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UAB Briefs: Pledging to help, TRIO grants, program's first graduate

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Photo courtesy UAB Media Relations.

In this weekly online feature, we keep track of interesting people and events on campus at The University of Alabama at Birmingham.

We also provide updates regarding UAB’s efforts to cope with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

For example, Gov. Ivey’s “Safer at Home” state order remains in effect and restricts visitors in state hospitals. UAB Hospital and UAB Medicine clinics have implemented and must enforce these visitation guidelines.

For information regarding how to plan your in-person UAB Medicine hospital or clinic visit, click here.

To read other UAB COVID-19 updates or find health information, go to uab.edu/coronavirus.

Let us know about people, events and programs on campus that deserve a mention in UAB Briefs. Email jchambers@starnespublishing.com.

TAKING THE PLEDGE

As students begin the fall semester at UAB, some local businesses are pledging to encourage proper masking, social distancing, density control and other proven COVID-19 safety strategies off campus. The goal is to help keep students and other patrons safe from infection.

UAB is asking businesses to the UAB United Business Pledge.

Here is the text of the pledge:

"[Insert business name] respects and supports the University of Alabama at Birmingham student community and what they are working to accomplish at UAB. As a local business that welcomes and is proud to support UAB students, we pledge that — in the interest of their health and safety — we will require masks, social distancing, crowd control and other proven safety strategies. As a partner with UAB in our shared community, we are proud to be #UABUnited."

Businesses that wish to pledge to support the health and safety of UAB students and employees can email affirmation of the statement to president@uab.edu. 

Businesses partnering with UAB will be listed at go.uab.edu/pledge.

Businesses can download a certificate to display in their business to show support. 

“We are asking local businesses to take a pledge and support our students to help UAB have the best possible chance to remain open,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts, who cited the positive local economic impact the university has. “If COVID-19 causes UAB to suspend in-person instruction and send students home, we all lose.”

“Our world-renowned faculty experts have worked around the clock over the last several months with our system colleagues to put in place one of the nation’s most comprehensive safety plans to minimize risk on campus,” said UAB Provost Pam Benoit. “Local businesses play a key role in extending that safety beyond our campus and keeping our students healthy.”

The following are among the businesses that have signed up:

For more information on UAB’s entry to campus, visit uab.edu/uabunited.  

TRIO SUPPORT CONTINUES

The U.S. Department of Education has announced that UAB will receive three federal TRIO Student Support Services grants of $5 million to help 460 students annually, according to UAB Media Relations.

Student Support Services is one of the eight federal TRIO programs authorized by the Higher Education Act to help college students succeed in higher education. 

SSS helps college students who have limited income and are first generation or students with disabilities. 

The grants provide an array of comprehensive services, including academic tutoring, financial aid advice, career and college mentoring and help in choosing courses. 

Such services enhance academic success and make it more likely that students will graduate with the lowest possible debt.  

“As a result of COVID-19, our SSS are even more vital to the vulnerable students we serve,” said Tracy Lyons, executive director of UAB Undergraduate Student Success and Retention.

In 2015, UAB was awarded an SSS grant for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and health care majors and an additional grant for education majors. 

The other three federally funded TRIO programs at UAB include two Classic Upward Bound grants and the McNair Scholars Program.

UAB has maintained SSS programs on campus since 1976.

THE FIRST GRADUATE

Tamara Traber, a Texas native, recently became the first graduate of the UAB Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy program, according to UAB Media Relations.

The program, delivered completely online, is the only first program of its type in Alabama.

The degree is designed to prepare experienced occupational therapists for important leadership roles in health care, academia and advocacy.  

Traber took part in UAB’s virtual commencement for master’s and doctoral graduates on August 14.

Her capstone project topic was “Comprehensive Resources for the Visually Impaired in the Greater Houston Area.” She will now become a faculty member at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas.

Traber says the flexibility of online classes and the accessibility of her professors were major factors in her choosing UAB’s program.

“I was able to work during the day and complete my assignments in the evening,” she said in a UAB news release.

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