lot toward the back of campus. Please note that there may be congestion and delays at various points throughout Montevallo. Please use caution in and around all construction zones.
 

Lunch & Learn to Offer Discussion on Student Success

On July 25, UM’s Staff Senate will host their monthly Lunch & Learn session from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Wills 200. This month’s topic is “Partnering for Student Success,” presented by the staff of Student Affairs.

The goal of this session is to educate faculty and staff on dealing with students who have or need accommodations, students on the spectrum, mental health issues and personal financial issues. The session will also include a discussion of the on-campus resources available to help.
 

University Seeking Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

The University of Montevallo is seeking a new chief diversity and inclusion officer. This position advises the University president on issues of diversity, inclusion and equitable practices throughout the entire University community.

Other responsibilities include providing University-wide direction in areas of diversity inclusion, staying up-to-date on the latest federal laws and regulations regarding matters of diversity and serving on UM’s Diversity Task Force Committee.

This position is open to internal candidates only. It will be offered to a current UM employee who is qualified and able to assume the responsibilities and perform the applicable duties as a secondary assignment along with those of their current, regular position. It is a 12-month position with an annual commensurate stipend of $8,000.

Applicants should submit a letter of interest (or the recommendation of a colleague) and any supporting materials, including qualifications, no later than July 31 to Kristy Lee, director of executive affairs and liaison to the board of trustees.
 

Falcon Foods Shifts to New Summer Hours

For the remainder of the Summer II term, Anna Irvin will return to regular summer hours:

Faculty/Staff Highlights

Emili Alexander will join the Falcon Success Center as the new assistant director. She is a UM alumna from the class of 2012 and holds a master’s degree from the University of Alabama in Human Environmental Science. As assistant director, Alexander will advise general studies and ContinuUM students, support cross-campus advising efforts and coordinate Early Academic Alert outreach.

Nikki Bradbury, associate director of UM’s student aid office and AASFAA executive board secretary, hosted the 2018-2019 Alabama Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ (AASFAA) annual executive board transitional meeting on the UM campus July 19. Approximately 30 financial aid administrators from across the state attended to conduct business on behalf of all partnered private and public institutions throughout the state.

Dr. Lolita Kincade, assistant professor of human development & family studies, has a new podcast available on iTunes and SoundCloud titled “The Family Plug.” This podcast aims to improve the quality & standards of individual & family life.

Dr. Amiee Mellon, assistant professor of marketing, and Dr. Christine Sestero, associate professor of biology, published a paper titled “How to Cell: Marketing Meetings Microbiology” in the International Journal of Teaching & Learning in Higher Education. Dr. Mellon also published a joint paper titled “Organizational Changes in Service Learning Intiatives: A Case Study” with Dr. Tom Sanders, associate professor of management, and Emily Vonbartheld ’15, MBA ’16.
 
Dr. Sierra Turner, instructor of Spanish, will assume the role of service learning coordinator on Aug. 15. As service learning coordinator, Dr. Turner will promote, support and assess UM’s Service Learning courses and activities.
 
The University was well-represented by faculty, alumni and students during the Alabama Communication Association’s 2018 convention at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. Communication faculty members Dr. Sherry Ford, Dr. Sally Hardig, Dr. Raymond R. Ozley and Dr. Tiffany Wang offered presentations during the conference. Additionally, two students, Donovan Cleckley and Jasmine Baxter, and alumna  Jasmyne Ray ’18 also offered presentations.