Alabama Engage Together Project Selects 12 Research Fellows to Advance Statewide Fight Against Human Trafficking

September 15, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL – The Alabama Engage Together Project (ETP) has selected 12 Research Fellows from six universities across the state to join its groundbreaking, multi-year effort to end and prevent human trafficking in Alabama.

ETP is a two-phase, three-year transformational community assessment initiative spearheaded by Attorney General Steve Marshall. The project is designed to identify community strengths and gaps, mobilize multi-sector collaboration, and equip local leaders with actionable strategies to better prevent exploitation and care for survivors.

As part of this work, the ETP Research Fellows will contribute to research, analysis, and community engagement efforts focused on human trafficking and related exploitation.

The following students were selected from a competitive pool of applicants for this prestigious fellowship:

Will Ross, Auburn University

Abrianna Arnett, Auburn University

Jennifer Ludwick, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Andra Jeann Hullinger, University of Alabama at Birmingham

Amy "Grace" Faulk, Faulkner University

Don Heald, Faulkner University

Cheyenne Henegar, Huntingdon College

Tori Tipton, Samford University

Ryan Taylor, Samford University

Charlotte Wilson, University of Alabama

Manpreet Kaur, University of Alabama

Macy Cates, University of Alabama

Attorney General Steve Marshall praised the Fellows and the project's mission,

"Human trafficking is one of the most urgent public safety and human rights challenges of our time. Alabama must confront it with both compassion and determination. The students selected as Research Fellows will play a critical role in building the knowledge and partnerships needed to protect the vulnerable, hold traffickers accountable, and strengthen communities across our state," Attorney General Marshall said.

Katie Beth McCarthy, Coordinator for the Alabama Anti-Human Trafficking Alliance, added: "It is an honor to be part of this initiative, and these students represent some of the best and brightest in our state. The Engage Together Project will leave a lasting impact on Alabama's fight against human trafficking."

For more information about the Engage Together Project and its partners, visit: https://engagetogether.com/project/alabama/.