Seven University of Alabama at Birmingham faculty members are named Honors Faculty Fellows for the 2025-2026 academic year. They will offer transformative learning opportunities that will enhance the college experience for UAB Honors College students.
Selected by a committee of Honors College students, the new cohort of Honors Faculty Fellows will offer a variety of academic and enrichment opportunities that includes an introduction to vision science and optometry, social advocacy through arts and crafts, financial literacy, leadership development, history and fundamentals of Gospel Music, impact of cultural festivals, and mental health and disability awareness.
The new cohort includes Keisha Brown, O.D., assistant professor in the Department of Optometry and Vision Science; Cindy Cain, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Sociology; Phil Cendoma, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Health Services Administration; C. Allen Gorman, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Management, Information Systems and Quantitative Methods; Reginald Jackson, Ed.D., assistant professor in the Department of Music; Ling Ma, Ph.D., instructor in the Department of World Languages and Literatures; and Sandra Wang-Harris, O.D., associate professor in the Department of Optometry and Vision Science.
Read below to learn more about how each faculty member plans to dedicate their fellowship.
Keisha Brown, O.D.
School of Optometry
“Eye on the Future: An Optometry Experience”
Dr. Keisha Brown’s event series will provide students with a comprehensive introduction to optometry through a multi-faceted approach. Students will learn through case-based and hands on enrichment such as clinical shadowing and community engagement, as well as optometry school preparation and diagnostic vision testing.
“This initiative aims to broaden students’ understanding of healthcare sciences and career options, ultimately bridging the gap between undergraduate studies and the professional healthcare setting allowing them the opportunity to successfully navigate a challenging journey,” Brown said.
Cindy Cain, Ph.D.
College of Arts and Sciences
“Makers in Action Club”
Honors students will learn how to make positive change in the world using their creativity with arts and crafts through discussions and hands-on activities in Dr. Cindy Cain’s event series. Sessions will include small sewing projects such as bags, pajamas, and home items. Participants will personalize their creations to reflect social issues that matter to them.
"I hope students will feel inspired by what they can do with their own hands and efforts,” Cain said. “Learning a new skill, and using it to make a better world, is an enormous source of empowerment."
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.”
C. Allen Gorman, Ph.D. 
Collat School of Business
“Birmingham Leadership Lab”
Through a dynamic leadership initiative, Dr. C. Allen Gorman will introduce students to prominent companies in Birmingham. Each half-day session will follow a structured agenda that includes a company tour and introduction, leadership panel, a real-life organizational challenge, student team solution pitches, panel feedback and winner selection, and a networking lunch. There will also be a special panel event where local business leaders will talk to students about their leadership journeys and success.
“Birmingham itself is a leadership classroom,” Gorman said. “We are surrounded by great companies headed by fantastic leaders. This program will be a game changer for our students by connecting them to local leaders who have impact on our city and our region every day. Students will connect with local executives, test their problem solving on real world issues that organizations face every day, and walk away with experience on showing up and delivering in front of the best leaders in our great city. The goal isn’t a tour; it’s a transformation.”
Reginald Jackson, Ed.D.
College of Arts and Sciences
“The Fun and Excitement of Gospel Choir Singing”
Dr. Reginald Jackson will cover various styles of Gospel Music while charting a historical course from the resonances of Africa to slavery, through the spirituals, and many styles of Gospel Music. Through a series of interactive events, students will learn elements of improvisation, movements, clapping, swaying, call and response, hand gestures, breathing exercises, vowel sounds, and three-part singing. Students will also explore the creative resistances of African American Music, and research connections and influences among various styles of music to determine if there would be various styles of African American Music without slavery and the influence of African Culture.
“Students will gain valuable insights into the fundamental of Gospel Music while learning about the historical significance and influence of Gospel Music on the music of today,” Jackson said.
Ling Ma, Ph.D.
College of Arts and Sciences
“Embracing Culture: The Art of Asian Festivals”
Honors students will be led on an immersive journey of Asian culture exploration to learn how festivals shape communities and celebrate heritage through Dr. Ling Ma’s dynamic sessions. Students will learn how to organize major cultural events and cook traditional dishes, while hearing stories from faculty and student leaders and tackling real-world challenges. Students will apply their knowledge with hands-on projects.
"My hope is that students will not only learn about the rich history and traditions behind Asian festivals but also gain a deep appreciation for the hard work and community collaboration required to bring these celebrations to life,” Ma said. “Through their direct involvement, they will become active participants in cultural preservation and community building."
Sandra Wang-Harris, O.D.
School of Optometry
“Celebrating Ability Through Sport and Wellness”
Dr. Sandra Wang-Harris will provide honors students opportunities to experience and participate in adaptive aquatics, cycling, goalball, wheelchair basketball, soccer, and archery at Birmingham’s own Lakeshore Foundation. Each session will not only be fun and motivational but will also highlight the joy, vitality, and sense of fulfillment that come from healthy living and movement—for everyone. The motto for this event series is “there is no physical limit to human achievement.”
“As a mother of a disabled child, I know firsthand what motivation and a positive attitude can do for people with disabilities,” Wang-Harris said. “The goal of these events is for students to explore a wide range of activities and sports designed for individuals of all abilities and to have fun.
For questions or inquiries to apply for the 2026-2027 cohort, contact the Assistant Dean of the Honors College, Kevin Fontaine, Ph.D., at
