ASSOCIATE DEGREES

North Alabama Makes Your Education Even More Affordable

Students participating in any of our new Associate programs qualifies students for a 2-year, $4500 per year scholarship toward their degree. Incoming students who wish to apply for the Workforce Development Scholarships will be automatically considered based on their GPA and program enrollment. No additional scholarship form is required at this time. Apply for an Associate’s Degree program here!

In summary, our new Associate of Science degrees with a focus on workforce development offers numerous benefits to students, employers, and local economies alike. By fostering strong connections between education and industry, these programs help to create a wellprepared and adaptable workforce that can meet the demands of today's dynamic job market. The combination of industry-relevant curriculum, stronger employment prospects, affordability, opportunities for advancement, and a commitment to lifelong learning makes these degrees an attractive option for those seeking a rewarding career. Please be sure to let your colleagues and friends know about these exciting new opportunities at UNA!

Amber joined the Department of Engineering and Industrial Professions in the Fall of 2022, shortly after earning her PhD in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana State University. Dr. Pete has a passion for working to recruit and retain students from underrepresented groups into STEM. She has been working with Engineering Technology students to start up a collegiate chapter of the Society of Women Engineers. Dr. Pete and her SWE members have recently toured local chemical and biotechnology industries and have already sponsored a service event. In her efforts to recruit minority students, she also visits local high schools to speak with their math and sciences classes about majors and career options in STEM.

Her research interests lie more along the lines of environmental engineering. In October, she published a manuscript in ACS Environmental Science and Technology Letters that showed how bacteria influence the sinking of microplastics in aquatic environments, which was also featured on the cover of the journal’s 10th-anniversary issue.

Amber joined the Department of Engineering and Industrial Professions in the Fall of 2022 shortly after earning her PhD in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana State University Dr Pete has a passion for working to recruit and retain students from underrepresented groups into STEM She has been working with Engineering Technology students to start up a collegiate chapter of the Society of Women Engineers Dr Pete and her SWE members have recently toured local chemical and biotechnology industries and have already sponsored a service event In her efforts to recruit minority students, she also visits local high schools to speak with their math and sciences classes about majors and career options in STEM

Her research interests lie more along the lines of environmental engineering In October she published a manuscript in ACS Environmental Science and Technology Letters that showed how bacteria influence the sinking of microplastics in aquatic environments which was also featured on the cover of the journal s 10th-anniversary issue

She also studies the use of environmentally friendly nanoparticles for oil spill cleanup in marine waters Currently Dr Pete is working to understand how biosurfactants influence the adsorption and transport of toxic compounds in both marine and freshwater systems

Dr Pete looks forward to working with students who may not have considered engineering or engineering technology previously She also plans to continue working with undergraduate students on projects with high environmental relevance

Zoology and Physiology from Louisiana State University awarded in 1990 Following graduate school, he was selected as an Oak Ridge Associated Universities Postdoctoral Fellow from 1990-1991 Dr Richardson has over 35 years of experience with the population and conservation ecology of freshwater organisms and served as director of the Alabama Rare and Endangered Species Research Center 1994-2004 Dr Richardson has remained professionally active producing over 120 peer-reviewed publications and technical reports used by legal professionals, the environmentally regulated community, and governmental agencies He has presented testimony before US Congress and Alabama Congressional Ways and Means Committee Dr Richardson was invited by the University of Oxford’s St Anne’s College (2007) and Harris-Manchester College (2011) to speak on the topic of Global Climate Change and Sustainability In 2010 he was appointed by Alabama Governor Riley to serve on the Alabama Environmental Management Commission (AEMC) until 2018 While a Commissioner, Dr Richardson served as Chair of the Rule Making Committee and as Vice-Chair of the AEMC In 2009, Dr Richardson and UNA alumnus Jeff Selby formed AST Environmental, LLC, an environmental consulting firm designed to serve the needs of the environmentally regulated community Dr Richardson currently serves as Vice-President and Senior Ecologist for AST Dr Richardson’s consulting work through AST has covered not only Alabama and the greater southeastern US but has expanded into New Hampshire Oklahoma and Texas In addition to Dr Richardson and Mr Selby s involvement, AST now employees three UNA graduates and a current UNA student During his time at UNA, Dr Richardson has taught Introductory Biology, Aquatic Ecology, General Ecology, Animal Physiology, Marine Behavioral Ecology (at Dauphin Island Sea Lab), Tropical Marine Ecosystems, and Biological Literature for Chinese Students in Huaiyin China (June 2018) Dr Richardson served multiple terms on the Faculty Senate including serving as President and taught summer school at Dauphin Island Sea Lab from 1992-2005

Dr Richardson is a Professor of Biology at UNA and 1982 UNA graduate in Professional Biology He earned his M S in Aquatic Biology from the University of Alabama in 1986, and holds a Ph D in 17

Zoology and Physiology from Louisiana State University awarded in 1990 Following graduate school, he was selected as an Oak Ridge Associated Universities Postdoctoral Fellow from 1990-1991 Dr Richardson has over 35 years of experience with the population and conservation ecology of freshwater organisms and served as director of the Alabama Rare and Endangered Species Research Center 1994-2004 Dr Richardson has remained professionally active producing over 120 peer-reviewed publications and technical reports used by legal professionals, the environmentally regulated community, and governmental agencies He has presented testimony before US Congress and Alabama Congressional Ways and Means Committee Dr Richardson was invited by the University of Oxford’s St Anne’s College (2007) and Harris-Manchester College (2011) to speak on the topic of Global Climate Change and Sustainability In 2010 he was appointed by Alabama Governor Riley to serve on the Alabama Environmental Management Commission (AEMC) until 2018 While a Commissioner, Dr Richardson served as Chair of the Rule Making Committee and as Vice-Chair of the AEMC In 2009, Dr Richardson and UNA alumnus Jeff Selby formed AST Environmental, LLC, an environmental consulting firm designed to serve the needs of the environmentally regulated community Dr Richardson currently serves as Vice-President and Senior Ecologist for AST Dr Richardson’s consulting work through AST has covered not only Alabama and the greater southeastern US but has expanded into New Hampshire Oklahoma and Texas In addition to Dr Richardson and Mr Selby s involvement, AST now employees three UNA graduates and a current UNA student During his time at UNA, Dr Richardson has taught Introductory Biology, Aquatic Ecology, General Ecology, Animal Physiology, Marine Behavioral Ecology (at Dauphin Island Sea Lab), Tropical Marine Ecosystems, and Biological Literature for Chinese Students in Huaiyin China (June 2018) Dr Richardson served multiple terms on the Faculty Senate including serving as President and taught summer school at Dauphin Island Sea Lab from 1992-2005

Dr Richardson is a Professor of Biology at UNA and 1982 UNA graduate in Professional Biology He earned his M S in Aquatic Biology from the University of Alabama in 1986, and holds a Ph D in 17

Anative of Killen, AL, Caroline is majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Health. She began her academic career after high school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, but matriculated at UNA in fall 2020. She is the recipient of the UNA Vanguard Scholarship, the UNA Memorial Endowed Scholarship, and a UNA Foundation Scholarship and she is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. Her leadership roles include positions with Alpha Epsilon Delta, CASE Ambassadors, and Hands of Hope International for which she will participate in a summer internship in Guatemala, June – August 2023.

Caroline has an excellent academic record and will graduate in spring 2023. She has worked as a Lab/Office Assistant for the Department of Biology and as a Patient Care Technician in the emergency Department at Helen Keller Hospital. Her community service work includes projects for Big Brother, Big Sister; Operation Christmas Child; City of Florence Cleanup; UNA Pantry Food Drive; and USERVE SafeHouse Atlanta. In her role as a CASE Ambassador, Caroline has demonstrated extraordinary enthusiasm, a willingness to serve, and an ability to effectively communicate. She is exceptional at sharing her UNA story and connecting prospective students to College resources. In addition, as the current Recruitment and Outreach Chair for CASE Ambassadors, Caroline organized a successful food drive in partnership with AED for the UNA pantry and is diligently working to connect with local high school counselors to plan campus visits.

Her future plans include taking a little time off after her summer internship in Guatemala. She will apply for Physician Assistant programs with the goal of beginning that study in summer 2024.