Auburn College of Education graduates become educational leaders around Alabama

In Auburn’s College of Education, the Educational Leadership program is committed to preparing leaders to serve schools and communities in Alabama and beyond. The program proudly celebrates the success of its alumni, including several who have received recent promotions.

• Marcus Jackson has been promoted to assistant principal at Russell County Middle School in the Russell County School District in Seale, Alabama.

• Angie Linder has been promoted to assistant principal at Rehobeth Elementary and Rehobeth Primary. She serves within Houston County Board of Education in Dothan, Alabama.

• Todd Haynie has been promoted to superintendent of Oxford City Schools in Oxford, Alabama.

• Mary Catherine Law has been promoted to assistant superintendent for Orange Beach City Schools in Orange Beach, Alabama.

“In my new role as assistant superintendent, I find myself drawing on what I learned at Auburn every day,” Law said. “My classes were some of the most meaningful and applicable learning experiences I have ever had, and they helped prepare me to think beyond one school and lead with a broader district perspective.”

These alumni demonstrate the statewide reach of the Educational Leadership program and its commitment to developing leaders who are prepared to meet the evolving needs of education and create positive change in schools.

“One thing I learned in Auburn’s College of Education that I still carry with me today is the importance of leading with purpose, relationships and a commitment to serving others,” Jackson said. “Auburn taught me that effective leadership is not simply about having a title or making decisions — it’s about building relationships, listening to others and creating an environment where people can grow and succeed. That mindset continues to guide me in my work each day.”

Law said that her experience in the College of Education has had a tremendous impact on her career and the relationships she formed within the Educational Leadership program have been just as meaningful as the coursework.

“What makes Auburn’s Educational Leadership program so special is the quality of its professors,” Law said. “I learned from some of the best educators in Alabama, people with real, boots-on-the-ground experience leading schools who are doing meaningful research and contributing to the development of educational leaders across our state. They made what we were learning relevant to the real challenges of school leadership.”

For Linder, gaining a deeper understanding of effective leadership has been instrumental in her transition to an administrative role.

“I am passionate about education and about creating a school environment where students and educators can thrive,” Linder said. “Auburn University’s Educational Leadership program has not only prepared me for the responsibilities of administration; it has strengthened my confidence, broadened my perspective and inspired me to become the kind of leader who leads with knowledge, compassion, humility and purpose.”

Amy Serafini, associate professor and program coordinator of Educational Leadership, reiterated the impact of these successful alumni.

“These promotions represent the kind of leadership our program is proud to cultivate,” Serafini said. “Alabamians can anticipate more Auburn school leaders throughout the state.”

Learn more about the Educational Leadership program online.