The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday to consider the appointment of the next president of The University of Alabama in Huntsville, marking a leadership transition for one of North Alabama’s key research institutions.
The special-called meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. on May 6 at Altenkirch Lawn Courtyard on the UAH campus and will be open to the public. In the event of inclement weather, the meeting will move to the Charger Student Union.
The selection follows the announced retirement of current president Dr. Charles L. Karr, who has led the university since 2022 after first serving in an interim role beginning in late 2021. His retirement takes effect in May 2026, concluding more than three decades in higher education, including 26 years with the University of Alabama System.
Karr’s tenure has been defined by major capital projects, research growth and expanded community engagement. Under his leadership, UAH advanced construction of the Raymond B. Jones Engineering Building, secured funding for additional campus development and maintained top-10 national rankings in multiple federally funded research areas.
The university also reported rising enrollment quality, record-setting freshman classes in recent years and continued growth in research expenditures, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars over a five-year period.
University officials and trustees have credited Karr with strengthening ties between UAH and Huntsville’s broader economy, including partnerships with Redstone Arsenal and Cummings Research Park, while elevating the institution’s role in aerospace, defense and technology sectors.
The board’s expected vote Wednesday follows a national search process for UAH’s next president.
