Seven University of Alabama at Birmingham faculty members were selected by a committee of UAB Honors College students and finalized by honors staff to become members of the 2024-2025 Honors Faculty Fellows. They will create and implement year-long projects to provide additional academic learning opportunities through engaging enrichment initiatives.
Honors students will be offered a vast array of experiential learning objectives including media and influence, financial literacy, spontaneous combustion and public health, Tae Kwon Do, healthcare challenges around the world, wildlife exploration, and stress relief through hand-made crafts.
The new cohort includes Brooke Becker, M.L.I.S., associate professor and media literacy librarian; Phil Cendoma, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Health Services Administration; Matthew Fifolt, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the Survey Research Unit in the Department of Health Care Organization and Policy; Mark Banaszak Holl, Ph.D., associate dean for research & professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering; Steven Howard, Ph.D., associate professor and director of M.S. in Healthcare Administration (Executive) in the Department of Health Services Administration; Aaron Pahl, M.F.A., assistant professor and digital curation librarian; and Marliese Thomas, M.L.I.S., assistant professor and fine arts librarian.
Read below to learn more about how each faculty member plans to spend their fellowship.
Brooke Becker, M.L.I.S.
UAB Libraries
“Media Over Mind: Honors Movie Night”
Through a series of movies and follow-up discussions, Professor Brooke Becker will introduce students to a “behind the scenes” look at how media – from TV and movies to games, AI, and social media – influence how we think and live.
“According to prominent communication theorist, Hugh Rank, there is a distinct difference in the socioeconomic status of people who identify as persuaders and those who are known as persuadees,” Becker said. “In this series, students will examine different aspects of life touched by media and discuss what it takes to be considered truly literate. At the end of the day, will you be a persuader or the persuaded?”
Phil Cendoma, Ph.D.
School of Health Professions
“Honors Financial Toolkit: Navigating College and Beyond with Confidence”
Dr. Phil Cendoma will establish basic financial literacy for honors students through a series of sessions. Honors students will explore strategies for effectively managing debt, including student loans and credit cards, while learning the fundamentals of building and maintaining a strong credit score. They will also learn how to create a budget and set financial goals using practical tools to make informed decisions that positively impact their financial health, both during college and in their future endeavors.
“By attending these sessions, honors students will receive the introductory building blocks of finance,” Cendoma said. “Through their participation, they will be able to master the art of budgeting, learn how to effectively manage finances by balancing income, expenses, and savings to achieve both short-term goals and long-term financial security. They will develop crucial insights into managing debt responsibly, building strong credit, and make informed financial decisions that pave the way for a secure financial future.”
Matthew Fifolt, Ph.D.
School of Public Health
“Zombies, Spontaneous Combustion, and Public Health”
Through a series of informal-style meetings, Dr. Matthew Fifolt will host a book club where students can explore various themes, including public health, through two works of fiction. In the fall, students will read Nothing to See Here, by Kevin Wilson. In the spring, students will read Zone One, by Pulitzer-prize winning author, Colson Whitehead.
“Through this book club, I hope students will enjoy great works of fiction, have fun, build community, and possibly think about things in a new way,” Fifolt said.
Mark Banaszak Holl, Ph.D. 
School of Engineering
“Building Student Resiliency via Martial Arts”
Dr. Mark Banaszak Holl will use the discipline of Tae Kwon Do (Korean: foot hand way) to educate students about the aspects of the art which include mind and body control, flexibility and stretching, basic foot and hand techniques, basic stances, and forms (kata). Students will learn how martial arts explicitly integrates physical and mental tasks, along with challenges, to assist students with mind-body development. The goals are to develop improved mental and physical discipline that assists the practitioner with all other facets of their life, including their academic and professional goals.
“The primary goal is increased mental and physical self-discipline leading to increased self-confidence,” Banaszak Holl said. “In the group setting, there is also a key goal of fellowship. The hope is that it helps them in the short term in their UAB career and in the long term in a better life experience.”
Steven Howard, Ph.D.
School of Health Professions
“Comparative Health Systems: Healthcare System Designs from around the World”
In this seminar series, Dr. Steven Howard's student attendees will learn about common designs of healthcare systems around the world, including National Health Services, National Health Insurance, and Social Health Insurance systems. They will hear from guest speakers from multiple different countries – including Costa Rica and Italy. Students who will travel on the healthcare system study trip to Costa Rica will share a report on their experience.
“By participating in the Comparative Health System series in the Honors College, students learn the important differences between the U.S. healthcare system and the other major health system designs around the world,” Howard said. “We will inquire more deeply and get beyond the over-simplified headlines in the mass media to truly understand how other systems work, their strengths, their weaknesses, and what they are doing to continually improve on delivering better health for the money.”
Aaron Pahl, M.F.A.
UAB Libraries
“Exploring Birmingham’s Wildlife and Natural Environment”
Professor Aaron Pahl will lead events that give students the opportunity to interact with wildlife and explore the diversity of environmental resources Birmingham has to offer. Students will have the opportunity to attend demonstrations and presentations at UAB or visit some of the wildlife-focused organizations around Birmingham including the Alabama Wildlife Center and the Birmingham Zoo.
“I hope UAB Honors College students gain unique exposure to Birmingham’s local environment including wildlife while learning about biodiversity and conservation efforts,” Pahl said. “By experiencing animals up close, students will understand the importance of preserving our environment and discover potential career opportunities within ecology and related fields. These events aim to inspire a deeper appreciation for the environment.”
Marliese Thomas, M.L.I.S.
UAB Libraries
“Handcrafts, community, and stress relief”
In this event series, Professor Marliese Thomas will host a monthly meeting for students to experience needlecrafts as a medium for mental rest and to discuss issues of personal expression through textiles. She will provide instruction and kits for embroidery, or students can bring their own works in progress. At the end of the school year, students who opt in will have their work displayed in Sterne Library.
"I hope students will walk away with at least one more tool in their toolbelt to bring themselves peace and joy, and one more faculty member they can call for support and guidance,” Thomas said. “My goal is to create a safe, judgement-free space for students to play with color and texture, and to share my great love of the decorative arts as a craft and a study topic.”
For questions or inquiries to apply for the 2025-2026 cohort, contact the Associate Dean of the Honors College, Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk, D.M.A., at
