Dr. Justin Carter has spent the last twenty years educating students and business leaders around the world. As an assistant professor at the University of North Alabama, consultant, and executive coach, he is one of the foremost leaders in the field of business strategy. His research and findings on the importance of positivity in the workplace have been published in numerous empirical journals and featured in Inc., Forbes, and Psychology Today.
Andrea N. Hunt is an Associate Professor of Sociology, Director of the Mitchell-West Center for Social Inclusion, and Special Assistant to the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of North Alabama. Her teaching, research, and community work cover a range of interrelated topics including trauma, identity, career development, mentoring, organizational change, and inclusive practices. Dr. Hunt has facilitated numerous workshops on creating more inclusive environments in education, nonprofits, and organizations. Dr. Hunt is a court appointed special advocate, and on the Board of Directors for OnePlace of the Shoals and Riverbend Center for Mental Health. She was recently awarded the George Merida Huckaba Endowed Professorship for 2020-2021 and the W.T. McElheny Award from UNA’s Student Government Association for her advocacy. She is the recipient of UNA’s College of Arts and Sciences Early Career Service Award, UNA’s College of Arts and Sciences Early Career Teaching Award, UNA’s Academic Affairs Outstanding Service Award, UNA’s Housing and Residence Life award for Faculty Collaborator of the Year, UNA’s College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Faculty Award, and UNA’s President’s Diversity Award. She has served as the awards Chair for SWS-S and the Chair of the Lyman Book Award Committee for the Mid-South Sociological Association. She is currently the Chair for the Committee on the Profession for the Mid-South Sociological Association and Chair for the Committee on Sociological Practice for the Southern Sociological Society.
Mary-Marshall VanSant is the Director of Continuing Education and Outreach at the University of North Alabama. Mary-Marshall is a member of the Shoals Future Tech Pathfinder team and has completed her Strategic Doing Training Certification. Her background includes Vice President of Investor Relations and Public Policy at the Shoals Chamber of Commerce and a career in corporate and pharmaceutical sales. VanSant earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication from the University of North Alabama.
