Faculty

†Graduate Faculty
*Tenured Faculty

A B C D E F GH I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Katherine L. Abernathy*† (1997), Chair, Department of Humanities and Professor of English
B.A., Mobile College;
M.A., Ph.D., University of Dallas.

Taiye O. Ajayi (2025), Assistant Professor of Nursing
A.S.N., Coastal Alabama Community College;
B.S.N., University of Louisiana, Lafayette;
M.S.N., D.N.P., University of Alabama.

Kimberly P. Albins (2023), Assistant Professor of Marine Biology
B.A., University of Hawai`i at Hilo;
M.S., University of Hawai`i at Manoa.

Calee T. Allday (2015), Assistant Professor of Accounting
A.S., Coastal Alabama Community College;
B.S., M.B.A., University of Mobile.

Kevin D. Blackwell† (2025), Assistant Professor of Disciple Making
B.G.S., Samford University;
M.Div., D.Min., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary;
M.Th., Ph.D., Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Tammy W. Brown (2017), Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., M.S.N., D.N.P., University of Mobile.

Pamela S. Buchanan Miller (2000), Vice President for Academic Affairs and Assistant Professor of English
B.A., M.A., Southwest Texas State University;
Ph.D., University of South Alabama.

Amy K. Burdette(2020), Instructor of English
B.A., University of South Alabama;
M.A., Spring Hill College.

Megan D. Cary†(2013), Associate Professor of Graphic Arts
B.F.A, University of South Alabama;
M.F.A., Savannah College of Art & Design.

Daniel B. Chancey, (2013) Assistant Professor of English
B.A., University of Mobile;
M.Ed., University of South Alabama

David E. Chaplin† (2024), Professor of Economics
B.A., University of California;
M.S., Texas Christian University;
Ph.D., Colorado State University.

Kara M. Claybrook† (2023), Assistant Professor of Music
B.M., Taylor University;
M.M., Illinois State University;
D.M.A., University of Mobile.

Beverly D. Collier (2021), Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., M.S.N., D.N.P., University of Mobile.

Carolyn D. Corliss (2023), Associate Dean, School of Education and Professor of Education
B.S., Troy State University;
M.A., Auburn University at Montgomery;
Ed.D., Auburn University.

Lori L. DeLong ATC (2014), Dean, School of Health and Sports Science, Chair Department of Kinesiology, Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Faculty Athletic Representative;
B.A., Louisiana College;
M.Ed., University of Louisiana at Monroe;
Ph.D., Louisiana State University.

Karen A. Dennis† (2014), Associate Professor of Education
B.S., University of South Alabama;
M.Ed., Harding University;
Ph.D., Grand Canyon University.

Matthew L. Downs*† (2012), Dean, College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of History
B.A., Birmingham-Southern College;
M.A., Ph.D., University of Alabama.

Steven W. Dunn (2012), Chair, Department of Music and Associate Professor of Music
B.A., Jacksonville State University
M.M., University of New Mexico.

Deanna “Michelle” Fairley (2026), Instructor of Special Education
B.S., M.Ed., University of South Alabama;
Ed.S., University of Southern Mississippi.

Jessica E. Freeland†(2022), Assistant Professor of Education
B.S., M.Ed., Ph.D., University of South Alabama.

Jessica Garner† (2019), Dean, Celia Wallace College of Health Professions and Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N, Spring Hill College;
M.S.N., D.N.P. University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Elizabeth Gilliland Rands† (2024), Assistant Professor of English
B.A., Brigham Young University;
M.A., University of Westminister;
Ph.D., Louisiana State University.

Andrew S. Goodwin† (2018), Dean, Alabama School of the Arts and Assistant Professor of Music
B.M., University of Mobile;
M.A.R.,Liberty University;
D.M.A., University of Mobile.

Lori J. Guy*† (2018), Associate Dean, Alabama School of the Arts and Associate Professor of Music
B.A., University of Indianapolis;
M.M., D.M.A., University of Southern Mississippi.

Megan E. Harper† ATC (2019), Coordinator of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor of Kinesiology
B.S., University of Mobile;
M.S., University of South Alabama;
D.A.T., Moravian College.

Nathan Harris† (2024), Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Assistant Professor of New Testament and Biblical Interpretation
B.A., Malone University;
M.Div., Th.M., Ph.D., Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

J. Stewart Hawley† (2019), Chair, Department of Theatre and Associate Professor of Theatre
B.S., University of Houston;
M.F.A., University of Houston.

Kathryn D. Hedlund† (2012), Chair, Graduate Studies and Professor of Music
B.Mus., University of Michigan
M.M., D.M.A., Louisiana State University.

Troy L. Henderson*† (2007), Chair, Department of Mathematics and Professor of Mathematics
B.S., M.A., University of Alabama;
Ph.D., Texas A & M University.

Austin Holcomb, (2026), Director of the Tom Elliff Center for Missions and Assistant Professor of Missions
B.S., Dalton State University;
M.A., College of Southeastern;
M.Div., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary;
Th.M., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Glenn L. Hollingsworth† (2016), Chair, Department of Counseling and Family Therapy and Associate Professor of Counseling and Family Therapy
B.S., University of Tennessee-Chattanooga;
M.A., Marriage and Family Therapy, M.A.,Theological Studies, Reformed Theological Seminary;
Ph.D., Virginia Tech.

Brad Hooks† (2025), Assistant Professor of Nurse Anesthesia
B.S.N., University of Louisiana;
M.S.N.A., Texas Christian University.

Julie F. Hughes† (2019), Assistant Professor of Nursing and Simulation Coordinator
B.S.N., University of Mobile;
M.S.N., University of South Alabama;
D.N.P., Samford University.

Kenneth R. Hughes (2010), Associate Dean of Roger Breland Center for Performing Arts and Associate Professor of Music
B.M.E, University of Oklahoma;
M.M.E, Wichita State University.

Salomon F. Itza* (2016), Chair, Department of Natural Sciences and Professor of Physics
B.S., Autonomous University of Yucatan;
M.S., Center for Research and Advanced Studies;
Ph.D., Tulane University.

Heather Joiner† (2026), Instructor of Nurse Anesthesia
A.D.N., Jefferson State Community College;
B.S.N., Jacksonville State University;
M.S.N., Samford University.

Wanda D. Jones (2019), Associate Professor of Chemistry
B.S., Miles College;
Ph.D., Tuskegee University.

Kevin R. Levy (2025), Assistant Professor of Criminology
S.P.I., University of Louisville, Southern Police Institute;
B.S., Florida International University;
M.S., Faulkner University.

Keith W. Lindley† (2024), Professor of French and Spanish
B.A., University of South Florida;
M.A., Ph.D., University of Florida.

Ashley S. Lindsey (2021), Assistant Professor of Biology
B.S., Spring Hill College;
Ph.D., University of South Alabama.

Susan M. Ling (2021), Assistant Professor of Mathematics
B.S., Lipscomb University;
M.S., University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Cynthia W. Littlejohn (2023), Assistant Professor of Biology
B.S., M.S., Jacksonville State University;
Ph.D., University of Southern Mississippi.

Kelly M. Lomax† (2024), Assistant Professor of Education
B.A., University of Mobile;
M.A., Spring Hill College;
Ed.S.; Ed.D. University of West Florida.

Abbie G. Maggio (2024), Assistant Professor of Worship Leadership
B.A., B.S., University of Mobile;
M.S., University of Edinburgh.

T. J. Mashburn III* (1985), Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Humanities
B.A., Livingston University;
M.Div., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary;
M.Th., New College, University of Edinburgh;
D.Phil, University of Oxford.

Melinda K. McGaughy† (2022), Associate Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., M.S.N., The Ohio State University;
D.N.P., Otterbein University.

Ashley L. Milner† (2016), Dean, School of Education and Associate Professor of Education
B.A., Charleston Southern University;
M.A., University of Mobile;
Ed.S., Ed.D., University of West Florida.

Jose Molina†, (2025) Assistant Professor of Studio Art
B.A., Northwest Florida State College;
B.F.A.; University of West Florida;
M.F.A., University of South Alabama.

Lesa G. Moore, Vice President for Marketing and Public Relations and Assistant Professor of Marketing
B.S., University of South Alabama;
M.B.A., University of Mobile.

Terry E. Motley (2023), Assistant Professor of Marketing
B.S., Spring Hill College;
M.B.A., William Carey University;
Ph.D., University of South Alabama.

Gyromas W. Newman*† (2012), Professor of Communication
B.A., M.A., University of South Alabama;
Ph.D., University of Alabama.

Sevints T. Nuriyeva† (2014), Professor of Global Business and Management
B.A., M.A., Kazakh-American Free University;
M.B.A., Northwest Nazarene University;
Ph.D., Northcentral University.

Robert L. Olsen*† (2008), Professor of Historical Theology
B.S., North Carolina State University;
M. Div., Ph.D., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Kadisha C. Onalbayeva*† (2014), Professor of Music
Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance, Zhubanov Special Music School, Almaty, Kazakhstan;
M.M., (Composition), University of New Orleans; M.M., (Piano Performance), University of New Orleans;
D.M.A., Louisiana State University.

Jeremy S. Padgett† (2014), Assistant Professor of Communication
B.S., Troy University;
M.A., Auburn University;
Ph.D., Louisiana State University.

Victoria F. Park (2024), Assistant Professor of Nursing
Diploma, St. John’s School of Nursing;
B.S.N., Missouri State University;
M.Ed., Drury College;
M.S.N., University of Missouri.

Michael P. Rands† (2017), Associate Professor of English
B.A., M.A., University of Cape Town, South Africa;
M.F.A., Louisiana State University.

Lauren L. Roberts† (2023), Assistant Director, School of Nurse Anesthesia
B.S.N., University of South Alabama;
D.N.P., University of Southern Mississippi.

Russell D. Roberts (2003), Professor of Accounting
B.S., University of Mobile
M.AC., University of South Alabama;
D.B.A., Anderson University.

Jay T. Robertson*† (2003), Professor of Systematic Theology
B.A., University of North Carolina at Greensboro;
M.Div., Ph.D., Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.

Charles W. Smith, Jr.† (2024), President and Associate Professor of Christian Leadership
B.B.A., Mississippi College;
M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary;
Ph.D., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Robbie W. Smith (2024), Assistant Professor of Education
B.S., M.S, Jacksonville State University;
Ed.D., University of Phoenix.

M. Hunter Speeg† (2021), Dean, School of Nurse Anesthesia and Assistant Professor of Nurse Anesthesia
A.A., Copiah–Lincoln Community College;
B.S.N., University of Southern Mississippi;
D.N.P., University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Kendra M. Strenth† (2019), Associate Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., University of South Alabama;
M.S.N., University of Mobile;
D.N.P., Samford University.

Amy G. Taylor† (2007), Associate Professor of Business
B.S., University of South Alabama;
M.B.A., M.Ed., Mississippi College;
Ph.D., University of South Alabama.

Melissa G. Thomas† ATC (2001), Program Director, Master of Athletic Training Program and Associate Professor of Kinesiology
B.S., M.A., University of Mobile;
Ed.D., United States Sports Academy.

Shannon A. Thomas (2024), Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., Troy University;
M.S.N., University of North Alabama.

Alexandra C. Trosper† (2022), Assistant Professor of Music
B.M., M.M. Colorado State University;

Stephanie L. Verkouille, (2024), Assistant Professor of Kinesiology
B.S., University of Mobile;
M.Ed., University of West Alabama.

Greg D. Wiggins, (2019), Assistant Professor of Music
B.M., University of Texas at Arlington;
M.M., University of Mobile.

Douglas K. Wilson, Jr.*† (2003), Executive Director, Center for Christian Calling, and Professor of Biblical Studies
B.S., Toccoa Falls College;
M.Div., Ph.D., Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.

Tiffany A. Wilson† (2024), Assistant Professor of Education
B.S., Auburn University;
M.S., University of South Alabama;
Ed.S., Ed.D., University of West Florida.

Sarah Barnes-Witherspoon*† (2001), Dean, School of Nursing; and Professor of Nursing
A.D.N., Bishop State Community College;
B.S.N., M.S.N., University of Mobile;
Ph.D., William Carey University.

Emeriti Faculty

M. Jane Byrd, Professor of Management Emeritus
B.S., M.B.A., University of South Alabama;
D.B.A., Nova Southeastern University.

Elizabeth M. Flanagan, Professor of Nursing Emeritus
B.S.N., University of Alabama;
M.S.N., University of Alabama in Birmingham;
Ed.D., University of Southern Mississippi.

Elizabeth I. French, Professor of Biology Emeritus
B.M., M.S., University of Tennessee;
Ph.D., University of Mississippi

Dwight M. Steedley, Professor of Mathematics Emeritus
B.S., University of Alabama;
M.S., Mississippi State University;
Ph.D., Auburn University.

Cecil R. Taylor, Professor of Christian Studies Emeritus
B.A., Louisiana College;
Th.M., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary;
Ph.D., Baylor University.