The search for the next President to lead the University of Alabama is officially underway, the System announced on Wednesday.

As the Thread previously reported, incumbent President Stuart Bell will step down from that role later this year after more than a decade. Scott Phelps, the President Pro Tempore of the UA System Board of Trustees, said a "comprehensive, national" search began on Wednesday to find his replacement.

“The University of Alabama is one of the nation’s preeminent flagship universities and provides premier and dynamic educational experiences that equip all students for success on campus and beyond, making the University uniquely positioned to attract an exceptional leader who will further its legacy of excellence,” said UA System Board of Trustees President Pro Tempore Scott Phelps. “As we embark on this important search, I want to express my gratitude to the presidential search advisory committee for their dedication and willingness to serve.”

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The mission to find and hire the Capstone's 30th President will be led by a 14-member committee chaired by Karen Brooks,  a Tuscaloosa native and member of the Board of Trustees.

They will also be supported by consultants from Academic Search - a third-party company that specializes in identifying and recruiting leaders of this caliber, including Bell himself and former UA President Robert E. Witt.

After receiving input from the community about the leader they're looking for and vetting candidates, the committee and Interim System Chancellor Sid Trant will ultimately present a potential President to the Trustees for final approval.

The Committee Members are as follows:

UA Presidential Search Advisory Committee 

  • Karen P. Brooks, Board of Trustees (chairwoman)
  • William S. Brewbaker III, Dean and Professor, The University of Alabama School of Law
  • Mike Brock, Board of Trustees
  • Samad Gillani, President, UA Student Government Association
  • Matthew Hudnall, President, UA Faculty Senate; Associate Professor, Culverhouse College of Business
  • Barbara Humphrey, Board of Trustees
  • Dr. Tonjanita Johnson, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Students Affairs, The University of Alabama System
  • Dr. James King, Jr., Associate Dean for Culture and Success and Miles-Rose Professor of Leadership, Culverhouse College of Business
  • Shane Lyons, Executive Deputy Director of Athletics/Chief Operating Officer
  • Evelyn VanSant Mauldin, Board of Trustees
  • Dr. Matt McLendon, Associate Vice President and Executive Director for Enrollment Management
  • Sid J. Trant, Interim Chancellor, The University of Alabama System
  • Jimmy Warren, Associate Vice President for Alumni Affairs and Executive Director of the National Alumni Association
  • Jackie Wuska, Alumna; President and CEO, United Way of West Alabama
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