Dr. Natalie Adams is a Professor at The University of Alabama with a joint appointment in New College and Social and Cultural Studies in Education. She is the former Director of New College and served as the Assistant Dean of UA’s Graduate School from 2007-2013. Dr. Adams is the co-author of four books: Just Trying to Have School: The Struggle for Desegregation in Mississippi (featured at the 2019 Mississippi Book Festival), Cheerleader! An American Icon, Geographies of Girlhood, and Learning to Teach: Critical Approaches to the Field Experience. Dr. Adams was the recipient of the 2021 Outstanding Commitment to Teaching award and selected as one of the College of Arts & Sciences Teaching Fellows. Dr. Adams is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the David Mathews Center for Civic Life. Dr. Adams’ research about cheerleading is featured in the Netflix hit series Cheer and numerous media outlets and podcasts.
