Great mentors don’t just teach — they shape confidence, spark purpose, and help transform ideas into meaningful impact.

The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (ASF) of Alabama is proud to recognize Dr. Tamika Smith, Assistant Professor in Health Behavior at UAB’s School of Public Health, as the 2026 Outstanding Academic Mentor of the Year. She was nominated by 2025-26 Fellow Shaul Gayle in recognition of her exceptional mentorship and unwavering support throughout the Fellowship year. This honor celebrates her commitment to guiding and empowering Schweitzer Fellows as they turn their passion for service into real-world change.

At the heart of the Schweitzer Fellowship is the partnership between academic mentorship and community engagement — ensuring Fellows are not only equipped with knowledge, but supported as they apply it in ways that directly benefit the communities they serve. Academic mentors like Smith play a critical role in this process, helping Fellows navigate complex challenges, refine their ideas, and grow into confident, community-centered leaders.

Smith will be honored at ASF’s Celebration of Service on April 11, alongside the graduating 2025–26 class of Fellows representing Auburn University, the University of Montevallo, Samford University, and UAB.

This year’s award is generously sponsored by the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), a longstanding partner in advancing the development of future health leaders. 

 CCTS Director Dr. Orlando Guiterrez shared his enthusiasm for continuing the Center’s partnership with the Schweitzer Fellowship in recognizing exceptional mentorship among graduate students in health disciplines.

 “Mentorship is one of the most powerful drivers of growth in the next generation of health leaders,” Guiterrez said. “At the CCTS, we are deeply committed to advancing health and addressing the complex challenges facing our communities. We know that strong mentor-mentee relationships are essential to that work — connecting experience with emerging talent, and helping translate knowledge into meaningful, community-centered impact.

 “The Schweitzer Fellowship reflects many of the same values we prioritize at CCTS, including community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and leadership development,” Guiterrez added. “Supporting this award is one way we can continue investing in those values while recognizing the mentors who make this work possible.”

A Mentor Who Turns Possibility into Impact

For Gayle, Smith’s mentorship was not just impactful — it was transformational.

Smith exemplifies what it means to meet a student where they are and help them rise far beyond it. Her impact began even before the Fellowship officially started. At a pivotal moment — following the loss of a previous faculty mentor — it was Smith’s encouragement that inspired Gayle to apply to the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship, setting the course for the year ahead.

From that point on, her mentorship became both a steady foundation and a driving force.

With deep expertise in study design and community research, Smith guided Gayle through every stage of project development —from organizing focus groups to navigating the complexities of IRB approval. Her proactive approach ensured that nothing became a barrier; instead, each challenge became an opportunity to learn and grow.

“Her guidance made the entire process smoother,” Gayle shared. “She didn’t just give answers — she helped me understand how to move forward with confidence.”

Together, they developed a project rooted in community voice — designing surveys and a health communication video that reflected real needs while promoting behavior change and strengthening self-efficacy. Smith’s ability to translate community insight into meaningful, actionable tools speaks to her deep commitment to health equity and impact.

But it was her consistency and care that truly set her apart.

Through weekly meetings, open communication, and a genuine willingness to be available whenever needed, Smith created a space where Gayle felt supported not just as a student, but as a person navigating multiple demands. She helped balance academic milestones with Fellowship responsibilities, connected Gayle with peers and collaborators, and provided thoughtful, constructive feedback at every turn.

Even in moments of uncertainty — like low participant engagement — Smith’s encouragement and practical advice kept the project moving forward.

Her support extended beyond the project itself. When Gayle was honored with the “Dr. Shauntice Allen Environmental Justice Trailblazer Award” but couldn’t attend, Smith stepped in to deliver the acceptance speech — an act that reflected not only her dedication, but her belief in her mentee’s voice and work.

“I couldn’t have done this without her,” Gayle said. “She has been a constant source of motivation, guidance, and belief in me.”

Smith’s mentorship is more than instruction — it is empowerment. And through that, she is helping shape not just a successful project, but a confident, capable leader ready to make lasting impact.