Women of Influence (WOI) members believe in the transformational power of education.  Our influence is greater collectively than it is individually. We will work collaboratively to utilize each member’s strengths, providing the University of North Alabama students, faculty and staff with opportunities and experiences they need to grow, thrive, and succeed. WOI will be intentional with our program support, evaluating all opportunities to provide the most impact. We will give voice to the unheard and influence positive change in support of the educational mission of the University of North Alabama.

FISCAL YEAR 2025

A Community of Communication for Children with Special Needs

Recipient: Dr. Rebecca Hopkins

This project provides collaborative teacher-education students with hands-on field experience, equipping them with visual communication tools. By partnering with community locations, the initiative enhances accessibility for children with disabilities while reinforcing UNA’s commitment to experiential learning, community engagement, and excellence.

Collaborative Initiative for Infant and Toddler Education

Recipient: Dr. Hongxia Zhao

This initiative strengthens early childhood education by equipping pre-service and in-service teachers in faith-based childcare centers with the skills to observe, document, and interpret infant and toddler learning. Through developmentally appropriate practices, educators foster meaningful learning experiences, promote cognitive and social growth, and build strong early learning foundations.

Enhancing the ESports Program at UNA

Recipient: Mr. Jon Allen and Dr. Chris DaSambiagio- Moore

This program expands UNA’s Esports program by upgrading technology, integrating academic opportunities, and enhancing competitive gaming. It fosters student engagement, professional development, and community outreach while strengthening UNA’s role in collegiate Esports. The initiative supports academic excellence, and innovation, aligning with UNA’s mission and benefiting students, faculty, and the community.

Experience the World!

Recipient: Dr. Alejandra Alvarado-Brizuela

The Department of Foreign Languages is leading three study abroad trips in summer 2025 to France, Germany, and Spain, offering students immersive global experiences. WOI funding supports students with financial needs, prioritizing first-time travelers and first-generation students. Recipients will share their experiences at campus events, promoting global learning and cultural engagement.

Increasing Access to Stem Education: A Summer Camp for High School Students

Recipient: Dr. Andrea Hunt

This residential UNA summer camp immerses high school students in real-world STEM activities. Campers develop logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and teamwork while engaging directly with UNA faculty and cutting-edge technology. The program introduces students to various STEM careers and pathways to college.

Laser Camp: Bringing Steam to Light

Recipient: Dr. Mel Blake

Laser Camp provides high school students with an interactive STEAM experience, combining laser show creation with optics exploration. Participants learn how to use Quickshow software to design laser displays synchronized with music, explore lenses and prisms, study constellations at the UNA Planetarium, and hone their presentation skills at the conclusion of camp.

Kilby Whole Health Initiative

Recipient: Dr. Eric Kirkman

Kilby Laboratory School's Whole Health Initiative teaches students about the importance of healthy eating and introduces them to growing their own food. Students have hands-on learning experiences planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops. Once the crops are harvested, they collaborate with UNA’s Jeff Eubanks Culinary Arts Management program to prepare healthy meals.

Linking Lionesses: Girls Roaring in Robotics

Recipient: Ms. Misty Buerhaus

Linking Lionesses empowers 4th-6th grade girls at Kilby Laboratory School by fostering curiosity, exploration, and confi-dence in STEM. Through hands-on workshops, mentorship, and robotics competitions, the program encourages early STEM engagement. 

Leo’s Feel Good Fest

Recipient: Dr. Lisa Harrington

Leo's Feel Good Fest promotes mental and physical well-being by increasing community awareness, education, and access to health resources. This event fosters belonging across UNA’s diverse campus and the Shoals community, while encouraging wellness through an engaging and innovative approach.

On Board for Success!

Recipient: Ms. Julie Lane

Born from the need to replace an outdated Smartboard, this project enhances learning by providing a new, high-quality screen. The upgrade improves technology integration and instructional demonstrations, benefiting both Kilby students and the UNA students who observe and teach in the classroom.

Tiny Cubs Boutique

Recipient: Dr. Melissa DeFoor and Dr. Ann Marie Irons

Tiny Cubs supports expectant mothers enrolled at UNA. Pregnant students receive gift cards to the Virtual Tiny Cubs Boutique, where they can purchase essential maternity and newborn clothing, reducing financial strain on the student.

First Lady's Initiatives

FISCAL YEAR 2024

First Lady Initiatives

50/50

This campaign directly impacts the lives of UNA's female student-athletes. This fund provides resources that will continue to shape the trajectory of our eight women's athletic programs and assist them as they continue to grow and evolve.

CARING FOR THE PRIDE

Caring for the Pride is emergency financial assistance available to students, faculty, and staff to assist with one-time unexpected needs.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM ROOM FUELING STATION

The Women's Basketball Team Room Fueling Station provides our female student-athletes the opportunity to refuel their bodies with healthy drinks, snacks, and supplements.

ACONHP Disaster Simulation

The ACONHP Disaster Simulation project provides first and fourth-level nursing students experiential learning opportunities in triage and emergency situations. The ACONHP Disaster Simulation involves community health and leadership nursing students as well as local police, fire, EMS, EMA, and ADPH agencies.

Inside-out Prison Exchange Program Travel

Increasing Access to Stem Education: A Summer Camp for High School Students

Shoals Designer Showcase

Project Impact

Roar for Wellness: Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI) Nutrition Program

Meal Plan Scholarships

Leo's Feel Good Fest

Cole Honors College Global Education Fund

Paw Prints: Preparing to Find Your Roar

Supporting Female Special Educators

FISCAL YEAR 2023

Kilby Laboratory School

The Kilby Safety Improvement Project focuses on providing physical enhancements and education for the faculty and staff on ways to improve the current status of the safety infrastructure at Kilby. We will seek resources to make the physical building even more secure. We will also provide educational opportunities and training for the faculty and staff to ensure they are utilizing best practices for a safe and nurturing learning environment at Kilby.

The $50 for 50 Campaign

This campaign directly impacts the lives of our female student-athletes. This fund provides resources that will continue to shape the trajectory of our eight Women’s programs and assist them as they continue to grow and evolve.

Children's Respite Program

Local families are given the opportunity to bring their child with special needs and their siblings to monthly Respite Program events. The program provides an evening of food, fun and engaging social activities for these families.

Tiny Cubs Community Baby Shower

This project contributes to the continuation of a baby shower event and siblings Bootcamp aimed at low-income mothers, new expecting parents, and soon-to-be siblings. The aim of this event is to increase awareness and prevention of infant mortality rates in the state of Alabama while also providing senior-level student nurses with an opportunity to lead in public health promotion. 

Poverty Simulation: An Immersive Experience

MUNCH: Making UNforgettable Children Less Hungry

The purpose of MUNCH is to provide food bags each week to children who are in need of nourishment over the weekend. The children receiving these bags are identified by the respective school counselors but are not shared with the organization.  These bags are packed with a variety of breakfast, lunch, and snack items that are kid friendly.

FISCAL YEAR 2022

Stock the Classroom: A First-Year Teacher Initiative

UNA’s Teacher Education Program (TEP) remains one of the most established, premier preparatory programs for future educators in Alabama. Upon their final semester at UNA, TEP students work full-time as unpaid student-teacher interns, gaining valuable experience and enriching school systems in the process. Twenty students participating in the program will receive $250 for classroom supplies.

International Women's Day Celebration

Women in Business is a new Registered Student Organization that officially got off the ground in fall 2020. Its purpose is to support the advancement of women through mentorship and community. WIB provides mentorship through engagement with faculty and community leaders; hosts skill-building workshops; and focuses on empowerment and education in terms of relevant issues facing today’s women. International Women’s Day is March 8, 2022, and marks a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. In honor of this and the Year of the UNA Woman, Women in Business will host a week-long celebration of events.

First-Generation Student Mentoring Program

Approximately 25 percent of UNA students are the first in their immediate families to attend college. However, in the absence of programming focused solely on their needs other than an affinity group that was started last year, it was time to do more. The First-Generation Student Mentoring Program has 21 students enrolled and matched with faculty, staff, and alumni mentors for the 2021-2022 academic year. Each participant who completes the program will be awarded a $100 book scholarship.

The Lion, The Pitch, and the Wardrobe

With limited space in the Career Center for the former clothing closet, some UNA students find it difficult to dress for success for interviews and job fairs. While virtual interviews are becoming the norm, formal in-person meetings require students to look professional in order to make a strong first impression. Each selected student will be provided with a maximum of $250 to be applied toward the purchase of professional attire for interviews.