Over the past few weeks, I have started traveling to Bama in Your Town events, talking with prospective students and their families about what they are looking for in a university and what they hope their college experience will make possible.
I want outstanding students to choose Alabama. But getting them here is only the beginning. What happens next matters even more.
Our responsibility is to give students the opportunities and support they need to succeed, prepare them to graduate ready for what comes next, and develop leaders who will make a difference in their communities, our state and beyond.
Last year, The University of Alabama awarded more than 10,000 degrees. I am incredibly proud of that number because each represents a graduate ready to put what they learned and experienced here to work. I want more of those graduates to build their careers, lead, serve and create their futures right here in Alabama.
That is how we think about growth at the future-ready flagship — not simply about enrollment, but about growing opportunity, achievement and what we can accomplish for our students, our state and beyond.
– Peter
DEVELOP | Learning Put Into Practice
An Alabama education opens doors, creating possibilities that extend beyond the classroom.
- Take your Alabama experience somewhere new. Students, applications are now open for the 2027 Capitol Scholars program, where you can spend the summer in Washington, D.C., gaining firsthand experience in government, policy and public service. If that is a future you want to explore, take a look.
- Keep growing as leaders. I am excited for the 18 faculty and staff members selected for the 2026-2027 Leadership U class. I value this program for the opportunity it creates to learn from one another, build relationships and continue developing the people who help Alabama move forward.
DISCOVER | Research That Makes an Impact
Discovery is about asking important questions and pursuing answers that change what we know, how we live and what is possible.
- See where discovery can lead. I am proud of our four engineering faculty who recently earned prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Awards. Just as exciting are the opportunities their work creates for our students to learn alongside faculty who are pushing the boundaries of their fields. It is a great example of how research and education strengthen one another at Alabama.
SERVE | From the Capstone to Our Communities
Our responsibility to students does not end when they cross the commencement stage. Every student we recruit represents potential, and every student we graduate represents possibility for them and the communities they will shape. We will continue strengthening connections across the state so more graduates can build their careers and lives here.
- Strengthen connections across Alabama. Our Division of Partnerships is building relationships with communities, business, industry and government to connect UA with Alabama’s workforce needs and opportunities. These partnerships create more pathways for our students and graduates to put their talents to work.
STEWARD | The Importance of Faculty
Our faculty play a pivotal role in developing students to become tomorrow’s leaders and innovators, and I value the meaningful input and collaboration we share with our Faculty Senate.
- The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees made recent policy updatesto formalize the senate’s role and responsibilities, address the review of new academic programs and implement post-tenure review. The changes are consistent with Alabama House Bill 580 and will require corresponding updates to some of our campus policies. As we develop UA’s post-tenure review process, I encourage faculty to attend the related upcoming listening session with the senate and Office for Academic Affairs about that process.
Voices of UA
“I had no idea an experience like this was possible as a UA student. Additionally, I am not a conventional history major; I am a neuroscience pre-med student. So, in addition to learning the Inca history, I was able to tailor the experience to my interests by researching and presenting on how the Incas used agriculture to support their healthcare system.”
Lila Chamberlain, sophomore neuroscience major
This summer, Lila was one of 11 UA students who hiked Peru’s Inca Trail, exploring its history and culture through hands-on learning. Explore more study abroad opportunities through the Capstone International Center.