Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

Growing up in New Delhi, India, Anmol Arora never imagined that a year-long graphic design course in high school would one day lead him to the United States—and eventually a career in instructional design.

Arora arrived at the University of West Alabama in August 2024 to study through a 1+1 program he discovered while pursuing a master’s in animation at Chandigarh University in Punjab, India. He chose the U.S. because he had an aunt in Virginia. “If I was going to study abroad, I wanted it to be somewhere I had family,” he said.

Though the transition to UWA went smoothly, his first grocery trip proved more challenging. “I kept comparing everything to my home currency. A gallon of milk was four dollars, but back home it cost about 400 rupees.”

Unable to work off campus during his first academic year, Arora took a job as a driver for Student Nighttime Auxiliary Patrol (SNAP) with University Police and immersed himself in the culture and events at UWA’s International House, where he often cooked Indian dishes and helped host events. “Having friends—both international and American—really helped me adjust,” he said.

Eager to support himself once he became eligible for off-campus work, Arora began to fine-tune his resume. He turned to ChatGPT, which generated a short list of companies with potential openings related to his education and experience. One such company was ABB, a global corporation with offices in Memphis. Soon he was on his way to an interview and later secured an internship designing eLearning modules.

“I think it was my broad experience that interested them,” he said.

That experience began during his undergraduate studies in computer applications at Vidyapeeth, Delhi, India, where he redesigned banners for a local shop, started posting his designs on Instagram, and launched a social media marketing start-up called Blue Hounds with three friends. He later designed content for the nonprofit Let’s Do It India and worked in motion design for a children’s book publisher—experience that eventually led him to instructional design.

Moving across the world did not rattle Arora, but it was difficult for his mother. “She worries all the time,” he said. “My father wants me to do everything I can to be successful.” This past Thanksgiving, he flew home for the first time since coming to the U.S., surprising his family. “My mom cried and cried,” he said. “My parents helped support me my first two semesters here, but after my internship I’ve been able to support myself and even pay for my own airline ticket. I even bought a car a few weeks ago. It felt good to be able to do that.”

Still, his visit home created unexpected emotions. “When I was here, I missed India,” he said. “But when I was finally there, I realized it was the people I missed—the feeling of being with them—not the place itself.”

When he returned to campus, he continued working at ABB part time, he resumed his job with University Police, and he earned a graduate assistantship with UWA International Programs, where he kept coordinating events for the International House, including celebrating Holi, the Festival of Colors. The vibrant Hindu festival celebrates spring love, and victory by throwing colored powders and water. “We made a mess, but everyone loved it and are eager to celebrate it again next March.”

Following his graduation during Fall 2025 commencement exercises, he will relocate to Virginia to live with his aunt and begin full-time employment with ABB through Optional Practical Training (OPT), a temporary employment work authorization that permits international students to work in their field of study for up to one year.

His role at ABB blends everything he has learned. “I work with subject matter experts on complex systems and break the information down into eLearning modules,” he explained. “I use my design skills, my understanding of how people learn through my classes here at UWA, and even coding when something needs fixing that I learned as an undergrad in India. It’s the perfect fit for me.”

For now, Arora is ready to step fully into corporate life. “I like the 8-to-5 hours,” he said. “Back home it’s more like 8-to-8 or 10-to-9—you get home when you get home just to do it all over again.” He added, “U.S. work culture “offers a better work-life balance.”

Looking ahead, Arora hopes to pursue a Ph.D., possibly at North Carolina State University, and eventually build a career in instructional design. “And if I get a really good opportunity, I’d like to stay in the U.S.,” he says. “I’d love for my brother to come here too, preferably to UWA. That would be great.”

The post Crossing Borders, Designing Futures appeared first on University of West Alabama.

Story: Lisa Sollie

When Lashontrei Henton’s son, Caleb, was diagnosed with autism, she began keeping a notebook close by to capture her thoughts, questions, and observations. That notebook soon became an invaluable tool for identifying Caleb’s needs, eventually inspiring her to create My Variety Child: A Caleb Book Series — a three-in-one book about an autistic boy named Nicholas Caleb, which Henton published in December 2022.

Although Henton had always considered writing about her son’s journey with autism, it wasn’t until she enrolled in the University of West Alabama’s online Master of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) program that she gained the courage and confidence to pursue her dream of becoming an author. She credits the IMC program for providing her with a solid understanding of branding and marketing, which laid the foundation for shaping a clear identity for the series and creating campaigns that connected with audiences across various platforms. “Every course was exactly what I needed at the time,” she says. “I could apply what I learned in class immediately in the real world. The IMC program is so hands-on that you don’t have to wait until graduation to use your new skills.”

Henton’s path to success wasn’t without obstacles. She faced severe health challenges, including losing her eyesight and undergoing a cornea transplant. She struggled with new technologies and apps and even failed one of her first-semester courses. But Henton’s determination remained unshaken. After retaking the course the following semester, she placed second in The BookFest®, a virtual literary event that debuted in 2020. As a result, her book was featured in a promotional video in Times Square in New York City. “All I could do was be amazed at what God can do,” she reflects.

Writing runs in Henton’s family. Her grandmother and aunt are both self-published authors; now, her 90-year-old grandfather has followed suit. For Henton, writing My Variety Child allows her to process the challenges she faces with her son and has a powerful impact on those around her. “Kids are going to be kids,” she says. “But now, because I have books about Caleb, other children are starting to say, ‘Oh, that’s Caleb— he has his own books.’” This recognition, she explains, has helped others be more supportive and less likely to tease him. “They’re more accepting now. Everyone knows his name. Caleb may not fully understand— other than the fact he has a book with his face on it — but I’m seeing that the more we can help others understand, the better off everyone will be.”

Henton believes the future of The Caleb Book Series is brighter than ever. Following the release of Troublemakers, the second book in the series published in 2023, a new title, Tantrums, is set to be released in 2025. This story explores how nonverbal autistic children express themselves to raise awareness and foster acceptance of autism. Along with her upcoming book, Henton has also launched the “I Matter” movement, reinforcing the series’ core message—that every child matters—by providing children with self-love exercises and creative arts and crafts activities.

Henton says that because there will never be a “perfect time” to do something, she encourages others “to discipline yourself and take the first step.” She says she believes that passion and dedication will attract others, and the challenges each person encounters will become their greatest testimony. “Take life as it comes— the good, the bad, and the ugly—and make something meaningful out of it.”

Copies of My Variety Child: A Caleb Book Series are available on Amazon . Also, check out Troublemakers: A Caleb Book Series

The post UWA alumna uses degree skills to promote children’s book series on autism appeared first on University of West Alabama.

Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

Longtime UWA business professor Dr. Uchenna Akpom was recently named director of the University’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Rural Business program. The first of its kind degree program was introduced two years ago at UWA and features relevant courses that focus on critical issues as well as strategies and solutions related to rural businesses and designed to offer innovative solutions to global rural business challenges.

According to Dr. Willy Hill, dean of the College of Business (COB), fourteen students are enrolled in the online program.

“UWA’s College of Business is fortunate to have Dr. Akpom as its new DBA Director. His academic and research credentials are outstanding, and his passion for teaching instruction is unmatched. Without question, the DBA program is in great hands under his leadership,” Hill noted.

Akpom joined at the university faculty in 1992 as an assistant professor and left six years later. He returned to UWA in 2013 and was part of the committee led by Dr. Veronica Triplett, assistant professor of business administration, management and marketing, who developed the new DBA program.

According to Hill, the program has experienced significant progress since its inception due to Dr. Triplett’s leadership and countless hours spent on development and implementation. “What a foundation she and the committee have put in place,” he added, “we are indebted to her.”

Before taking over the helm of the program, Akpom spent the last year leading an exploratory committee targeted at publishing a Journal of Rural Business, something he believes would be a repository of research.

“When I started the whole journal process, I didn’t have the doctoral program in mind, but as time passed, the DBA and the journal sort of merged. Rural business is not well-researched, and the few journals that deal with this topic are mostly foreign, not domestic. We want a journal that will bring researchers together worldwide, deal with the deeper problems businesses have in rural areas, and provide practitioners with research information and best practices they can replicate.”

Akpom, who has been interested in the DBA program since its inception, believes it will “enhance the COB and the University, and, since we have students not only from Alabama but other states in the Southeast and beyond,” he noted, “I believe we can do something to improve their regions as well.”

As the director, he also sees his role as an opportunity to impact professional knowledge in rural development.

“Growing up in Nigeria, I didn’t always have a choice where I lived. But when I did, I mainly lived in rural areas, where my interest in rural business developed. In the almost 20 years I’ve lived in Alabama, I have seen things that can be improved and exported, and I want to contribute to the local community where I live,” he added.

Akpom has high aspirations for the DBA program and desires it to be recognized as an elite program in rural business research.

“By research, I mean our graduates’ research,” he noted, “research that I hope will be cited frequently and worldwide. We (UWA) were the first to offer this program; we want others to know why. And maybe someday, when rural business is discussed, UWA will be the first institution to come to mind.”

The Doctor of Business Administration in Rural Business degree program at UWA has two tracks: rural entrepreneurship and innovation and rural and transformational leadership. Learn more at:

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