Shakeitha Tatum grew up in the Titusville and Ensley neighborhoods in Birmingham, Alabama. Although she often saw the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s campus, her most vivid memory of the University is attached to a surprising venue: a nearby grocery store.

That is what University of Alabama at Birmingham alumna Traci Jones is able to provide as Park Ranger for the A.G. Gaston Motel, located within Birmingham’s Civil Rights District. Jones, who graduated with a degree in African American Studies in 2016, offers an informative look into the past through her role with the historic site.

Joanna Schmidt likes solving problems. Big, complex, challenging problems. That might explain why she is thriving in her role as an engineer at NASA, a job where she gets to regularly use the problem-solving skills she gained from the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Physics.

“I was always an existential-type kid,” said Atkinson. “I enjoyed psychology because it’s essentially the study of humans and human behavior, and how everything interacts with one another from a psychological perspective. I found that fascinating. I wanted to study that and learn more about it, and eventually be able to help people who are going through very difficult times in their life.”

“There was just something about her raw curiosity and desire for knowledge that made teaching something I wanted to pursue,” said Buchwalter, who went on to major in history—with a double minor in philosophy and criminal justice—and later earn a master’s in social science education. “I absolutely fell in love with working with those kids, so I pivoted into education.”

How do you ask somebody questions about the worst experience of their life, all while filming their response? That was the dilemma facing 2014 University of Alabama at Birmingham graduate Zach Moore recently as he created a documentary in his role as Communications Manager of Digital Media for the non-profit Immune Deficiency Foundation.

While growing up in Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa, Fatoumata Sanogo, Ph.D., did not enjoy school. In fact, she actively disliked it. That all shifted when she enrolled in a boarding school per her parents’ request.

Like many people, Rebecca Boohaker, Ph.D., had a part-time job in high school dealing with dishes. But instead of food dishes in a restaurant, Boohaker was handling petri dishes in the microbiology lab of University of Alabama at Birmingham professor John Kearney, Ph.D.

On September 19, the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s National Alumni Society hosted its 2024 Alumni Awards Dinner and Annual Meeting at the UAB Alumni House.

Liza Thomas wants to become a philosopher. She graduated with a B.A. in Philosophy from the Department of Philosophy in 2023 and is now applying for graduate philosophy programs to achieve her goal.

Jami Davis, an alumnus of the Department of Communication Studies, serves as the chief financial officer for a mechanical engineering consultancy called MW/Davis Dumas and Associates, Inc. He shares how UAB has impacted the trajectory of his career.

“UAB has been a blessing to our family,” said Davis.

UAB Alumna Abigail Franks shares how her college experience has impacted her life and career.

With both parents serving in the armed forces, Jereme Kyle Lewis was an "army brat" throughout his life. With each move and army base, he became accustomed to the repetitive process of joining a new school, making friends and exploring the neighborhood. For Lewis, however, there was one extra step when joining a new community: finding the area's theatre or drama club.

Carol Pittman is a strong-willed entrepreneur who recognizes that the journey to fulfilling your dreams can be long and challenging.

While growing up in Oak Grove, Alabama, Adam Aldrich was determined to become a computer programmer. Although the computer science resources were limited in his hometown, he still found creative ways to build his skills.

When Renita Lewis enrolled in college in 2008, she was focused on two things: playing basketball and studying nursing. So, it might be a surprise to learn that she is now an accomplished actor earning her Master of Fine Arts degree in Drama at The Julliard School and starring in a play at Lincoln Center in New York City. For Lewis, the pivot into the arts began with the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Theatre.

Drs. Stephen and Lisa Odaibo have dedicated their lives to medicine and helping others. They are also passionate about education—perhaps that’s why they have a combined six college degrees between the two of them.

Two award-winning graduates of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s public relations (PR) program are getting ready to apply their skills and knowledge in the real world.

While serving in the United States Army for 21 years, James C. Hurt got the chance to see and experience the world.