UM Faculty Moves, Staff Hires

The University of Mobile (UM) has named Dr. Debra Chancey associate vice president for institutional effectiveness in its office for academic affairs. Chancey previously served as dean of the School of Education. Dr. Joyce Woodburn, associate professor of education, has been named dean of the School of Education. Dr. Todd Hicks, professor of nurse anesthesiology, has been named to the new position of executive dean of the College of Health Professions, which encompasses UM’s School of Nurse Anesthesia, School of Nursing, and School of Health and Sports Science. Hicks will continue to serve as director of the School of Nurse Anesthesia. Dr. Jessica Garner, assistant professor of nursing, has been named graduate dean for the School of Nursing. Dr. Doug Wilson, professor of Biblical Studies, has been named to the new position of executive director of the Center for Christian Calling in the School of Christian Studies (previously the Center for Christian Calling). The center coordinates experiential learning and church outreach, including internships and mission trips, and is moving to the College of Arts and Sciences.

UM also announced Haley Haney as its new director of alumni programs, where she will focus on alumni relations and events, while coordinating the university’s ambassadors program for student leaders. Haney is a UM graduate who earned an MS in leadership and communication in 2022 and a BA in communication with a concentration in public relations and advertising in 2016. She most recently served as marketing manager at Joe Bullard Automotive. As a student, she traveled with RamCorps as its social media assistant. Additionally, Deven Vasko has been named UM’s new student support services coordinator. Vasko is a native of Saraland and 2003 graduate of the University of South Alabama. She has been very active with homeschooling, including homeschool cooperative Compass Point Christian Academy, for more than 21 years.