Tag: Shoals
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Sydney Castillo
Sydney Castillo was introduced to the University of North Alabama (UNA) by a beloved high school chemistry teacher. As curious as Sydney was about her teacher’s alma mater, her parents were initially hesitant to schedule a tour. As soon as they learned that living in Columbia, Tennessee made them eligible for in-state tuition, however, they… Read more
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Zacchaeus Hampton
When Zacchaeus Hampton considered attending the University of North Alabama (UNA)—something that would take him from his hometown of Madison to Florence—he recognized it was an important decision that would greatly impact his life. The campus’ friendly and supportive community drew him in from the start. And, ultimately, this is what confirmed his choice to… Read more
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Jackson Scott
When Jackson Scott thinks of the University of North Alabama (UNA), the word “opportunity” comes to mind. “There’s always something just around the corner if you’re willing to take that first step,” he says. Attending the University of North Alabama was an easy and familiar choice. Growing up in Anderson, Alabama, Jackson could not resist… Read more
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Jasmine Parks
For Jasmine Parks, a junior social work major from nearby Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the University of North Alabama was always close to home—but it wasn’t until she saw the university’s band perform that it truly came into focus as her future. “Being in band at my high school, I was captivated by their performance and… Read more
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Connell Cornelius
For Connell Cornelius, attending the University of North Alabama wasn’t just a choice — it was a legacy. As a third-generation UNA student, Connell came to campus with strong roots and high expectations. What ultimately drew him to UNA, though, was the university’s exceptional music program. “The music program here is phenomenal — that’s what… Read more
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The Byrd Family’s UNA Journey
Jamie and Tasha Byrd, both UNA alumni, were thrilled when their twin daughters decided to attend their alma mater. Jamie graduated in 1999 with a degree in Business Management, while Tasha earned a master’s in Education. For them, UNA was not only an academic institution but also a cornerstone of their personal and professional development.… Read more
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Talon Pritchard
Talon Pritchard’s journey to UNA started with his passion for athletics. Growing up in Helena, Alabama, he played a variety of sports, but it was cross-country running that ultimately brought him to the University of North Alabama. Recruited by several schools during his junior and senior years of high school, Talon visited UNA and quickly… Read more
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Cade McGuire
Cade’s story began like many others—he entered UNA expecting to play football, focus on engineering, and eventually transfer. But life had other plans. After an old knee injury forced Cade to give up football, he found himself lost without the game he loved. Feeling the void left by football, Cade began to explore other avenues… Read more
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Sam Mashburn
Growing up in the Shoals, Sam was always aware of UNA’s presence, but it wasn’t until he enrolled that he genuinely understood the university’s impact on the local community. Coming from a family where his father was the first to graduate college, Sam knew the value of education and community involvement. At first, he thought… Read more
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Trey Nichols
For Trey, UNA wasn’t a backup plan—it was a way to deepen his understanding of the music business and build on his years of gigging experience. Read more
