Greg Jones, Chair of the Communications and Creative Arts Department, started a late education career after spending most of his life as an entrepreneur. He began his professional career as a director of circulation and marketing for four newspaper groups in the Southeast.

Since then, he has owned a full-service advertising agency, served as webmaster for dozens of companies, created the publications Southern Flyer Magazine and Cross-Walk Newspaper, and managed a host of brick-and-mortar and online companies that offer everything from customized children’s books and toys to custom-imprinted specialty items. He delights in bringing his real-world business sense and experience to his students, who find his mistakes hilarious and instructive.

Greg holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of West Alabama, a Master of Arts in teaching from Mississippi State University, and a Master of Fine Arts from Full Sail University in media design.

According to legend, Greg moved above the Mason-Dixon Line, but he returned home for the barbecue. Greg and his wife Jennifer, a talented business partner in her own right, live in Meridian, Mississippi. Together, they have four children and one grandchild. They hope to have more grandchildren soon.

Katie Beard is an instructor in the Communications and Creative Arts Department. She was born and raised in Cullman, Alabama. After marrying her husband Robert Beard in 2005, she moved to Sumter County. They share two daughters, Mabry (15) and Anne Sutton (12).

In 2003, Katie earned her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the University of Alabama. She worked in retail and residential design from 2003 to 2006. She moved into the banking industry from 2006 to 2014 while holding the title of Assistant Vice-President for a local community bank. Her career at UWA began in 2004 in Online Programs. Before becoming a Communications & Creative Arts instructor, she was UWA’s Director of Alumni.

In 2022, Katie received her Master of Business Administration in Marketing from the University of West Alabama. She now teaches speech, media buying, agency, nonprofit leadership and philanthropy, and marketing courses.

Audrey Poole is an instructor of communications in the IMC program at UWA. She teaches classes in graphic design, interior design, and professional speaking. Audrey is originally from Germantown, Tennessee. In 2009, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design with a minor in art from Mississippi State University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Design.

Audrey worked as an interior designer for a residential architecture and design firm in Birmingham, Alabama, from 2010 to 2014. She moved to Sumter County in 2012 and married her husband in 2013. Audrey began working for UWA in 2014 in the Division of Online Programs as a Communications Specialist. Over time, she worked as an Online Academic Advisor and an Assistant and Associate Certification Officer until August 2022.

Audrey earned her master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from UWA in the Spring of 2022. After receiving her master’s, she began working as a communications instructor in August 2022. She still enjoys doing freelance interior design work. Audrey enjoys traveling, gardening, interior design, farm animals, and spending time with her family.

Amanda Gilliland,  M.Ed. and M.A, was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, around music and stage. After her failed attempt to qualify for Alaska’s Star Search representative, Amanda relocated to Alabama. She completed high school there and received her Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration and Marketing from Samford University in 2003. After marrying a college football coach, Amanda began pursuing a career in Higher Education Administration. Since then, she has worked at Georgia Southern University for the Graduate Admissions Office as their Communications and Training Coordinator. At Kennesaw State University, she worked as an Administrative Processing Manager. During this time, Amanda received her Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration and relocated to Livingston, Alabama. She later received her M.A in Integrated Marketing Communications from UWA.

Amanda has been a digital communications instructor at the University of West Alabama since 2016. She and her husband Brett have two children, Rece (12), their excessively sarcastic son, and Ella (8), their beautiful daughter they fondly call “savage”. Together, they all call Livingston home.