The UAB SUCCESS Initiative has named its fourth-quarter Student SUCCESS Champion awardee: The School of Public Health Office of Student & Academic Services.

The award was created to recognize exceptional commitment to student support and success. The recognition is open to both teams and individuals who go above and beyond in supporting student achievement.

The Office of Student & Academic Services (OSAS) is dedicated to supporting students from enrollment through graduation while fostering a culture of collaboration across the School. Led by Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Greg Pavela, Ph.D. (left), and Assistant Dean for Student and Academic Services Angela Sullivan, Ph.D. (right), OSAS strives to support student success by supporting all student-facing faculty and staff. The team includes (from left to right),

First row:

• Richard Bennett — Program Manager, Student Recruitment
• Nicole Gravitt, MAEd — Program Director – Academic Planning and Advising
• Michelle Henry, MA — Academic Advisor, Program Manager – SPH Programs
• Meghan Walker — Program Coordinator, Population Health and Coordinated Degree Programs

Second row:

• Kathryn Corvey, DrPH, MPH — Assistant Professor; Program Director, BS in Public Health
• Jason Simmelink — Academic Advisor, Program Manager – SPH Programs
• Jasmine Searcy — Administrative Associate
• Amanda Bosque — Director of Admissions

The Office of Student & Academic Services facilitates academic planning and development through several initiatives, including the revitalization of the Community Engagement Council, whose feedback ensures programs remain relevant to workforce needs, and faculty development workshops to bring together program directors from across the school to share strategies and advice.

Despite staffing and funding challenges, the team has supported a growing undergraduate student population, the development of several new degree programs in the school, and organized events that promote belonging and mental health. Students praise OSAS for creating a welcoming environment and connecting them to valuable resources, while faculty commend their transparency and partnership.

In his letter of support, Dean of the UAB School of Public Health Paul Erwin, M.D., DrPH, praised the team for broadening the vision of student support in the school.

“[The team] represent[s] a profound reimagining of how student and academic services can function as the connective tissue of a school—linking data to strategy, faculty to students, and the classroom to the community,” said Erwin. “OSAS exemplifies what it means to champion student success in its fullest sense.”

The Student SUCCESS Champion Award, launched in 2025, celebrates faculty and staff who go above and beyond to support student success at UAB. Nominations are accepted quarterly, and honorees are selected based on their contributions to student engagement, retention, and achievement.

2026 first quarter nominations must be submitted by March 1, 2026.