2024 Recipients | University of Montevallo

The 2024 Class of 15 Within 15: 

(listed in alphabetical order)

Carlos Barahona ’12, MBA ’13

Carlos has been a key player at Universal Logistics, a transportation business based in Hoover, since 2014. In his role as VP of Sales and Marketing, he negotiates pivotal contracts with Fortune 500 companies. The company has seen tremendous growth in its domestic operations and expanded into Carlos’s home country of Mexico. Fluent in English, Spanish, and German, he leverages his multilingual skills to foster collaboration with diverse teams toward shared objectives. In addition to his work at Universal, Carlos manages two investment groups in Alabama and Mississippi, focusing on real estate. His greatest accomplishment, however, is building a loving family with his wife Ashley, a pharmacist at UAB, and their two sons, Brooks and Luca.

Dr. Rachel Burt ’14

During Rachel’s time as a student, she and a classmate founded the UM Pre-Health Professionals’ Society. After earning her veterinary degree from Auburn University, Dr. Burt worked at Montevallo Animal Clinic for two years. And in 2020, she purchased her own clinic - Animal House Veterinary Clinic in Harpersville. She has embraced social media to engage with the public, offering a behind-the-scenes look at clinic life and sharing educational content.

Clent Davis ’09

Clent first started fishing tournaments at 10 years old, and by age 12, he decided that fishing was his dream career. He competed in numerous tournaments throughout high school. At UM, he was one of the founders of the Montevallo collegiate bass fishing team, which is now recognized as one of the best teams in the country. After college, he began competing as a co-angler on the FLW tour later switching to a professional angler. After winning Rookie of the Year in 2012, he went on to win the Forrest Wood Cup in 2018. He has competed in over 100 tournaments qualifying for the Bassmaster Classic and FLW Cup multiple times. Clent is most devoted though to his wife Ashley and daughter, Kayt. Congratulations and always “tight lines” which in angler speech means good luck!

Willie Davis III ’11

Willie has been an educator for 12 years, currently as an elementary teacher at Bessemer City Schools. After earning his bachelor’s at UM, he went on to earn a master’s and an Educational Specialist degree. He also received advanced training in the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) and Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS). Willie was instrumental in revamping the Alabama Teacher Mentoring Program and currently serves as a mentor teacher, empowering new and veteran educators. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including Teacher of the Year and National Board-Certified Teacher. Outside the classroom, he has led community service initiatives benefiting families in Bessemer, and the wider Southeast.

Joi Brown Dillard ’10

Joi has built a career dedicated to social justice and community advocacy. As a Conciliation Specialist with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Relations Service, she provides services for communities confronting conflicts and tensions related to civil rights and hate crimes. With over a decade of experience, Joi leads in problem solving on the front lines of bias prevention and civil rights advocacy. She has partnered with the Equal Justice Initiative and was awarded a half-million-dollar grant from the Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations Program to support civil rights cold case investigations. Her trailblazing efforts allow her to connect historic civil rights leaders with future generations.

Andrew Fancher ’14

Fancher, as we lovingly call him, is a dedicated and valued member of the University of Montevallo staff. As the Director of Operations for the Center for the Arts and Palmer Auditorium, he enjoys helping students enrich their college experience and tackling the creative challenges of managing a multi-use facility. His expertise has enhanced beloved university-wide events like College Night, Founders' Day, and Commencement. He even received a College Night Dedication for over 12 years of service to the tradition. In his spare time, Fancher helps his wife and alum, Emily with their business Elevated Entertainment. An avid gem and mineral collector inspired by nature, Andrew is a true gem to the UM community through his help across campus, but especially through events and programming at the Alan and Lindsey Song Center for the Arts.

Dr. Daniel Farris ’13, M.Ed. ’17, Ed. S. ’17

Daniel started off his time at Montevallo in an amazing way. At freshman orientation, he met the love of his life – his wife Betsy. He holds three degrees from UM, a bachelor’s in Elementary Education, along with a master’s and Educational Specialist degree, both in Instructional Leadership. After Montevallo, he also obtained his doctorate in Educational Leadership. Now, Daniel is in his fourth year as principal of Prattville High School. At just 30 years old, he was the youngest 7A principal in Alabama. He has received several accolades for his dedication to education including an Outstanding Alum Award in Elementary Education from UM’s College of Education and Human Development.

Lizbeth Juarez Hess ’13

As a student worker in the alumni office, Lizbeth learned first-hand about relationship building and engagement. Prior to her current role, she worked as a loan underwriter and staff accountant before finding her passion in fundraising. Lizbeth has overseen the University of Montevallo's Comprehensive Campaign and assisted the athletic department with fundraising initiatives. She is also responsible for prospect research and securing grant funds for the university. She is passionate about advocating for students and giving back to UM. Liz also makes an impact in the community. She has served on the Shelby Emergency Assistance Board. Like our last honoree, Liz met her husband DJ while in school at UM.

DeAndra Hodge ’19

During her time on the bricks, DeAndra’s creativity and skills flourished during with her work in the graphic design program and on The Alabamian. After graduating from UM, she moved to Washington D.C. and worked as a graphic designer for two years. She then became a full-time freelancer, illustrating over ten picture and chapter books. Notable books include: The Beyond the Game Series (featuring LeBron James and Maya Moore) and the That Girl LayLay Series published by Nickelodeon and Scholastic. DeAndra also does character design work for the Cafe Bustelo brand and for The Mental Game, a project she recently collaborated on with UM's Dr. Kaley Martin. Her creative talent and dedication to visual storytelling continue to inspire.

Dr. Caitlin Schaefer Jones ’15

After earning her bachelor’s from UM and master’s from UAB, Caitlin and her husband, fellow UM alum, TR Jones, moved to Arizona, where she earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University. They then returned to her hometown of Oxford, Alabama, where she became the sole owner of her private dental practice in 2020, named Jones Dentistry. She is passionate about providing top-tier comprehensive and cosmetic dental care, while also actively supporting her local community through her work with Oxford Elementary School and various events. She has been thrilled to serve the community that helped to raise her. She is currently in the process of building a new dental office to better serve her community and patients.

William Lowery ’20

William is an electro-chemist and our youngest recipient of the evening. Since graduating from UM, he has shared his research at multiple national and international conferences. This multifaceted scientist is wrapping up his PhD at Vanderbilt University. His research aims to leverage the light-harvesting abilities of plants to tackle the global issue of sustainable energy. His innovative dissertation focuses on (now, I am going to read it verbatim) biohybrid solar cells - using photosynthetic proteins found in spinach to produce energy - contributing to the diversification of sustainable energy solutions!” Whew! Outside of the lab, he seeks to improve scientific education in the greater Nashville community by developing and implementing numerous outreach seminars and activities. In his endeavors, especially in the classroom, he is eager to share his diverse background and experiences from his time at Montevallo.

Paris Nelson ’17

After her degree in communication studies from UM, Paris has become a social impact leader with a passion for centering lived experiences and empowering underrepresented communities. She works as the Strategic Development and Policy Manager at Fourth Plain Forward in Vancouver, Washington. In this role, she has secured more than $1 million in grants and advanced equity-focused initiatives in education, health, and community development. She also serves as a trustee for the Smith Scholarship Foundation. Paris has contributed numerous articles, journals, research projects, and books, driven by her passion for first-generation students. Rooted in social justice, Paris champions systemic change and elevates community voices, believing true equity is achieved when solutions are led by those they serve.

Dr. Nicholas Rivers ’17

While studying at UM, Nick served as a Montevallo Master, Maven, and President of AKL Fraternity, not to mention a University model on billboards. He also interned at Harvard Medical School with our esteemed alum Dr. Richard Cummings. After graduating Suma Cum Laude with a BS in Biochemisty and Minor in Music from UM (yes, I said music), he went on to attend the UAB School of Medicine where he graduated Cum Laude with an MD in 2021. He is currently in his 4th year of ENT residency for head and neck surgery at UAB. He will graduate and enter practice in 2026. Nick is married to his Montevallo sweetheart, Abby Rivers, and has a one-year-old son, Luke.

Kira Thomas ’12

Kira is a native of Montevallo with 20 years of experience in marketing. She currently serves as the Executive Director of University Marketing & Communications at UM, where she leads all institutional marketing and branding efforts. Committed to excellence for campus, she received the Outstanding Staff Service Award at this very event last year. Her dedication extends beyond her professional responsibilities, as she is involved in the community, serving as an enthusiastic representative of the University. Kira holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from UM and in May of this year, she earned a master’s degree in marketing from The University of Alabama. Of all her achievements, her greatest pride is her daughter, Hadley.

Dr. Perrin Windham ’15

After completing her undergraduate degree at UM, Perrin earned a medical degree at the University of South Alabama and then completed pediatrics residency at the University of Tennessee – Chattanooga. She returned home to practice medicine in her hometown of Daphne. She now serves as a board-certified pediatrician and adjunct professor for University of South Alabama Health. In her role, Perrin mentors' future healthcare professionals. She has demonstrated throughout her career the importance of improving health outcomes for children. Her impactful volunteer work also deserves commendation, and she is bridging language gaps with her “Spanish for Healthcare Professionals” certification. She and her husband are excited to celebrate tonight and looking forward to celebrating their daughter’s first birthday in December.