One of the highest honors a person can receive is to be recognized by their peers for a job well done. Business Alabama’s Exceptional Educators section allows those within the education sector to do just that — nominate a peer who excels at their job, whether that is in the classroom or in an administrative role.
A Chinese proverb states: If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people. Our honorees exemplify this proverb, dedicating their lives to helping students achieve success. The following are this year’s Exceptional Educators:
Justin Burnett
Wallace State Community College
Justin Burnett serves as the department head of machine tool technology/CNC at Wallace State Community College. A Wallace State graduate, Burnett spent four years in the machining industry before transitioning into education. Now in his sixth year of teaching, Burnett is passionate about strengthening connections between industry and education. Under his leadership, the machine tool technology program continues to expand in multi-axis machining, automation and metal printing, serving as a HAAS Operator Certification Center, NASA HUNCH partner and a National Institute for Metalworking Skills-accredited program. Burnett holds an A.A.S. in machine tool technology, a bachelor’s degree in post-secondary technical education, and a master’s in career technical education – leadership from Athens State University.
Matthew Downs
University of Mobile
Matthew Downs, Ph.D., has led the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Mobile since 2020. During his tenure, he has created the graduate programs in history, English, humanities and creative practices, as well as integrated five-year Bachelor of Science/Master of Science degree in counseling and family therapy. A published historian, Downs is the recipient of the James F. Sulzby Book Award from the Alabama Historical Society for “Transforming the South.” He has served as president of the Alabama Historical Association, editor of the Alabama Review, board chairman for the Alabama Men’s Hall of Fame and is a member of the operating board of the Historic Blakely State Park Authority. He has a bachelor’s degree from Birmingham-Southern College and earned his master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Alabama.
Joseph Scott Morgan
Jacksonville State University
Joseph Scott Morgan, M.F.S., F-ABMDI, is the Distinguished Scholar of Applied Forensics and an associate professor who leads Jax State’s applied forensics program with immersive, case-driven instruction. He teaches students how to examine the dead — and what the dead reveal — through crime scene recreations informed by real-world cases. In Fall 2025, Jax State opened a cadaver lab, Alabama’s only undergraduate facility using cadavers for instruction. Morgan is regarded as one of the nation’s leading experts on the coroner system and made more than 200 media appearances last year, consistently promoting his work and the opportunities available to students in Jax State’s applied forensics program.
Kathy L. Murphy
Wallace Community College-Dothan
Kathy L. Murphy, Ph.D., was appointed president of Wallace Community College-Dothan in June. She previously served as president at Gadsden State Community College and as superintendent of Hoover City Schools and Monroe County Schools. A Troy University Alumni of the Year, she holds advanced degree from Auburn University and Auburn University at Montgomery. She was the first female member and chair of the National Beta Club board of directors and is a member of Leadership Alabama Class XXXIV.
Linda North
Southern Union State Community College
Linda North is dean of academics at Southern Union State Community College, where she affects more than 3,500 students each year. As chief instructional and academic officer, North guides the college’s largest division, which includes academic programs, adult education, distance learning and career and technical education. She uses her passion for continuous improvement and innovation to ensure Southern Union remains a place where students thrive. North earned her bachelor’s degree from Troy State University, a master’s from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, an Ed.S. at Troy State University at Montgomery and a Ph.D. at the University of Alabama.
Susan Price
Alabama Community College System
Susan Price is senior deputy chancellor and chief of staff for the Alabama Community College System, lending her vision and leadership to advancing education statewide. In this role, she partners with the chancellor to strengthen Alabama’s 24 community and technical colleges, aligning programs with workforce and economic needs. A steadfast advocate for student success, Price is celebrated for her commitment to expanding access, fostering innovation and transforming communities through the power of education. She is a graduate of Princeton University and earned a law degree from the University of Virginia.
Alan Smith
Gadsden State Community College
Alan Smith is president of Gadsden State Community College, which is celebrating its centennial year. With extensive experience in workforce development, capital projects and community relations, Smith has guided transformative investments in career and technical education while strengthening partnerships with schools, businesses and industry. His commitment to student success and regional growth reflects his understanding of how education fuels opportunity. Under his leadership, Gadsden State has continued to expand programs that prepare students for high-demand careers, drive economic development and uphold a century-long legacy of service and innovation. Smith holds degrees in agricultural business and economics and education from Auburn University and a master’s in educational leadership from the University of Alabama.
Michael “Myke” Whittington
Columbia Southern University
Michael “Myke” Whittington, Ph.D., teaches criminal justice and homeland security in the College of Safety and Emergency Services at Columbia Southern University, based in Orange Beach. Whittington draws upon his experience as a supervising criminal investigator in a district attorney’s office in California, and as a police detective at the San Jose Police Department. In California, Whittington created the state’s first Worker Exploitation Task Force. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the California POST Command College. He holds a doctorate in criminal justice and homeland security from Liberty University. Whittington has taught at CSU for the past four years and is one of the winners of the 2025 Robert G. Mayes Sr. Faculty of the Year award.
William “Butch” Young
J.F. Ingram State Technical College
William V. “Butch” Young, Ph.D., is dean of instruction at J.F. Ingram State Technical College. His career has been marked by leadership, innovation and dedication to student success. With advanced degrees from the University of Alabama, Young began his career as a high school teacher, advancing to serve as principal before transitioning to higher and correctional education. His tenure includes leadership roles in federal correctional education and as department chair at Jacksonville State University. In his current role as dean of instruction at J.F. Ingram State Technical College, Young continues to transform lives by expanding educational access and workforce training across Alabama’s correctional facilities.
This section appears in the November 2025 issue of Business Alabama.
