Warhawk Weekly 7-14: River Region’s top university; Law degree pathway
AUM named top university in River Region for ninth consecutive year
For the ninth consecutive year, Auburn University at Montgomery has been recognized by readers of the Montgomery Advertiser as the best university in the River Region.
The Advertiser’s 2026 “Best of the River Region” Community Choice Awards celebrated the area’s most outstanding nonprofits, businesses and institutions, with winners chosen by the local community. The annual awards recognize organizations that contribute to the vibrancy and growth of the Montgomery area.
AUM was among 133 winners recognized at the Best of the River Region Awards Gala.
AUM, Faulkner launch accelerated law degree pathway
AUM students interested in legal careers will soon have a new opportunity to earn both a bachelor’s degree and juris doctor in just six years through an accelerated partnership with Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law.
On July 6, AUM Chancellor Carl A. Stockton and Faulkner University President Mitch Henry signed an agreement establishing the new pathway between the two Montgomery institutions.
Through the “3+3” program, eligible students will complete three years of undergraduate coursework at AUM before enrolling at Faulkner Law. Their first year of law school will fulfill the remaining requirements for their bachelor’s degree, followed by two additional years to complete the juris doctor.
The partnership offers students a more efficient and affordable route to a legal career while helping prepare future attorneys to serve communities across Alabama and beyond.
AUMTeach students earn recognition at national STEM education conference
AUMTeach senior JaNiya Bevelle and sophomores Hannah Jones and Sara Kazi recently presented STEM education research at the 2026 UTeach STEM Educators Conference, where Kazi earned first place for her research poster.
Kazi, an Honors student majoring in chemistry with a minor in STEM Education, earned first place for Best Program Exposition Poster for her research, “Digital Divide and Academic Integrity: AI and Inequality in Southern Education.” Her research examined inequities within artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and policy in Southern school systems and how this gap in knowledge is widening existing educational disparities between Alabama students and their northern counterparts. The project also explored some of the issues that arise when education systems fail to respond in an expedited and adequate manner to rapidly evolving technology.
Bevelle, a biology major, presented the poster “Human Anatomy in Action: A Systems-Based Inquiry Project.” Her project focused on lessons she planned and implemented during her student teaching field experience, exploring topics related to anatomical structures and body systems.
Jones, also a biology major, presented “Practicing With Peers: Mentoring Students while in UTeach,” which examined peer mentoring through AUM’s Experiential and Engagement Center and the Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences’ Flight School program. Her research highlighted positive outcomes for both student mentors and mentees.
The three-day conference, held in Austin, Texas, featured the theme “Power and Purpose: Defining the Future of STEM Education.”
AUMTeach is a STEM education minor that allows students majoring in biology, chemistry, mathematics and computer science to earn teaching certification at the junior high and high school levels in their subject areas. AUMTeach funded the travel expenses for students to present their research at the national conference.
For more information about AUMTeach, contact Molly Belew Trammell at [email protected]. The introductory course for the program, FNDS 1010: Step One, is open for registration for fall 2026.
AUM Library transitioning to new cloud-based system
The AUM Library is upgrading to a new library management system that will change how students, faculty and staff search for books and other library materials.
Beginning Aug. 7, the Library will transition to OCLC’s cloud-based WorldShare Management Services (WMS), which will improve how library materials are managed, cataloged and checked out while making it easier to search for library resources. As part of the transition, the current online catalog will be replaced with a new search interface. Users will still be able to find all of the library’s books and other resources, but the layout, search results and navigation will look different.
The Library will share additional information, including how to use the new search system, before it officially launches.
AUM alumnus spotlighted in CentrAL INC! magazine
AUM alumnus Brig. Gen. Terrence Adams (’94) was recently featured in an alumni profile Q&A in the July issue of CentrAL INC! magazine.
After serving on active duty in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Adams attended AUM, where he earned a degree in computer science and information systems while serving in leadership roles. As a student, he served as Student Government Association president and president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Adams recently retired after 39 years of distinguished military service, including roles as Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor to the Secretary of Defense and Senior Military Advisor for Cyber Policy. During his retirement ceremony, AUM’s Office of Advancement honored him with a university proclamation and a WWII P-40E Warhawk Historical Plaque.
A longtime supporter of his alma mater, Adams serves on three AUM advisory boards and is helping establish a scholarship endowment with his fraternity to support future Warhawks. In the Central, Inc. feature, he reflects on the leadership lessons he gained at AUM, emphasizing that leadership “is not about authority, but about serving others, building strong teams and creating opportunities for people to succeed.”
Get ahead for the Fall by attending orientation
Ahead of the start of classes in August, incoming students and their families can visit campus to learn about the AUM community. New Student Orientation helps students register for classes, connect with campus resources, meet fellow Warhawks and prepare for a successful start to the semester.
Building these connections and gaining the tools needed to thrive at AUM helps students feel confident and prepared from day one.
The next orientation session will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, July 17 on campus with additional sessions set for July 25 and 31; and Aug. 7 and 14.
Unpack more details about orientation and register for your preferred orientation session: https://www.aum.edu/admissions/undergraduate-student-orientation/
