August 25, 2026

For more information, contact:
Laura Brelsford | hcnews@hawks.huntingdon.edu | (334) 833-4563

Huntingdon Announces Reorganization of Office of Academic Affairs

Montgomery, AL – In July, President Anthony Leigh in partnership with Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Stephanie L. Kirschmann, released to the faculty and staff a new structure for Huntingdon’s Office of Academic Affairs. The change establishes the Huntingdon College Pre-Professional Dean’s Council, to be led by Dr. Kirschmann.

As part of the new structure, the current academic departments are arranged into four schools, led by a dean. Each dean will coordinate closely with Dr. Kirschmann and President Leigh to strengthen the College’s pre-professional advising, academic coordination, and student support so that every Huntingdon student can be better served in their pursuit of graduate study, professional opportunities, and meaningful careers beyond Huntingdon. 

Dr. Jennifer Ballard will serve as the Dean of the W. James Samford, Jr. School of Health and Science Professions. In addition to her leadership for the graduate program in athletic training, Dr. Ballard will have oversight over the Department of Athletic Training, Department of Biology, Department of Chemistry, and the Department of Sports Science and Physical Education. The W. James Samford, Jr. School of Health and Science Professions is named for a prominent Montgomery resident, attorney, and friend of Huntingdon College who passed away in 2003. The W. James Samford, Jr. Stadium was named for him in 2006 and the W. James Samford, Jr. Soccer and Softball Complex was named for him in 2018. Mr. Samford’s sister, Lucinda Samford Cannon, serves on the Huntingdon Board of Trustees. The Samford-Cannon Foundation continues to regularly support Huntingdon College.

Dr. Patrick Schmucker will serve as the Dean of the Joyce and Truman Hobbs School of Humanities and Social Sciences. He will provide leadership for the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the Department of History, Government, and Religion, and the Department of English. The Joyce and Truman Hobbs School of Humanities and Social Sciences is named for a distinguished former federal judge, Truman Hobbs, and his wife, Joyce, who was a great champion of the arts and civic affairs in Montgomery. Prior to Judge Hobbs’ death in 2015, Huntingdon College created the Joyce and Truman Hobbs Honors Program to encourage students to embrace the social nature of knowledge through enriched classroom experiences and challenging civic service. Their daughter, Emilie Hobbs Reid, has served as a Huntingdon Trustee. The Hobbs-Reid House on the corner of East Fairview Avenue and Woodley Terrace is also named for the Hobbs and Reid families.

Dr. Anneliese Spaeth will be the Interim Dean of the James W. Wilson, Jr. School of Business, Accounting, and Mathematics. In addition to her current roles as the Vice President for Technology and Professor of Mathematics, she will oversee leadership for the Department of Business and Accounting and the Department of Mathematics. The James W. Wilson, Jr. School of Business, Accounting, and Mathematics is named for a giant of the Alabama business community who faithfully served as a member of the Huntingdon College Board of Trustees until his death in 2006. The James W. Wilson Center at Huntingdon was a gift to the College by James W. Wilson, Jr. as a lasting tribute to his father, James W. Wilson, Sr. The James W. Wilson, Jr. Gymnasium is located inside the Will and Kelly Wilson Community and Athletic Center. Will Wilson ’90 is the son of James W. Wilson, Jr., and he currently serves as a member of the Huntingdon Board of Trustees.

Dr. Kirschmann will serve as the Interim Dean of the Dr. Laurie Jean Weil School of Teacher Education and Fine Arts while a national search is conducted to identify a new full-time leader for this school. The Dr. Laurie Jean Weil School of Teacher Education and Fine Arts is named for one of the longest serving members of the Huntingdon College Board of Trustees. Dr. Weil joined the Board in 1994 and served as Chair from 1999 to 2005. The Dr. Laurie Jean Weil Center for Teacher Education and Human Performance was established at Huntingdon in 2004. In addition to her over three decades of service on the Huntingdon Board of Trustees, Dr. Weil has served as Chair of the Board of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and the President of the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.

The Pre-Professional Dean’s Council will also include Dr. Kristi Copping as Associate Dean of Faculty and Professor of Psychology, and Dr. Tom Perrin as Associate Dean of Assessment and Professor of English.

The organizational change is part of a continued effort to maintain and strengthen Huntingdon College’s reputation as a leading pre-professional college. President Leigh offered more insight into the term “pre-professional” in his recent Presidential Convocation Address. Visit https://www.huntingdon.edu/presidential-convocation-address-2026/ to learn more about the College’s dedication to supporting students in their growth and education at Huntingdon and after graduation.

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