The University of Alabama System strengthens communities statewide through education, healthcare, research and workforce development. At the June meeting of the UA System Board of Trustees, Chancellor Sid J. Trant reflected on numerous institutional initiatives across the System that the Board has advanced to drive meaningful outcomes for Alabama over the past year.
Collectively, The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, The University of Alabama in Huntsville and the UAB Health System educate more than 71,500 students, facilitate more than 2 million annual patient visits, generate a statewide economic impact exceeding $18.6 billion and support and sustain 1 in 14 jobs in the state.
“The scope of this critical work is significant,” said Chancellor Sid J. Trant. “Behind those numbers is a shared commitment to expanding opportunity, educating students, advancing discovery, improving health outcomes, and strengthening communities throughout Alabama.”
Through each institution’s unique contributions toward advancing our Systemwide mission to improve lives through teaching, research, and service, we are helping address the state’s most pressing challenges.
The University of Alabama
One year ago, the Board unanimously appointed Dr. Peter J. Mohler as the 30th president of The University of Alabama. He has established a clear direction through the Future-Ready Flagship, advancing new academic initiatives while building strong relationships across campus and throughout the state and nation. The Future-Ready Flagship centers on three priorities: developing the leaders and workforce of the future, advancing research and innovation that solve real problems and strengthening communities across Alabama and beyond.
Mohler’s collaborative and strategic approach is reflected in the creation of two new academic schools that position UA to meet emerging industry demands.
The School of Leadership and Policy reinforces the University’s commitment to educating effective civic leaders and policymakers who are shaping the state and nation, with the first cohort of students matriculating next fall 2027. Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Parker H. Wright has been selected as the inaugural dean and brings more than three decades of policy and education experience, distinguished military service and national security leadership to the role, most recently serving as commander of the Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, and deputy commander of Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base. Plans for the School continue to move forward with the renovation of Farrah Hall, which will serve as its future home.
The creation of the School of Data Science positions UA at the center of one of the most rapidly evolving areas of the global economy. As the first academic unit of its kind in Alabama, it is expected to launch in fall 2027 and will ensure students across disciplines graduate with the data analytics and artificial intelligence skills increasingly required in today’s workforce. As a campus hub for data-driven research and interdisciplinary collaboration, the School will connect expertise, infrastructure and opportunity while preparing graduates to lead in data-driven fields across industry, government and academia.
Steadfast philanthropic support is accelerating the University’s priorities. J. Frank Barefield Jr. made a $35 million commitment to name the College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Engineering was also named following a $25 million commitment from Catherine Styslinger in honor of Lee J. Styslinger Jr. These commitments reflect the longstanding excellence of the institution and further strengthen the University’s capacity to serve students and the state.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
UAB’s academic programs consistently earn recognition at the highest levels. The University placed 17 programs in the Top 20 of the U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, including the nation’s #1 Master of Health Administration program, and multiple nursing programs in the top 10.
UAB plays a leading role in strengthening Alabama’s health care workforce. UAB graduates more than 1,000 nurses a year, and a new year-round Bachelor of Science in Nursing program creates additional pathways for students to graduate and enter practice on an accelerated timeline. Many graduates remain in Alabama, helping meet critical workforce needs across the state.
& World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings
As the need for Alzheimer’s research, care and specialized training continues to grow, UAB is advancing efforts to meet that demand. A $10 million gift from the Gorrie family is accelerating the University’s work in Alzheimer’s disease research, education, patient care and community outreach. The investment supports the newly named Frances Gorrie Alzheimer’s Disease Center, strengthening its role in advancing discovery and expanding access to care. With more than 103,600 Alabama residents living with Alzheimer’s and the state facing one of the highest rates in the nation, this investment will help increase clinical trials, support specialist training and expand access to care for patients across the state.
UAB launched the SUCCESS Initiative in Fall 2025, reflecting a coordinated, institution-wide approach to improve retention, engagement and the overall student experience by aligning academic support and student services around student achievement – beginning with recruitment and lasting throughout their time on campus.
UAB Health System
The UAB Health System now cares for more than 1.4 million unique patients a year and operates at an extraordinary scale while delivering world-class care to patients across Alabama and beyond, reinforcing UAB’s role as one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers.
UAB Hospital remains the top-ranked hospital in Alabama and is now the fifth-largest hospital in the nation, with 1,400 beds and more than 929,000 unique patients treated over the past year. As the state’s longest-serving and highest-volume American College of Surgeons Level 1 Trauma Center, it remains a critical resource for the most complex cases.
in the nation
To meet growing demand, UAB Medicine continues to make significant investments in patient care. The recently opened inpatient rehabilitation pavilion provides 134 beds and innovative therapy environments designed to support recovery and improve outcomes, and a $73 million emergency department expansionwill increase capacity and improve access to critical emergency services for patients across the region.
The health system’s commitment to service remains equally important. Over the past year, UAB Medicine provided more than $256 million in charity care, helping ensure access to high-quality care for patients in need throughout Alabama.
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Located in one of the nation’s most dynamic technology corridors and a globally recognized hub for defense, space and manufacturing, UAH is supported by a long track record of research excellence. The University recently announced that for the 13th consecutive year, five research programs ranked in the Top 25 federally-funded programs in the country, with UAH leading the state in Department of Defense, NASA, aerospace engineering, computer and information sciences, atmospheric science and meteorology and astronomy expenditures.
The University’s Invention to Innovation Center has strengthened connections among academic research, federal priorities and private-sector innovation. The recent additions of Microsoft and Palo Alto Networks as corporate partners bring advanced cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and hybrid-edge technologies into the innovation ecosystem, creating new opportunities for research collaboration and expanding student and faculty access to cutting-edge technologies and real-world applications.
to Innovation Center
UAH’s connection to industry and community is further reflected in long-term campus development. The recent selection of a master developer for the planned Exploration Plaza development represents a significant step forward in this transformative endeavor, which will reinforce UAH’s position as a hub for collaboration and innovation by creating an entire campus addition that fosters community partnership, supports research and discovery, and enhances the student and faculty experience.
Dr. Donald J. Leo, the 11th president at UAH, recently took the helm and brings a strong record and deep experience working at the intersection of education, industry, and government, with more than three decades of experience in higher education, engineering and research leadership. His background – as an aerospace engineer, a nationally respected research leader, and a builder of high-achieving engineering and research enterprises – aligns closely with UAH’s mission.
For Every Alabamian
Through a shared commitment to excellence and service, the UA System continues to serve Alabama and expand what is possible for students, patients and individuals across the state. Together, the UA System’s institutions and the exceptional people within them – leaders, faculty, staff, students and health care professionals – are building a future defined by opportunity, innovation and lasting impact.