Allie Lopez graduated from the University of North Alabama (UNA) in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both history and English. She also earned a minor in Spanish. Now, she’s looking back on what brought her to the university.
She was first introduced to UNA by her high school English teacher, a UNA alum, who encouraged Allie to apply. The university’s smaller classes, and the benefits that come with that, captured her attention from the start. “I wasn’t just a number at UNA. I knew my professors personally, attended their office hours, and received direct guidance,” Allie says.
Her passion for history stems from what it can teach us, namely empathy and complex thinking. Allie was equipped with these essential skills, and more, during her studies at UNA. Best of all, these skills have proven to be vital in her research process. She explains, “UNA’s history facility taught me how to critically analyze sources, which has shaped my dissertation work today.”
The UNA Department of History offers a variety of courses designed to give students a deeper understanding of an array of thematic, geographical, and chronological contexts. Classrooms are filled with award-winning faculty and staff who create an atmosphere where curiosity, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas are encouraged. Students are also equipped with practical and broadly applicable skills to prepare them for their future endeavors, whether that be in the classroom, archives, or in the field.
The university’s study abroad opportunities also caught Allie’s attention, and it led her to visit Salamanca, Spain—along with others involved in The UNA Spanish Department. This time spent studying in Spain turned out to be an invaluable experience during her academic journey. “Studying abroad in Spain was a highlight, giving me cultural exposure and language skills.”
UNA’s Education Abroad program offers students the opportunity to work on their studies internationally. The program follows UNA’s mission to be innovative, inclusive, engaged, evolving, and global. The university has a multitude of scholarships available to support their students’ international experiences.
After graduation, Allie decided to continue her academic journey. In the fall of 2025, she obtained her PhD in History at Baylor University. Now, she teaches about (and does research on) rural Alabama during the civil rights era and Black freedom struggles in the rural South. Allie says that teaching is what keeps her love for history alive.
“I’m passionate about teaching history and seeing students light up when they learn new perspectives on the American past,” she shares.
The impact of Allie’s educational experience at UNA can be seen every single day. For example, the skills she developed here help her think critically about content such as news articles and advertisements. That’s just one of the many reasons why she is so grateful for her experience as a UNA student. “UNA created a sense of community that shaped me not just as a scholar,” Allie shares, “but as a person.”