Three Covey College Faculty Members Selected as LevelUP Fellows
Posted on September 14, 2026
Three faculty members from the University of South Alabama Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions have been selected for the 2026-2027 LevelUP Fellows cohort.
The Covey College faculty members selected are Catherine Cooper of the Department of Radiologic Sciences, Ashley Flagge of the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, and Sarah Urankar of the Department of Biomedical Sciences. Their selection gives the College representation across three academic areas in the university-wide initiative.
“I am incredibly proud of Cathy Cooper, Ashley Flagge and Sarah Urankar for being selected as LevelUP Fellows,” said Susan Gordon-Hickey, dean of the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions. “Their selection is a wonderful recognition of their commitment to our students and to continually advancing their teaching.”
The LevelUP Fellows program is part of South Alabama’s LevelUP: Uniquely Prepared initiative, which focuses on helping students develop the skills, experiences and professional readiness needed for their next steps after graduation.
Fellows participate in a year-long professional learning and project development experience focused on student preparation and success. During the year, they will help develop and pilot resources for students, faculty and staff; support professional development and assessment activities; provide individual support to members of the university community; and carry out an innovation or research project designed to advance the goals of LevelUP.
Gordon-Hickey said the fellows’ work also aligns with the College’s broader goals for student learning and academic innovation.
“It is exciting to see faculty from three different areas of our College come together around a shared commitment to educational excellence,” she said. “One of the priorities in our strategic plan is to continually strengthen the educational experience we provide, and faculty who are willing to explore new ideas, thoughtfully innovate and share what they learn with their colleagues are essential to that work.”
She added, “Cathy, Ashley and Sarah exemplify the kind of faculty leadership that will help us continue moving our College forward.”
The 2026-2027 LevelUP Fellows cohort includes 10 faculty and staff members from academic and student-support areas across South Alabama. Fellows were selected through a competitive application and review process.
For the Covey College, the participation of faculty from Radiologic Sciences, Speech Pathology and Audiology, and Biomedical Sciences strengthens the College’s broader commitment to student readiness, professional preparation and innovation across its academic programs.
