Nominations for second-quarter 2026 are open; submit a nomination today.
Robert Ballard, information security engineer in Enterprise Information Security; Catherine Crowe, senior international officer and executive director for International Faculty and Staff Immigration Services; and Alison Kniseley, learning and development specialist in Human Resources, are the first-quarter 2026 honorees for the UAB Values in Action Program.
The UAB VIP Award honors employees whose work exemplifies and embodies one or more of the We CARE Shared Values outlined in the Forging Ahead strategic plan: Collaborate, Act with Integrity, Respect All and Excel. All three honorees have made a lasting impact on the fabric and culture of UAB by exemplifying the university’s shared values.
Honorees are nominated by their colleagues and selected by a committee of individuals from across the campus and UAB Hospital. Nominations for second-quarter 2026 honorees are open through April 15; submit a nomination. One of the 2026 VIP honorees will be selected for the annual President’s Award for Excellence in Shared Values.
Meet this quarter’s UAB VIP Award honorees:
Robert Ballard
When a late‑night phishing attack targeted more than 300 UAB instructors, Robby Ballard, information security engineer with the Enterprise Information Security team, was one of the first people to respond. He eradicated the malicious email, determined who clicked the link, investigated the fraudulent site and helped the affected employee secure their accounts before damage could spread. His quick action also helped stop a fraudulent direct‑deposit account opened in one employee’s name.
This rapid, thorough response mirrors the qualities Ballard demonstrates every day in his role with UAB IT, colleagues say.
Ballard’s role in the phishing incident response came as no surprise to Kendra Thompson, HR Partners manager for IT administration, who recently worked with him on a third-party data access request to investigate an employee’s actions.
Thompson could not believe how quickly he responded, saying she received a message to set up a call within an hour of submitting her request.
“He was also thorough, going as far as to provide me with information that I didn't know I needed until he gave it to me,” Thompson said. She adds that it was clear from their interactions that Ballard enjoys what he does.
HR Investigations Director Kandace Hamilton often partners with Ballard during complex investigations and says she values the way he approaches every investigation with accountability and thoroughness. “His prompt responses and careful attention to detail reflect his commitment to doing the right thing and maintaining trust,” Hamilton said.
As someone without a background in IT, “I deeply appreciate Robby’s ability to explain complex findings in clear, accessible language,” Hamilton added. “He shows respect by meeting me where I am, ensuring I understand the implications from a Human Resources perspective.”
This praise was echoed by HR Talent Relations Director Kelly Mayer, who said Ballard approaches each situation “with attentiveness, focus and remarkable patience, especially with those of us who are less tech-savvy.”
According to Mayer, Ballard often makes himself available at a moment’s notice to assist her department with complex investigations. But despite how challenging or time-sensitive the project is, “he consistently follows established processes and maintains the highest standards,” Mayer said. “Integrity and excellence are central to how he operates.”
This commitment to excellence — whether in stopping a phishing attack in its tracks or guiding colleagues through sensitive investigations — “has made a lasting and meaningful impact on our team and the broader UAB community,” Mayer said.
Catherine Crowe
As senior international officer and executive director for International Faculty and Staff Immigration Services (IFSIS), Catherine Crowe has become a trusted guide for departments across UAB facing the challenges of international hiring, immigration policy shifts and time‑sensitive visa processes. Colleagues consistently describe her as steady, responsive and exceptionally knowledgeable — qualities that have made her an essential partner to faculty, administrators and candidates alike.
Crowe’s mastery of the Conrad‑30 waiver and H‑1B processes is crucial to UAB’s ability to bring highly skilled medical professionals to Alabama, according to University of Alabama Health Services Foundation Vice President Jason Daniel, who praises the care and expertise with which Crowe navigates the constantly evolving landscape of international recruitment. “Because of her deep understanding of immigration policy and her meticulous approach to each case, UAB is able to recruit and retain world-class physicians whose skills are essential to delivering high-quality patient care,” Daniel said.
Kristina Sinclair, Administration and Strategy senior director for the Health Services Foundation, described Crowe as a “calming, stabilizing presence during uncertainty,” whether that was “responding to sudden federal policy shifts, government shutdowns or institution-wide disruptions.” As one example of Crowe’s proactive leadership, Sinclair points to her rapid organization of a 300-person campus town hall in the wake of a major H-1B policy change.
That guidance is especially critical during high‑pressure situations. In 2025, rapid and unpredictable federal policy changes left many departments unsure how to move forward. “It was a bumpy ride,” recalled Ashley Davis, Joint Health Sciences administrative director II, “but we made it through because [Crowe] was at the helm.” Davis credited Crowe’s unmatched knowledge of immigration processes and her ability to apply that knowledge with precision and compassion. “She understands that behind every visa, every petition and every compliance deadline is a person,” Davis said.
Crowe’s administrative colleagues rely on her as a consistent source of thorough and proactive guidance, allowing them to move forward “with confidence in an environment that is often highly regulated and time-sensitive,” said Starlette Jones Dabbs, executive administrator for Precision Medicine, Genomics and Genetics. “She works seamlessly across departments, communicates clearly and promptly, and approaches even the most complex cases with professionalism and respect.”
These efforts also directly influence the experience of international candidates considering UAB. Will Callans, administrator in Hematology and Oncology, says his division has recruited 16 international faculty members in recent years, all of whom have praised their experience with IFSIS under Crowe’s leadership. According to Callans, many described her team as the “most informed and organized group” they encountered during national interviews.
“In a competitive national landscape, where impressions form quickly and decisions even more quickly, she has given UAB an undeniable edge,” Callans said.
Alison Kniseley
Employees across UAB rely on Learning and Development Specialist Alison Kniseley for help with building career skills, strengthening collaboration and navigating new technologies. Whether she is coordinating campuswide learning programs or helping a colleague solve a last‑minute problem, Kniseley shows up ready to support others, colleagues say.
Learning and Development Manager Jerad Watson points to Kniseley’s partnership with UAB IT to launch TechTalk, a program that helps staff and faculty learn to use campus technologies effectively. “She intentionally collaborates with experts across UAB to ensure participants receive the most accurate and practical guidance,” Watson said.
Learning and Development Specialist Kal Keiffer echoed this sentiment, saying Kniseley makes a concerted effort to collaborate with multiple areas across campus — the goal being to help “all of UAB become the best they can be through learning and developing.”
This dedication is evident not just in her campuswide initiatives but in her day-to-day interactions with colleagues.
“I can always count on her willingness to help out,” said Organizational Development Specialist Tammy White. That includes helping to lighten the workload during high-volume periods. In the past year, Kniseley agreed to collaborate with White on a number of new initiatives and quickly became a trusted partner, scheduling time to review and practice her delivery of new material and promoting her fellow team members’ courses. And her technical acumen makes her “a real sleuth when my PC starts doing strange things,” White added.
Watson recalled how Kniseley helped onboard two Learning and Development specialists, ensuring the new staff members felt supported while seamlessly maintaining her own demanding program schedule without disruption. She is also the first to step up and help with anything from transporting colleagues to printing materials and setting up classrooms. “Her reliability and integrity make her a trusted colleague and an unsung hero who consistently delivers excellence without seeking recognition,” Watson said.
In the last year alone, Kniseley has delivered some 70 learning opportunities, reaching more than 3,000 participants — “a remarkable achievement that goes far beyond routine responsibilities,” Watson said.
According to Susan Coan, executive director of Learning and Development, Kniseley’s contributions include co‑writing and facilitating sessions using the SBI Feedback Model, facilitating team sessions to identify and leverage individual talents, and project‑management offerings, which include guiding teams through risk assessment, communication strategies and project-launch best practices. She was also instrumental in updating and delivering DISC behavioral assessment programs, creating materials that helped participants understand their own and others’ behavioral styles.
“Her initiatives have empowered individuals and teams to communicate more effectively, leverage their strengths and achieve shared goals,” Coan said.
Kniseley’s impact has been profound, Watson added: “Her efforts create spaces for growth and learning that benefit not only individual employees, but the entire organization.”