Institutional Effectiveness Welcomes Third Cohort of LevelUP Fellows
Posted on October 6, 2025 by Michelle Hale
Institutional Effectiveness Welcomes Third Cohort of LevelUP Fellows
Through a competitive selection process, the Office of Institutional Effectiveness has announced the third cohort of LevelUP Fellows for the 2025-2026 academic year. The onboarding of this new group marks another milestone in the ongoing implementation of the LevelUP Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), focused on preparing South Alabama students to be uniquely equipped for their next steps. The 2025 - 2026 Fellows represent eight academic programs and two student support areas, reflecting the cross-campus collaboration at the heart of the LevelUP QEP.
The LevelUP Fellows for 2025 - 2026 are:
- Gayan Abeynanda (Mathematics & Statistics)
- Caitlyn Hauff (Health, Kinesiology & Sport)
- Sohee Kim (Counseling & Instructional Sciences)
- Molly Miller (Marine & Environmental Sciences)
- Jessica Owsley (English)
- Alexis Rockwell (Criminal Justice)
- Alani Rodgers (Biomedical Sciences)
- Bailey Smith (Student Affairs)
- Heather Sprinkle (Student Affairs)
- Donna Streeter (Nursing)
The LevelUP Fellows held their first Monthly Cohort Meeting on October 3, 2025, where they explored strategies for developing their LevelUP projects and promoting awareness of the NACE Career Readiness Competencies within their disciplines and areas. The session was guided by learning outcomes focused on leadership and project development. Fellows identified the key steps outlined in Kotter’s Change Model, applied principles of organizational change to higher education leadership scenarios, and engaged in collaborative discussions to develop new insights and strategies for advancing their individual LevelUP projects.
“Our LevelUP Fellows are faculty and staff with exceptional qualifications who have a strong desire to lead, innovate, and inspire,” said Julie Estis, Ph.D., Associate Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness. “As champions for the QEP, they will complete projects that transform ideas into impactful realities, fostering a culture of continuous improvement that enhances student success across campus.”
In addition to their individual projects, Fellows collaborate with peers and university stakeholders to extend the reach and impact of LevelUP. Their work advances USA’s mission to make a difference in the lives of those it serves through discovery, health, and learning, and supports the University’s strategic priority to improve student access and success.