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.

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.