Story by: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

Working as a mental health technician at a psychiatric hospital in Tuscaloosa led Syndi Stevenson to study psychology at the University of West Alabama.

The Tuscaloosa native began studying kinesiology at Shelton State Community College after high school. Tired of taking online classes, she transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi. But she failed out, and the experience crushed her.

That’s when Stevenson decided to take a gap year—an experience that helped her realize she was in the wrong field.

“I struggled at USM and knew kinesiology wasn’t the right fit for me,” Stevenson said, “but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. After working for a year at Bryce Hospital, I knew I wanted to learn more about the field of psychology.”

Stevenson said Livingston’s proximity to her hometown and the low teacher/student ratio drew her to the UWA.

As a first-generation college student, she admits she floundered at times. Graduating from high school during the COVID-19 pandemic only added to the challenge.

“There was so much I didn’t know, especially all the opportunities that are out there and the different career paths you can take,” Stevenson said. “I am forever grateful to the people at UWA, the professors and others who have helped me along the way.”

Looking ahead to her next step, the once-shy transfer student will begin graduate school at UWA in the fall, with a goal of becoming a counselor working with young adults.

“One of my favorite things about my time at UWA is being a resident assistant,” Stevenson said. Several RAs, including my own, reached out to me after my first semester and told me I should apply. I have enjoyed it so much, and it has reinforced that I’m on the right track with my career path.”

The oldest of five, Stevenson is encouraging her siblings to go to college as well.

“I have a sister graduating high school in May who applied to two colleges, so I’m really excited about that. Even though she didn’t want to at first, it’s enough for me to know I made an impact and encouraged her to give it a try.”

On the Dean’s list the past three semesters, Stevenson credits her faith for getting her to this point.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the Lord. Everything worked out just like it was supposed to,” she said. “God had a purpose for me, even when I thought I couldn’t do it. I see that now.”

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

T.J. Runyon has always been fascinated by human behavior. His journey has taken him from studying fossils alongside James Lamb at the University of West Alabama’s Black Belt Museum to now earning an undergraduate degree in during Fall 2025 commencement exercises. Next up for the new graduate is a master’s program in clinical mental health counseling. Through it all, Runyon has been driven by a deep desire to help others that he says UWA helped him clarify and pursue.

Runyon discovered UWA during one of his life’s greatest challenges. After a blood cancer diagnosis in 2016 left him with ample time to read, his love for science resurfaced, especially his early interest in paleontology.

“I was a big science nerd growing up until I discovered sports in the fourth grade and never looked back,” he said. “I even studied exercise science in college.”

Family challenges later led him to leave school and enter the work force. While looking for ways to stay connected to paleontology, he met Lamb at UWA’s Black Belt Museum. There, he joined experts in the field for digs and spent countless hours working and spending time at the Museum.

“I really wanted to study paleontology. More specifically, I was interested in inferring behavior from the fossil record,” Runyon said.

But as a non-traditional student who needed to work full-time, he soon realized that path wasn’t feasible. Exploring other UWA programs that aligned with his interests, Runyon chose to study psychology—and after only two online classes, he fell in love with the field.

He said that completing coursework online required unique discipline, and he feels far more certain about his goals now than when he first entered college at 20. “At 35, I’m more mature and can handle the load and responsibility better. And at UWA, it felt like my experience was more blended. I came to campus fairly often, attending sporting events, met routinely with my professors—even had lunch with them a time or two.”

Runyon now plans to enroll in UWA’s , with the long-term goal of becoming a psychoanalyst.

“I’m also going to apply for a couple of mentorships and fellowships at psychoanalytic training institutes to supplement my graduate instruction,” he said. “I’ll get my license and then spend another three to five years doing psychoanalytic training.”

During his time at UWA, Runyon also co-authored a paper with Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg of the University of Montreal, published in the Journal of Psychology and Sexuality.

He is grateful for his opportunities at UWA and the supportive faculty, particularly Dr. Marti Herlong, an assistant professor of psychology. “She’s been very influential in my journey, and a great mentor who guided me along the way,” he said.  “There really is something about this place, and I’m excited to take my next step here.”

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

Four aspiring theater directors at the University of West Alabama are stepping into the spotlight this November as the Department of Communications and Creative Arts presents Double Takes, a student-directed showcase of one-act plays performed entirely by UWA students.

Making their directorial debuts Nov. 5-7 are Savanna Williams of Madison, Alabama, directing A Tale of Two Spectators by Peter Manos; Kelly Scott of Birmingham, Alabama, directing In the Tank by Rosemary Frisino Toohey; Taylor Schambach of New Orleans, Louisiana, directing Birdgirl on Walkabout by James Armstrong; and Brooke Burbank of Montgomery, Alabama, directing Dead by David Abolafia.

“This isn’t the theatrical experience we’ve typically done at UWA,” Scott said. “It’s four short plays with different storylines” added Schambach, “where the audience will see multiple people’s work and the time, effort, and care each of us put into these productions.”

“When people take the time to attend these performances, it shows us—and the actors, stage managers, and crew—that they support the arts,” said Williams. “This is something we all really care about,” added Burbank. “We’ve put our heart and soul into these plays.”

Rhonda Faulkner-Wooley, associate professor of theater, said she’s thrilled to let her students take full creative control for the first time, a departure from the department’s usual approach in which students in her directing class assist her with a single production each semester.

“This project gives students full creative control—from casting to production design,” Wooley said. As part of UWA’s Creative Arts Enterprise major in the College of Liberal Arts, students have opportunities like these directing roles for practice-based learning that combines artistic expression with portfolio-driven work. The major is designed for students interested in the visual arts, music, theater, creative writing, or animation and is customizable through a variety of engaging elective course and experiences like this.

She added that Double Takes marks the first time a student production will be staged in the newly constructed 45-seat Black Box Theater in Foust Hall.

“The UWA Auditorium, where we typically host productions is fantastic, but it’s better suited for larger shows,” Wooley explained. “The black box space creates a more intimate experience for the audience and the performers,” she added. It’s a simpler setting with minimal lighting that she said is part of the excitement and plays into the immersive experience for the audience. “There’s a saying in theater that the audience is always the last character cast, and it’s especially true here.”

Scott said the variety of plays offers something for everyone. “Whether you’ve been to a show at UWA before or not, these one-acts span the full range of storytelling—including drama, romance, and comedy,” he said.  “It’s going to be a lot of fun, a great night of theatre, and we hope everyone will come out and support us.”

Each play runs 20 to 25 minutes, with performances beginning at 6 p.m. in Foust Hall, Room 13. There is no charge for admission, and limited seating is available with no reservations. Due to mature themes, the showcase is recommended for audiences ages 15 and older.

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