Story: Lisa Sollie

The 宅男福利社 Police Department and Student Government Association have launched the Tiger Ticket Forgiveness and Student Support Initiative, a pilot program designed to give students structured options to convert certain minor parking citations into community service or donations that directly benefit fellow 宅男福利社students.

Like similar programs at peer institutions across Alabama, the initiative allows eligible citations to be forgiven in exchange for donations of canned food or other non-perishable items to the 宅男福利社Food Pantry. The program offers students a way to turn minor violations into positive contributions, helping ease financial strain while supporting both their peers and 宅男福利社Police parking enforcement efforts.

Tiger Ticket Forgiveness Day will be held April 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Young Hall Cafeteria. Students may have up to two eligible parking tickets forgiven by donating items based on their ticket amount: five cans/items for a $25 ticket, 10 cans/items for a $50 ticket, and 15 cans/items for a $75 ticket.

Handicap violations and tickets issued directly by 宅男福利社Housing are not eligible.

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Story: Lisa Sollie

Since the launch of its competency-based education (CBE) program, the 宅男福利社 is working to move paraprofessionals into certified teaching roles more quickly to help address teacher shortages across the state.

Dr. Jan Miller serves as director of UWA鈥檚 competency-based education program, which launched January 2025 in the Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education. Miller said the initiative builds on paraprofessionals鈥� existing classroom experience while equipping them with the skills and competencies needed to become certified educators. Candidates must have at least three years of classroom experience and be enrolled online in one of UWA鈥檚 three education programs: elementary education, early childhood, or special education.

Miller said the University worked closely with the Alabama State Department of Education to identify the exact competencies candidates must master before earning certification. Faculty conducted extensive assessments and curriculum mapping to ensure coursework aligns with state-defined standards.

Through an evaluation tool called 鈥淎re you ready for CBE?鈥� and a structured interview process, Miller reviews transcripts, work habits, and each candidate鈥檚 ability to work independently. She also assesses whether applicants are already serving in strong instructional roles and are prepared for the rigor of the program.

鈥淥ur model is accelerated, one-on-one, and very prescriptive,鈥� Miller said. 鈥淎lthough you might be enrolled in a course with 10 other students, you aren鈥檛 necessarily moving at the same pace or even completing the same modules.鈥�

Once enrolled in CBE, students take a 25-30 question multiple-choice pretest in each course. The assessment is not graded; instead, it measures prior knowledge and connects to course modules built around specific competencies.

After reviewing results, Miller may exempt candidates from modules or assignments within modules鈥攚here they have already demonstrated mastery. 

鈥淚 might say, 鈥楥ongratulations, you鈥檝e met the standards and competencies for Modules 1, 3, and 4. You only need to complete Modules 2, 5, and 6 to finish that course,鈥欌�� she explained.

Students then complete summative assessments, field-embedded assignments鈥攔eal work conducted in their own classrooms under the supervision of a mentor teacher. Candidates must demonstrate at least 80 percent mastery, proving not only content knowledge, but also the ability to effectively teach it.

Beth LaReau of Tuscaloosa was working at The Capitol School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, while pursuing dual degrees in early childhood and elementary education online when she heard about competency-based education programs at UWA. As one of the program鈥檚 first two graduates, she said switching to the competency-based format allowed her to focus directly on the standards she needed to master.

鈥淚nstead of feeling like I had to move through everything at the same pace, I could really concentrate on what I needed to learn,鈥� LaReau said. 鈥淚t helped me understand the science and vocabulary behind what I was already doing in my classroom.鈥�

Another graduate, Katrina McGrady, who worked as a special education instructional aide in the Talladega County Schools while enrolled, said the program鈥檚 hands-on, practical structure stood out the most.

鈥淢y pre-assessment for integrated arts revealed I struggled with how to integrate art into math, so most of my assignments for that course focused on that,鈥� McGrady said. 鈥淥ne project鈥攁 tessellations assignment鈥擨 implemented with my sixth-grade students. They loved it, and it worked just like it was supposed to. This program teaches you things you can immediately implement in your classroom.鈥�

Stephanie Applegate, a paraprofessional at Faucett-Vestavia Elementary in the Tuscaloosa County School System for the past 23 years, agreed.

鈥淎ll my assignments are so classroom-centered,鈥� Applegate said.  鈥淵es, I鈥檓 getting the background knowledge I still need, but I鈥檓 applying it to real scenarios I鈥檒l face as a teacher. The work is rigorous, but it鈥檚 easier to see the relevance鈥攚hy I鈥檓 learning it and how I鈥檒l use it.鈥�

Through the self-paced structure, Applegate said the program has shortened her expected completion date to May 2026鈥攁 semester earlier than originally planned.

The program currently enrolls between 45 and 50 students, and Miller said interest continues to grow. While competency-based models exist in other disciplines and at other universities, she said similar approaches remain rare in teacher education. UWA鈥檚 program was the first of its kind in teacher education to receive accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and has positioned the University as a pioneer in competency-based teacher preparation.

Miller said the university plans to expand competency-based offerings in summer 2026 with the launch of a master鈥檚-level CBE program in elementary, early childhood, and special education.

The graduate track will serve Alternative Class A (Alt A) candidates鈥攊ndividuals who already hold a bachelor鈥檚 degree in a non-teaching field but want to become certified educators. Rather than completing a traditional undergraduate education degree, Alt A students earn a master鈥檚 degree that leads to initial teacher certification. The competency-based format will allow these career changers to progress based on demonstrated mastery, potentially accelerating their path into the classroom.

Miller said the goal of UWA鈥檚 competency-based education programs is to produce competent, highly qualified educators more efficiently without compromising standards.

鈥淲e鈥檙e not lowering expectations,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e recognizing experience, honoring what candidates already know and focusing our time on what they still need to master. That鈥檚 how we get strong teachers into classrooms faster鈥攁nd that鈥檚 what Alabama needs.鈥�

For more information on UWA鈥檚 competency-based education programs, contact Jan Miller at (205) 652.3445 or jmiller@uwa.edu.

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Story by: Lisa Sollie

The 宅男福利社 dedicated the National Pan-Hellenic Council Plaza on March 9, celebrating the enduring impact the NPHC has had on the 宅男福利社community for over 50 years.

Founded on May 10, 1930, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., the National Pan-Hellenic Council鈥攚idely known as the 鈥淒ivine Nine鈥濃�攚as established to unite historically Black Greek-letter organizations, provide a collective voice, and coordinate their efforts nationwide. Its member organizations include Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.

宅男福利社President Dr. Todd G. Fritch reflected in his remarks on the plaza鈥檚 history, as well as the important role NPHC organizations have played in shaping the experiences, leadership, and success of 宅男福利社students.

鈥淎t UWA, students are our purpose,鈥� Fritch said. 鈥淭hat belief guides our work every single day, and it is reflected in the opportunities we create for students to grow, lead, and serve. The organizations represented within the NPHC embody those ideals in very powerful ways. Through scholarship, service, leadership, and lifelong sisterhood and brotherhood, NPHC organizations help students develop not only as scholars, but as leaders and professionals who go forward and make a positive difference in their communities.鈥�

For Byron Thetford, dean of students and interim vice president of student affairs, and Dr. B.J. Kimbrough, dean of graduate studies and campus culture liaison, the plaza represents a 10-year labor of love.

鈥淭his plaza did not start with brick and stone,鈥� Thetford said during the dedication ceremony. 鈥淚t began with a student-driven vision and conversations with faculty and staff. That effort eventually led to a meeting with Dr. Kimbrough, 宅男福利社Police Chief Josette White, and Dr. LaJuan Hutchinson, associate professor of physical education and advisor for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., to explore how we could more visibly recognize and celebrate the rich history and contributions of the Divine Nine at UWA.鈥�

A combination of fundraising efforts, grant support, and encouragement from University leadership helped bring the long-envisioned plaza from concept to completion. UWA鈥檚 Student Government Association voted last year to contribute ancillary funds from student fees to help pay for a portion of the plaques and landscaping around the plaza.

鈥淭his plaza is more than a space鈥攊t鈥檚 a symbol,鈥� Kimbrough said. 鈥淚t is a visible reminder of the rich history and cultural pride of the Divine Nine and a place where students can see their identities, traditions, and contributions reflected in the physical landscape of UWA鈥檚 campus.鈥�

Standing as a permanent tribute to the impact of the Divine Nine had at UWA, the plaza is an installation that project coordinators hope will serve as a place of pride, reflection, unity, and celebration for years to come.

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