HUNTSVILLE — The University of Alabama System has launched a national search for the next president of the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
According to a news release, a presidential search advisory committee has been appointed and will play an important role in the search process by soliciting input from stakeholders, developing the presidential profile and position criteria, and recruiting and assessing candidates.
“UAH is a premier research university on the rise and located in one of the most dynamic cities in the nation, making this presidency an incredibly attractive opportunity for a visionary leader,” said UA System Board of Trustees President Pro Tempore Scott Phelps. “I am confident this search will result in an outstanding president eager to further elevate UAH. This search is of the highest priority, and I want to thank the members of the search advisory committee for their service.”
Dr. Charles L. Karr, president of UAH since 2022, announced his retirement last week. He joined UAH as interim president in November 2021 and was named the university’s president in September 2022. His retirement is effective May 2026,
The UAH Presidential Search Advisory Committee is composed of representatives from UAH’s faculty, students, administration, alumni, and the Huntsville community, as well as members of the Board of Trustees and UA System leadership, the news release said. Trustee Evelyn VanSant Mauldin, a Florence native, will chair the committee.
“As a lifelong resident of this region and a proud supporter of UAH, I am honored to lead this important process,” said Mauldin. “UAH plays a critical role in our state by providing high-quality education, fueling research and innovation, and driving economic growth.
“The university is on a strong upward trajectory, and we look forward to identifying a transformational leader who will build on that momentum and steer UAH into its next chapter.”
The UAH community will have opportunities to provide input on the characteristics and qualifications they believe are essential for the next president. Updates and information about the process will be shared on the official UAH Presidential Search webpage: https://uasystem.edu/uah-presidential-search .
To support the search, the UA System said it has engaged executive search consultants Lori Hemmer and Barry Vines of ZRG, a global talent firm with a dedicated Education Practice. ZRG brings deep experience and insight to this national search, with over 2,100 searches completed for more than 300 educational institutions across the country.
Vines partnered with UAH in the search that led to the appointment of former President Robert Altenkirch.
Upon the completion of the search, UA System Chancellor Sid J. Trant will recommend a final presidential candidate to the Board of Trustees for approval.
UAH Presidential Search Advisory Committee
- Chair: Evelyn VanSant Mauldin, Board of Trustees
- Dr. Amit Arora, Member, UAH Foundation; co-founder, Neurology Consultants of Huntsville
- Ronald Gray, Board of Trustees
- Jeff Gronberg, Board of Trustees
- Dr. Tonjanita Johnson, senior vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, University of Alabama System
- DeMarco McClain, area president, Bank Independent
- Dr. Tommy Morris, director, UAH Center for Cybersecurity Research and Education; Professor and Eminent Scholar of Computer Engineering, UAH College of Engineering
- Chris Pinckard, president, UAH Student Government Association
- Dr. Jodi Price, interim dean and Foundation King-McDonald Eminent Scholars Professor, UAH College of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences
- Sid J. Trant, chancellor, University of Alabama System
- Lynn Troy, UAH alumna; member, UAH Foundation; founder, Troy 7
- Dr. Kenneth Vandervoort, Board of Trustees
- Dr. Andrea Word, president, UAH Faculty Senate; cinical assistant professor, College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences; Project Director, Project Dial
Listening Sessions
The UAH Presidential Search Advisory Committee will hold virtual listening sessions for campus community members and university supporters to share feedback and comments on characteristics, qualifications and credentials they believe are essential for the next president of UAH.
The committee will host one-hour listening sessions focused on faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the local community, and will ask participants to respond to a series of questions and prompts.
A listening session will also be held Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to noon for anyone who is unable to attend their designated session or is interested in sharing feedback.
The listening sessions will be conducted via Zoom, with a maximum capacity of 500 attendees per session due to licensing restrictions. Participants must register to reserve a spot and receive the meeting credentials.
- Community: Oct. 27, 10–11 a.m. CDT
- Zoom registration link:
https://uasystem.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Faf89BfQSPySA1OP8a9Obg
- Zoom registration link:
- Students: Oct. 27, 3–4 p.m. CDT
- Zoom registration link:
https://uasystem.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NkNE8CpjQbSf2djiD7tC3g
- Zoom registration link:
- Staff: Oct. 28, 10:30–11:30 a.m. CDT
- Zoom registration link:
https://uasystem.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_9YAZ4gPCRASS2uvzxq8pxA
- Zoom registration link:
- Alumni: Oct. 29, 10-11 a.m. CDT
- Zoom registration link:
https://uasystem.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YU98nRtGSd2M6efN5Fb5zA
- Zoom registration link:
- Faculty: Oct. 30, 4–5 p.m. CDT
- Zoom registration link:
https://uasystem.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FkKkrjo8QCKcblYCgroS3A
- Zoom registration link:
- Open: Oct. 31, 11 a.m.-noon CDT
- Zoom registration link:
https://uasystem.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cuzazNosQPeFKzVufPxRYg
- Zoom registration link:
Individuals can also submit feedback and input regarding essential presidential characteristics, qualifications and credentials and other feedback relevant to the search at [email protected].
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