Published on August 19, 2025  
Leadership Sam

Samford University has announced the new Leadership Samford cohort for the 2025-26 academic year. This will be the third group to go through the 11-month program designed to develop and implement organizational leadership competencies among its faculty and staff.

Members will explore unique features of Samford University and get a deeper understanding of its role as a leading institution in Christ-centered higher education. Participants will navigate complex interpersonal and political environments, develop as intentionally reflective leaders, recognize potential in colleagues and empower teams, and cultivate a community engaged in service to others. The program will also provide an opportunity for employees to engage in intentional social fellowship.

Selected through an application process, the cohort represents a variety of faculty and staff from across campus, ranging in time of service at Samford and departmental affiliation. The cohort includes:

Leslie Armstrong

Academic Advisor, Howard College of Arts and Sciences

Brett Bullard

Assistant Director, Experiential Education Operations, McWhorter School of Pharmacy

Christina Carrier

Executive Assistant to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs

Tom Crosby

Director of UK Programmes and Operations, Daniel House, London

Allison Jackson

Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, School of Health Professions

Patty Jumbo-Lucioni

Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical, Social and Administrative Sciences, McWhorter School of Pharmacy

Layne Keele

Professor of Law, Cumberland School of Law

Kate McCombs

Assistant Professor of Management, Brock Scholars Program Coordinator, Brock School of Business

Brooke Stewart

Director of Student Leadership, Student Affairs

Ashley Turner

Assistant Professor and Director, Clinical Education and Community Partnerships, Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing

Dana Waldrop

Director of Professional Success, Brock School of Business

Rusty Yerkes

Chair, Department of Economics, Finance and Quantitative Analysis, Thomas J. Adams Sr./AutoTec Professor of Risk Management and Insurance, Professor of Finance, Medical Properties Trust Fellow, Brock School of Business

In coordination with Samford’s strategic plan, Fidelitas, Leadership Samford will provide a rewarding experience for Samford employees while enhancing their sense of calling and vocation to their work.

Samford President Beck A. Taylor said, “This is an important piece in the university’s efforts to elevate our employees and it is our vision that this program will grow into a cornerstone of our unique community of learning and faith. Equipping employees with leadership skillsets through a program like Leadership Samford is a vital part of the development of not only self, but also the culture of a unique institution like ours. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves alongside this cohort as we help Samford discover and live into the best version of itself imaginable.”

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.