Message from the Dean
The third class of Mitchell Ambassadors began their duties in August. The group represents the College with internal and external constituents acting as a resource for students, faculty, and the community. In effect, these students ARE the Mitchell College to a number of people. It’s my pleasure to introduce them to you.
Blakney Barnett hails from Santa Rosa Beach, Florida and is a senior general management major. She calls the decision to transfer from Troy University “the best decision that I have ever made.” Upon graduation, she plans to develop and market the product that she created in her Creativity and Innovation class.
Mary Kristin Lee, a member of the first class of Mitchell Ambassadors, is from Mobile. A senior marketing major, she plans to attend graduate school studying healthcare administration. In addition to interning in the sales and marketing department at the USS Alabama, she serves as the USA Marching Band photographer and works part-time at a local cupcake shop.
Miena Haider, another member of the initial class of Ambassadors, is a native of Hamburg, Germany. She moved with her family to Mobile with the opening of the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility. A senior Mitchell Scholar majoring in marketing management, Miena speaks 4½ languages. She spent a semester abroad at ESC-Rennes last spring and plans to attend graduate school following graduation.
A native of Bogota, Columbia, Gabriela Vargas-Uribe now lives in Birmingham. After completing a semester studying abroad in Germany this fall, she will graduate with a degree in marketing with a major in international business. Her post-graduation plans are uncertain—find a job, attend graduate school, or spend some time traveling while making the decision.
Buying a home and managing an iconic Mobile fast-food restaurant while completing an accounting degree is not typical for many college seniors; “not typical” describes Savannah Otte. A native of Hoover, Alabama, Savannah plans to move to St. Louis following graduation and pursue an MBA at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, while working for a major public accounting firm.
Shelby Weaver is another member of the initial Mitchell Ambassador class from Mobile. After graduation next spring, she plans to join a public accounting firm and sit for the CPA. She is currently completing an internship at a Mobile accounting firm.
A junior majoring in management with the entrepreneurship concentration, Camellia Atkinson is from Atlanta, Georgia. A second-generation Jag, she plans to pursue a career in event planning somewhere in the Southeast.
Joshua Crownover, the current USA Student Government Association President, hails from Satsuma, Alabama. A junior finance major and Mitchell Scholar, Josh plans to earn a JD/MBA and enter public service or a career in higher education.
Ashley Heitling is a junior from Mount Dora, Florida majoring in marketing. She captains the University of South Alabama cross-country team and recently finished in the top five at the conference championships. She holds the USA record at the 5000 meter distance. Following graduation she plans to join a non-profit organization in the Orlando or Miami area.
Avril McRae, a junior Mitchell scholar grew up on Dauphin Island, Alabama. A junior majoring in accounting, Avril plans to earn a graduate degree and sit for the CPA. She is the proud owner of two pugs that she treats like children.
Sabrina Garrett, a sophomore Mitchell Scholar from Pelham, Alabama, interned with Alabama Power in Birmingham last summer. Her career goals include a CPA and an accounting position in the regulatory or audit area. When not working in the Mitchell College Dean’s Office, she volunteers at the Mobile Animal Rescue Foundation.
A native of Gadsden, Alabama, Owen Hicks is a sophomore accounting major. A Mitchell Scholar, she serves as assistant New Member Educator for Chi Omega and also works in the Mitchell College Dean’s Office. Following graduation, she plans to attend graduate school and sit for the CPA.
Stacy Sergeant, a sophomore Mitchell Scholar majoring in marketing, is from Mobile. South Alabama is a family-affair; both parents are alumni and his sister will graduate from USA this spring with a degree in nursing. Upon graduation, Stacy plans to pursue a career in medical sales.
With a double major in accounting and finance, Baxley Stokes plans to pursue a career in forensic accounting with the FBI or a public accounting firm. A sophomore from Mobile, he enjoys golf when not studying or working part-time for a public accounting firm.