Dr. Rickey McCreless is the University of North Alabama Assistant Director of External Connections & Student Success since August 2022, teaches Leadership in the Sanders College of Business & Technology MBA program since August 2021, and is a Certified Career Services Provider. Dr. McCreless earned his DBA from Liberty University in May 2021 and completed a qualitative dissertation entitled “Poor Leadership in Smaller, Southern, Municipal Police Departments.” Dr. McCreless earned an MBA from UNA in 2001 and a Bachelor of Science with a major in marketing from UNA in 1999. Prior to UNA, Dr. McCreless was involved in commercial and community banking for 17 years, most recently as a Vice President in Business Banking at Progress Bank and previously at Traders & Farmers Bank. Preceding his career in banking, Dr. McCreless served 7 years as a Florence police officer, including assignments as motor officer, SWAT team operator, and field training officer. He is happy to now be back at his alma mater, teaching and serving students.