|Campus News|
|Graduate alumni acknowledge UM opportunities| Whether looking for a promotion, a career change or simply a job, possessing a master’s degree can determine whether or not that search is successful. Director of Graduate Admissions and Records Kevin Thornthwaite M.Ed. ’05, believes unique academic opportunities and a small school atmosphere make the University of Montevallo the place to find a graduate experience like no other—at a value among the best in the state. Montevallo has offered engaging programs to educators, counselors, speech-language pathologists, scholars in the humanities and professional leaders for more than half a century. The intimate, seminar-like setting for many graduate-level classes is conducive to productive peer-to-peer learning. “Once I began working in my field, I quickly realized how well prepared I was,” said Montevallo Elementary School teacher Tonya Littlejohn. Many of the assignments, projects and field experiences are developed according to the anticipated work setting of the student.
Monica Ratchford ’08, MBA ’12, a relationships manager at Regions, commends UM for the high caliber of its professors.
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Montevallo Today
Jeff Atkins M.Ed. ’05, Ed.S. ’09, principal at Thompson Middle School, praises Montevallo’s graduate program in education.
“Montevallo’s curriculum presents the latest trend in what’s happening in the field of education. Their classes are data driven on what works as best practice,” said Jeff Atkins ’06, M.A. ’08, principal at Thompson Middle School, who received his M.Ed. from UM in 2005 and his Ed.S. in 2009. Small class sizes foster stronger, more productive relationships between fellow students and professors. Shelby County High School counselor Maegan Vick M.Ed. ’08 explained, “At UM, a student can find his or her place and establish a sense of belonging without feeling overwhelmed or lost in the crowd.” “Even after graduating, I know that I can count on the support of my former professors,” agreed Logan Wheeler, lecturer of English studies and director of the Writing Center at Georgia Regents University. According to UM National Alumni Association President Jim Methvin ’73, graduate students at UM bring academic maturity and leadership to campus and encourage undergraduates to take their
education to the next step—these qualities, whether found in the classroom or out, contribute to the overall success of the graduate program. “Just mentioning UM as the college of your choice for post-baccalaureate education is a great way to foster an awareness of the University with friends, neighbors and business associates,” he said. “Your support may very well be the main driving influence for the next generation of UM graduate students.” Montevallo’s graduate programs are: master of arts in English; master of business administration; master of science in speech-language pathology and masters of education in counseling, elementary education, P-12 education, secondary education, instructional leadership and collaborative education. The University also offers educational specialist degrees in instructional leadership, teacher leadership and instructional technology (coming in fall 2014). For more information on graduate studies programs, contact 205.665.6350 or graduate@montevallo.edu.