Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

For years, Armand Barnard found his voice on stage and on screen. But beyond the spotlight, his ambitions run deeper: to understand people, not just perform for them.

After earning his undergraduate degree at Stellenbosch University, Barnard started exploring opportunities to continue his education in the United States, where his brother was already studying in Texas. Through the international recruitment agency, , he connected with Dr. Mark Davis, dean of at the University of West Alabama.

Barnard said he felt an immediate connection. “I could tell right away that this was someone I wanted to work with.”

With guidance from Davis, Barnard chose UWA, drawn not only to its master’s degree in —clinical psychology option—but also to the sense of community in Livingston.

“I knew it would be an adjustment coming to the States,” he said. “But the South, the people of Alabama, the Christian landscape and the strong sense of community here felt closer to my home country and Afrikaans culture.”

An actor and musician from South Africa, Barnard has built a growing list of screen credits, appearing in productions such as Troukoors (Wedding Fever) (2021), its follow-up series (2021—2022), and the television drama Die Byl (2025). He also appeared in the 2024 music video for ‘A-Okay,’ released by Sony Music Entertainment Africa.

“Since I was little, I’ve always been interested in people and why they do what they do,” Barnard said. “Acting lets you explore that in one way, but I wanted to understand it on a deeper level.”

While studying at UWA, Barnard focused on global perspectives, preparing a thesis on Japanese attitudes toward therapy, which he said are more positive today than in years past. He hopes to visit the country one day to further explore its culture and evolving views on mental health.

As graduation approaches, Barnard is applying to clinical psychology Ph.D. programs, a highly competitive path he said can be as selective as medical school admissions.

After commencement, he plans to attend Nashville Music Night, hosted by Friends of South Africa, celebrating both his academic achievement and his South African roots alongside his mother and fiancée. The couple plans to marry in December, marking a new chapter in a year of transition.

Although his future plans remain uncertain, Barnard said that he draws strength from one of his favorite Bible passages, Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

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Story by: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

Working as a mental health technician at a psychiatric hospital in Tuscaloosa led Syndi Stevenson to study psychology at the University of West Alabama.

The Tuscaloosa native began studying kinesiology at Shelton State Community College after high school. Tired of taking online classes, she transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi. But she failed out, and the experience crushed her.

That’s when Stevenson decided to take a gap year—an experience that helped her realize she was in the wrong field.

“I struggled at USM and knew kinesiology wasn’t the right fit for me,” Stevenson said, “but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. After working for a year at Bryce Hospital, I knew I wanted to learn more about the field of psychology.”

Stevenson said Livingston’s proximity to her hometown and the low teacher/student ratio drew her to the UWA.

As a first-generation college student, she admits she floundered at times. Graduating from high school during the COVID-19 pandemic only added to the challenge.

“There was so much I didn’t know, especially all the opportunities that are out there and the different career paths you can take,” Stevenson said. “I am forever grateful to the people at UWA, the professors and others who have helped me along the way.”

Looking ahead to her next step, the once-shy transfer student will begin graduate school at UWA in the fall, with a goal of becoming a counselor working with young adults.

“One of my favorite things about my time at UWA is being a resident assistant,” Stevenson said. Several RAs, including my own, reached out to me after my first semester and told me I should apply. I have enjoyed it so much, and it has reinforced that I’m on the right track with my career path.”

The oldest of five, Stevenson is encouraging her siblings to go to college as well.

“I have a sister graduating high school in May who applied to two colleges, so I’m really excited about that. Even though she didn’t want to at first, it’s enough for me to know I made an impact and encouraged her to give it a try.”

On the Dean’s list the past three semesters, Stevenson credits her faith for getting her to this point.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the Lord. Everything worked out just like it was supposed to,” she said. “God had a purpose for me, even when I thought I couldn’t do it. I see that now.”

The post After gap year, transfer student finds her “something” at UWA appeared first on University of West Alabama.

Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

T.J. Runyon has always been fascinated by human behavior. His journey has taken him from studying fossils alongside James Lamb at the University of West Alabama’s Black Belt Museum to now earning an undergraduate degree in during Fall 2025 commencement exercises. Next up for the new graduate is a master’s program in clinical mental health counseling. Through it all, Runyon has been driven by a deep desire to help others that he says UWA helped him clarify and pursue.

Runyon discovered UWA during one of his life’s greatest challenges. After a blood cancer diagnosis in 2016 left him with ample time to read, his love for science resurfaced, especially his early interest in paleontology.

“I was a big science nerd growing up until I discovered sports in the fourth grade and never looked back,” he said. “I even studied exercise science in college.”

Family challenges later led him to leave school and enter the work force. While looking for ways to stay connected to paleontology, he met Lamb at UWA’s Black Belt Museum. There, he joined experts in the field for digs and spent countless hours working and spending time at the Museum.

“I really wanted to study paleontology. More specifically, I was interested in inferring behavior from the fossil record,” Runyon said.

But as a non-traditional student who needed to work full-time, he soon realized that path wasn’t feasible. Exploring other UWA programs that aligned with his interests, Runyon chose to study psychology—and after only two online classes, he fell in love with the field.

He said that completing coursework online required unique discipline, and he feels far more certain about his goals now than when he first entered college at 20. “At 35, I’m more mature and can handle the load and responsibility better. And at UWA, it felt like my experience was more blended. I came to campus fairly often, attending sporting events, met routinely with my professors—even had lunch with them a time or two.”

Runyon now plans to enroll in UWA’s , with the long-term goal of becoming a psychoanalyst.

“I’m also going to apply for a couple of mentorships and fellowships at psychoanalytic training institutes to supplement my graduate instruction,” he said. “I’ll get my license and then spend another three to five years doing psychoanalytic training.”

During his time at UWA, Runyon also co-authored a paper with Dr. Alexandra Zidenberg of the University of Montreal, published in the Journal of Psychology and Sexuality.

He is grateful for his opportunities at UWA and the supportive faculty, particularly Dr. Marti Herlong, an assistant professor of psychology. “She’s been very influential in my journey, and a great mentor who guided me along the way,” he said.  “There really is something about this place, and I’m excited to take my next step here.”

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