Dr. Arleene Breaux, Clinical Associate Professor of Higher Education Administration in the Department of Educational Leadership, Policy, and Technology Studies, is the 2021 recipient of the E. Roger Sayers Distinguished Service Award at The University of Alabama.
The E. Roger Sayers Distinguished Service Award was created in 1996 by members of the President’s Cabinet and the National Alumni Association to recognize faculty and exempt administrative personnel who have performed in an exemplary manner to further the mission of the university. The award is named honoring Dr. E. Roger Sayers, President of The University of Alabama from 1988-1996.
Since 2012 Dr. Breaux has served as program coordinator for the Executive Ed.D. Program in Higher Education Administration. Prior to joining the faculty at UA, she was Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Executive Assistant to the Chancellor (Legislative Liaison to University of Arkansas System) at University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. She earned her B.S. in Finance and MBA from Nicholls State University, and Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.
Peter Hlebowitsh, the Dean of the College of Education at The University of Alabama observed that “Professor Breaux has led the Alabama Executive Doctorate program for the last nine years. Under her leadership, the program has proven to be a jewel in the crown of the College of Education, producing graduates who have gone on to secure distinguished executive careers. The program has generated graduates who have taken appointments across the country as university and college presidents, vice presidents and even as system chancellors. Dr. Breaux has been the driving force behind the recruitment of these notable graduates and behind the development of the curriculum that has enriched their education.”
Dr. Breaux was publicly recognized on April 15, 2021 during the recorded/virtual Spring Campus Assembly. View the Spring 2021 Campus Assembly
Quotes from Dr. Breaux’s nomination letters
“Dr. Breaux is clearly an outstanding professional, but most importantly, I believe she is an outstanding leader in the field of higher education at The University of Alabama….When I needed both a mentor and a friend, she was there and went above and beyond her daily roles and responsibilities to give sage career advice, calm me down, and encourage me when I didn’t think I could continue further with my doctoral level studies…”
Dr. Megan Welborn
Assistant Director, Bama by Distance Recruitment
“In the nine years I have known Dr. Breaux, she has been a selfless educator, mentor, and trusted colleague. She epitomizes a higher education administration practitioner and what we all aspire to in our profession.”
Dr. Edward Serna
President, University of Maine at Farmington
“It is safe to say that most faculty contribute to further the mission of The University of Alabama in the ways you would expect, through teaching, research, and service. However, fewer faculty take their commitment beyond those expectations. Among other things, Dr. Breaux uses passion, compassion, and encouragement to foster an open and dynamic learning environment and experience for her students…..Dr. Breaux’s passion for higher education engages her students by taking their minds out of the textbooks and into navigating real, complex scenarios of university administration.”
Jessica Harrison, MA, PHR | HR Manager
University of Alabama System
“I can offer no greater testament to Arleene’s contributions to furthering the mission of our institution than her commitment to developing campus leaders who understand the challenges, opportunities, and joys of serving public higher education in Alabama and beyond. Only one needs to count the number of her current and future students in leadership positions across UA to see her influence on our institution.”
Dr. D. Jay Cervino
Executive Director of Systems, Networks, & Research Computing Services
My most rewarding engagement with Dr. Breaux has been during my time as a student in the Executive Ed.D. program. Her guidance and knowledge of higher education have been invaluable in my educational pursuit. I have learned much from her vast knowledge of higher education theory and practice and her experience at various institutions. I am thankful for her mentorship in the program…She is dedicated to students and the program, and it shows through all of the long days and late nights she spends working on the program and addressing students’ needs and concerns.”
Carpantato (Tanta) Myles
Director & Research Compliance Officer, UA
“In her teaching, research, and service, Dr. Breaux exemplifies the commitment to The University of Alabama that is the hallmark of President Sayers’ career. Dr. Breaux is committed to inclusion. This is demonstrated in her work as Coordinator of the Executive Ed.D. program. Dr. Breaux is an outstanding teacher. She receives consistently outstanding course evaluations and provides invaluable out-of-class mentoring to students. Dr. Breaux is an accomplished researcher. She has been involved with a number of key Education Policy Center projects. For all of these and innumerable other teaching, research, and service contributions, Dr. Breaux is a noteworthy recipient of the E. Roger Sayers Distinguished Service Award.”
Stephen G. Katsinas
Director, Education Policy Center and Professor of Higher Education Administration, UA
About the Executive Ed.D. Program
The Executive EdD program is designed to meet the unique needs of experienced professionals seeking a doctorate in higher education. The program helps students develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to advance in leadership positions by combining theoretically-rich studies with an applied research approach. The Executive EdD program is based on a cohort model that allows students to build an immediate network of colleagues. Intensive coursework and a carefully-structured dissertation process allow students to complete the degree in nine semesters and maintain their busy professions. Executive EdD students engage in six core areas of knowledge essential to higher education: 1) theoretical foundations of higher education; 2) research in higher education; 3) administrative issues; 4) student issues; 5) teaching and curricular issues; and 6) problem solving in professional practice.