Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

In a small town in Brazil, Dr. Vania Assis grew up riding horses and tending pigs and chickens alongside her father, even helping butcher cattle when the need arose. Back then, she never imagined her love for the outdoors and animals would lead to a life in science.

Assis is now an assistant professor at the University of West Alabama, where she examines how amphibians respond to environmental challenges—integrating ecology, endocrinology, and immunology to better understand biodiversity conservation and disease resilience. She is also committed to bringing science to the community through public talks, field events, international collaborations, and hands-on experiences with local wildlife.

At UWA, that outreach is closely tied to the university’s Cahaba Biodiversity Center, where Assis conducts field research connecting conservation physiology with the Center’s mission to advance biodiversity research and education.

That commitment to education and opportunity is shaped by her own path. She and her brother are first-generation college students, fulfilling their mother’s dream of a better future through education.

“Mom wanted us to have more opportunities,” she said. “She never interfered in where or what we studied, she just encouraged us to earn a college degree.”

That encouragement led Assis to São Paulo State University (UNESP), one of Brazil’s largest and most respected public university systems, where she began her studies after her dream of becoming a medical doctor didn’t pan out. It was 2003, during the boom of the human genome, and like many others interested in biology at that time, Assis initially wanted to work in genetics.

When that wasn’t the right fit, she explored a wide range of research—from molecular biology working with trout, to studying depression models in mice within the pharmacology department. It wasn’t until she began working with amphibians, and understanding how hormones influence behavior and immune response, that she found her lifelong focus: protecting one of the most threatened groups of vertebrates.

Science also led her to learn English.

“I was doing research in endocrinology in college, and there was a book called, Behavioral Endocrinology, but the only copy was written in English,” Assis said with a laugh. “There was no Google Translate or ChatGPT back then—just me with printed pages and a dictionary. Although college was free at state universities, my brother and I didn’t live in our hometown, so our parents were paying for rent, food, and our expenses. Even though we were already in debt, I asked my mom for more money to start studying English. I knew I couldn’t move ahead in my field without it.”

After completing a one-year English course, Assis continued teaching herself by reading scientific papers. It wasn’t until her first six-month doctoral experience in the U.S. that her English improved dramatically. Even then, while she could talk about science, she lacked vocabulary for everyday conversations.

“Even now, in the classroom, I occasionally slip up and call water ’água,’” Assis said. “The other day, I was talking about a plant that changes color depending on the pH level of the soil, and I couldn’t think of the word in English. I knew in Portuguese we called it hortênsia—it was hydrangea,” she recalled.

While she hopes to inspire others with her love for amphibians through teaching, both in the classroom and at the CBC, Assis and her husband, Jefferson, have also been embracing their new life in Livingston since arriving last fall.

“In Brazil, I often spent two hours a day in traffic,” she said.  “Even when we lived in Tampa, I was constantly commuting on I-75, while my husband worked from home without access to a car.  Now, it takes just minutes to get to campus. We’re able to have lunch together every day and go to the gym. It’s the work-life balance we’d been missing all those years.”

For Assis, adapting to new places isn’t just a personal journey, it mirrors the way she believes science should be approached.

“If we only study what we know, we will only know what we study,” she said, a mindset she encourages her students to challenge.

Right now, she and her students are in what she calls ‘stage one’: learning what’s there.

“Take the CBC for example,” she said. “We don’t know yet which amphibians live there, so we’re working to document them through a survey. I visit the Center every other weekend, and I have two students working alongside me—Sophie Phillips a conservation and field biology major, and Pearl Davis, an integrated marketing communications major.”

Her goal is to create a comprehensive amphibian guide for the CBC, combining scientific research with visual storytelling. “Sophie and I are gathering the data, and Pearl will create the artwork,” Assis explained.

She envisions the guide as an interactive resource, either online or accessible through a QR code, where users could see images of each species and hear their calls. “Hearing the call is the best way to identify frogs, she said. “Salamanders don’t make noise, so for those, people will rely on visual identification.”

Perhaps in time, Assis’ love for amphibians will spill over to others at UWA. For now, she is embracing both the work and the life she has built in Livingston—one where science, family, and community are no longer competing, but finally in balance.

It’s a long way from the small town where she grew up, but in many ways, it’s starting to feel like home.

The post From Brazil to Livingston: Vania Assis’ journey in science finds a home at UWA appeared first on University of West Alabama.

Story: Betsy Compton | Photo: Cody Ingram

The University of West Alabama has announced the launch of two new initiatives designed to expand student opportunity and engagement while advancing the state’s growing focus on outdoor recreation, natural resource education, and workforce development: the Outdoor Fellows Program and the UWA Bass Fishing Team.

Rooted in the rich natural resources of Alabama’s Black Belt region, the programs reflect UWA’s commitment to connecting academic experience with the state’s outdoor economy and emerging career opportunities.

Alumnus William Crawford has been selected to serve as Director of the Outdoor Fellows Program and Head Coach of the Bass Fishing Team.

“I am proud to announce these new initiatives, which align with the themes and priorities outlined in our new 10-year strategic plan,” said UWA President Dr. Todd G. Fritch. “These programs leverage the unique strengths of our region to provide students with meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities while enhancing student engagement and academic exploration.”

Housed within Academic Affairs, the Outdoor Fellows Program will offer students hands-on opportunities to explore outdoor recreation and conservation through field experiences, service projects, and partnerships with industry professionals. The program is designed to connect classroom learning with career pathways while fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world and preparing students for careers in Alabama’s growing outdoor recreation and tourism sectors.

“William has impressive knowledge of the outdoor industry, as well as a clear understanding of how this program can serve as a bridge between student interest and academic direction,” said Interim Provost Dr. Amy Jones. “His experience in recruiting and retaining students positions him to support their success and guide the growth of the Outdoor Fellows Program.”

The UWA Bass Fishing Team will compete nationally on the Bassmaster College Series, Major League Fishing, and Collegiate Bass circuits. The Bass Fishing Team will maintain a highly competitive, recruitment-driven roster.

Crawford brings a record of national success, having led teams to the 2025 Collegiate Bass National Championship, the 2023 and 2025 Major League Fishing National Championships, and four MLF School of the Year honors. His teams have also earned Bass Pro Shops School of the Year recognition for five consecutive years from 2021 through 2025.

“These two programs are an incredible fit for UWA, and I am eager to hit the ground running,” Crawford said. “I’m excited to build programs that attract talented, high-performing students and create opportunities for those interested in outdoor recreation as a career. This region offers a unique environment for learning, and I look forward to helping students take full advantage of it.”

Crawford’s work has been recognized statewide, including being named the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s 2017 Conservation Educator of the Year. A 2006 UWA graduate, he was a two-year letter winner in baseball, an All-Gulf South Conference selection, and part of the 2005 Gulf South Conference Championship team. He holds an associate degree from Faulkner State Community College and both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from UWA.

The post University of West Alabama launches Outdoor Fellows Program, Bass Fishing Team; Selects William Crawford to lead both initiatives appeared first on University of West Alabama.

Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

The University of West Alabama has selected Dr. Audrey Crawford to serve as vice president for enrollment management and student success, a role that oversees admissions, recruitment, career development, financial aid, international programs, Student Services One Stop, CARES, TRIO SSS and Upward Bound.

“Dr. Crawford’s proven success in recruitment and admissions leadership, combined with passion for serving and supporting students, equips her to be a dynamic leader that will help propel UWA forward in alignment with our goals for growth and strengthening the student experience as part of our new 10-year strategic plan. We are excited to welcome her back to her alma mater,” said UWA President Todd G. Fritch.

A two-time UWA graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2007 and a master’s degree in counseling and psychology in 2011, Dr. Crawford said returning to UWA feels like a full-circle moment. She previously served as an admissions counselor at the University from 2008 to 2011 and worked in student activities for a year prior.

“I’m excited to work alongside this incredible community to expand opportunities, champion student success, and build on the strong foundation already in place,” Crawford said. “I’m deeply thankful for this opportunity.”

Crawford brings 18 years of progressive experience in enrollment management and student services. Most recently, she has served as executive director of admissions at the University of Montevallo since 2022, where she oversaw recruitment initiatives and admission operations, managing more than 6,000 applications annually. Under her leadership, first-year student enrollment increased by 13 percent, contributing to the institution’s largest freshman class in more than a decade.

She also led the implementation and optimization of the Slate CRM and collaborated closely with academic departments, financial aid, marketing, and student services to support institutional enrollment goals.

Prior to serving as executive director of admissions, Crawford held several leadership roles at the University of Montevallo from 2011 to 2022, including associate director of admissions, director of recruitment, and director of admissions.

She earned a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2024.

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