Lou Anne Worthington, Ph.D., is the new chair of the School of Education's Department of Leadership, Special Education & Foundations. She succeeds William Rogan, Ph.D., who has retired.

Worthington was the special education coordinator for the school from 2002 to 2007. Her research and teaching interests include the nature and needs of children with disabilities, inclusion, special education law and special education instructional strategies and methods.

She has been president of the Alabama Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders and a consultant to the Alabama Department of Education.

Worthington has been a member of the UAB faculty since 1996. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Auburn University in 1977 and 1986 respectively. She earned her doctorate degree from the University of Alabama in 1995.