When Carlie Steele left high school with a cheerleading scholarship in hand, she assumed her college path was already set. But by the end of her first semester, she felt a pull she couldn’t ignore that eventually led her to the Delores and Weldon Cole Honors College at the University of North Alabama.
A Journey Shaped by Service and Opportunity
Coming from a military family, Carlie learned early how to adapt, lead, and chase opportunities wherever they appeared. Her father served 23 years in the U.S. Navy, and Carlie spent her childhood in cities from Pensacola and Jacksonville to rural Collinwood, Tennessee.
Those experiences shaped her into a student who thrives on involvement. Before landing at UNA, she worked for the Universal Cheer Association, teaching skills to young athletes across Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. She interned with Congressman Mark Green and was offered a chance to join a mayoral campaign in Nashville. With so many doors open, Carlie surprised even herself when she chose to transfer.
But when she visited UNA, she knew it was where she belonged.
Finding Her Community at UNA
Transferring can be intimidating, but Carlie said it felt natural from the moment she arrived on campus.
“I appreciate everything I learned my first year,” she explained regarding her first school, but added that “everything lined up perfectly for me to transfer to UNA and find my new home.”
And she didn’t waste a moment jumping in. Carlie was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, Women in Business, and performed as a Lionette. She loves the welcoming culture of both UNA and the City of Florence.
“It’s very welcoming, even if you’re not from here,” she said. “It’s a good place to make your home and find your people.”
Excelling in the Honors College and Beyond
Now graduated with a Professional Management major from the Sanders College of Business and Technology, Carlie soon entered the UNA MBA program. She credits the Cole Honors College with giving her the foundation she needed to succeed.
“I cannot rave about it more,” she said, emphasizing the connections, opportunities, and support she has received from faculty mentors.
Scholarships, both from the Honors College and the Hagan Scholarship Foundation, have made her goal of graduating debt-free an achievable reality. For Dean Vince Brewton, Carlie’s accomplishments are no surprise.
“The Cole Honors College works hard to find students of Carlie’s caliber,” he said. “She found us! Are we ever glad she did. From the moment she set foot on our campus, she began making her mark in impressive ways.”
Advice for Future Transfers
Looking back, Carlie is grateful for the path that led her to UNA, even if it took a detour to get here.
“There is a sense of belonging here,” she said. “I wish I would have come here in the first place. Life took me in a different direction that first year, but I am back where I belong.”
For students considering a transfer, she offers simple encouragement:
“As scary as the transfer process can be, transferring was the best decision I have ever made.”
