[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,75,87,99],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6268008,"mediaKeyId","3060015-34a664c1a518203496100d2295de72ee","parentId",3060015,"title","Academic Affairs committee approves new degrees, department and endowed positions across UA system","audioSeconds",1455,"startMs",282000,"endMs",1737000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3060015-34a664c1a518203496100d2295de72ee&start=282&end=1737","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3060015-34a664c1a518203496100d2295de72ee/thumbnail_282000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6268008/Alabama/Academic-Affairs-committee-approves-new-degrees-department-and-endowed-positions-across-UA-system","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268008-9ec6157d2dc95ce77ba1b600a420ac07/orig.mp4?Expires=1769768706&Signature=BTPESlR2GUhoikuYyuLPIMgXzA6ILwwuZqYcC7f1r-YZ~31Tx~J-1l0teFJKLyxrnRnR1dTCECpoB5wLi4TuQUTAcBCXvOmK7inV0JUDKlvI-NtKK9litzItKSOQ-CWHtdOvOtREUNJvnRrLNgZ0JZYjaWhXnze85R7GVF0uc1BvLDca9nQhx611bOa8hnYXFPeisKmDKDfg7FHseIJ1hwqODm4vuPniUOuqJM~cJ0vqpQXt-sDj5euTaPQKrAMBKtTPuzWhklfBp-hDbaIxyGjjb70C9h0hVwKnPT~w0ab~aAj1l6Qb9Xr2GCTlcYm9cVgTRVIV0sUpo9ewcWJ3mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","University of Alabama System","date","2025-04-19T09:46:17.547Z","article","The Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Committee of the University of Alabama System on April 4 recommended approval of 37 action items spanning the system's three universities, including new degree programs, departmental reorganizations and several endowed appointments.

The committee moved the items to the board with unanimous committee votes after presentations from system and campus academic leaders. Tonjanita Johnson, senior vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, presented system-level items; James Dalton, UA executive vice president and provost, and provosts from UAB and UAH presented campus proposals.

The recommendations include final and initial program approvals, departmental establishment, the creation and appointment of endowed chairs and professorships, and routine administrative requests. Committee members voiced no substantive opposition before votes were taken; meeting minutes record the chair calling for the ayes and declaring the items approved.

Votes at a glance (committee recommendation sent to the board):
- Master of Science in Translational Science and Medicine (UA): recommended for approval. James Dalton described the program as research‑heavy and designed to prepare students for careers in biomedical and pharmaceutical research and for further graduate or medical study. Outcome: recommended to the board (committee vote: approved).
- Establish Department of Hospitality and Sport Management (UA): requested implementation by fall 2027 to separate hospitality and sport management from the department housing nutrition programs. Outcome: recommended to the board (committee vote: approved).
- Three endowed positions at UA and one endowed chair appointment: Robert and Laura Abernathy Endowed Chair in Medicinal Chemistry; Christopher Edward Dietrich Endowed Professorship (Culverhouse College of Business); Alan Pizzatola Endowed Marketing Professorship (Culverhouse College of Business); appointment of Dr. Carla L. Atkinson as the Howard Gray and Lois Boozer Douglas Endowed Chair in Biological Sciences. Outcome: recommended to the board (committee vote: approved).
- UAB: Final approval (previously granted initial approval 11/08/2024) for a Bachelor of Science in Esports Performance Management and Coaching (title revised to remove “Kinesiology”), plus initial approvals for a Master of Science in Applied Nutrition and a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences. UAB presenters said the programs respond to workforce demand; UAB agreed to post‑implementation reviews and interim reporting where required. Outcome: recommended to the board (committee vote: approved).
- UAB administrative items (24 items presented as a group): establishment of a Division of Global and Rural Health in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; multiple endowed professorships and lectureships; closure of three centers (Center for Advanced Surgical Aesthetics; UAB Cleft and Craniofacial Center; UAB HudsonAlpha Center for Genomic Medicine); renaming requests including a name change tied to a $5,000,000 commitment (Killian Center) and other conversions/renamings; multiple faculty appointments to endowed positions. Outcome: recommended to the board (committee vote: approved).
- UAH: Final approval of a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (initial approval 11/08/2024); initial approvals for a Bachelor of Science in Cyber Operations Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Game Design (both presented as workforce‑oriented programs); and approval of the appointment of Dr. George J. Nelson as the inaugural Ashok K. Singhal Endowed Chair in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Outcome: recommended to the board (committee vote: approved).

Why it matters: the approved items add to the system’s mix of applied and research‑oriented programs aimed at workforce needs (cybersecurity, medical laboratory sciences, translational medicine, esports management), reposition academic units for visibility and partnerships (new department at UA), and secure philanthropic support through named chairs and professorships that can influence hiring and research capacity.

What presenters said: James Dalton called the proposed UA master’s program “an exciting, new master’s program” with a heavy emphasis on research experience and industry partnerships. UAB leaders noted added post‑implementation monitoring steps for the Esports program and framed the new applied nutrition and medical laboratory programs as responses to state and national workforce shortages.

Details and follow up: many approvals were contingent on previously agreed post‑implementation reporting (for example, UAB’s Esports program will submit an interim review after three years). Where programs will reassign or rename existing coursework, presenters said no new campus resources were required; where new departments or endowed appointments are involved, implementation dates and search/appointment details were included in committee materials submitted in advance.

The committee also heard system information items such as notice of a National Center for Education Statistics zip code update requested by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education to align inventory codes for similar certificate programs at UAB and UAH, and a post‑implementation status report that recommended discontinuation of UAH’s Bachelor of Science in Individualized Science after low enrollment. Those information items were presented for committee awareness rather than formal committee action.

Next steps: the committee’s recommendations were submitted to the full Board of Trustees for final action. Where interim reviews or teach‑out plans were noted, campuses must complete the specified post‑implementation reporting or teach‑out steps to satisfy regulatory or accreditor requirements.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Trustees Meeting - April 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The University of Alabama System Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Committee on April 4 recommended approval of 37 items to the board, including new degree programs at UA, UAB and UAH, the establishment of a Department of Hospitality and Sport Management at UA, multiple endowed positions, and several campus administrative requests.","taxTitle","University of Alabama System, School Districts, Alabama","taxId",79433,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":76,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":77,"_40":78,"_42":79,"_44":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6267994,"Board nominates Clay Ryan and reappoints multiple directors to Southern Research board",154,3026000,3180000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3060015-34a664c1a518203496100d2295de72ee&start=3026&end=3180","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3060015-34a664c1a518203496100d2295de72ee/thumbnail_3026000.jpg","/articles/6267994/Alabama/Board-nominates-Clay-Ryan-and-reappoints-multiple-directors-to-Southern-Research-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267994-d1ae0e8c113634f9184ad75b85e74f42/orig.mp4?Expires=1769768706&Signature=oljw1tDS8ZhsLhM8ua0c0de3FXHpPmr7V66KfbJBymhm-S58Ebx33lIivWCtAQOJeeg7nYf1eDyxq32V8LhLajR~yEeuCh2gl7YU1ua97kxqOOJ~2CxhS9RMgkLe1NEi6khVb-5~U2uypb9I0qKdistoyPkalx12XEoCaY2-qH6rxOFXjTOz7VhcOcX7aUVNdPzwrhhGkIBIrwcWbS95j2TCGZb~AjMcHAZkMyNQjLq4c0T-CY57v8vCGyHRj-S0QzipDF3e9h-Ri~UxhB6nROfoT7iUmrlllTBavrpVqgsjSdh-jMQ10CAKoxAmGhnXF5v-8cE2ufzfxoi51sFksQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Nominee Committee on April 4 recommended approval of appointments to the Southern Research board of directors, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Jeff Peebles effective Nov. 30, 2024.

The committee presented Clay Ryan, senior vice president of external affairs at Alabama Power, as the nominee to serve a three‑year term ending in November 2027. The committee also recommended reappointments for Dr. Christopher Brown, Jamie McMahon, Ruffner Page and Chancellor Sid Trant to three‑year terms ending November 2027. The committee moved the resolution with no recorded opposition.

Why it matters: Southern Research is an independent nonprofit research organization; board appointments shape governance and external partnerships that can affect research collaborations between the organization and university campuses.

The committee recorded a motion and a second and advanced the resolution for final board approval.","The nominee committee recommended approval of appointments and reappointments to the Southern Research board of directors, including Clay Ryan to fill a vacancy left by Jeff Peebles.",{"_32":88,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":89,"_40":90,"_42":91,"_44":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6267999,"Board committee approves campus namings and additional endowments as UA campaign nears $1.8 billion",190,2561000,2751000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3060015-34a664c1a518203496100d2295de72ee&start=2561&end=2751","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3060015-34a664c1a518203496100d2295de72ee/thumbnail_2561000.jpg","/articles/6267999/Alabama/Board-committee-approves-campus-namings-and-additional-endowments-as-UA-campaign-nears-18-billion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6267999-7ccf5f6d1b16080405ecb41a5dbfbc82/orig.mp4?Expires=1769768706&Signature=Z6tCLJT5o1znrwFWDMJm4GlEICxsymjz39adWRWqymGPzySijYt8mvJkpipBBlK596giIChFkCYUQ6MA267BvHCAxzawaYQxSUQAOzTkZHPQaGg8X3yv2L5VZ4PB2WLNCrysBZixeYw6tsK0CmU9wPyTIrzvK1dnrSjMTGYlCWg-27moxLypw5uQC27WnU-JcQeSDn6lryXjEjeGwXzpsBnW8jaeEjJj2fgLuJhbLZrIiQASuQGZ8~GJv6R6qlgyVo9AuOfOU4HmH15Uzx2D70Zxfo~EYYfHDwx9nc3etdNyfS5G5ahwNh1QmDzk9Jz2yX9YuLR-rueUIvKnbN8A7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Honorary Degrees and Recognition Committee on April 4 recommended approval of multiple naming resolutions and endowment actions across the University of Alabama System following presentations from university presidents and advancement officers.

President Bell presented several UA items including namings within the Capstone College of Nursing and Mary Hill Austin Hall and the revision of 26 endowments tied to the university’s fundraising campaign; Bell noted the rising tide capital campaign had reached $1.7 billion toward a $1.8 billion goal and was at about 95% of the target as of the meeting.

UAB presented a resolution accepting gifts and pledges to establish 18 endowments supporting education, health and research missions. UAH highlighted gifts including a Killpoint gift to establish a Killpoint Professorship in Family Wealth in the College of Business and the naming of the Dr. Louis B. Warner AI Machine Learning Lab following a $143,000+ gift.

Committee members asked no substantive questions; motions and seconds were recorded and the committee voted to recommend approval to the full board.

Why it matters: the approvals memorialize donor commitments and create or revise endowed funds that underwrite faculty positions, research and program support across the system. Presenters framed the actions as part of an advancing fundraising campaign that supports student scholarships, research capacity and facility naming opportunities.

Details: President Bell reported the campus capital campaign milestone ($1.7 billion raised) and highlighted the donor and naming items contained in committee materials. UAB and UAH presenters provided summaries of gifts and the endowments to be established; committee materials provided the full donor lists and gift amounts where required.

The committee recommended the naming and endowment items to the board for final action. No dissent was recorded in the committee discussion.

","The Honorary Degrees and Recognition Committee recommended approval of multiple namings and endowment revisions across the system, and committee members noted fundraising milestones for the University of Alabama's rising tide campaign.",{"_32":100,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":101,"_40":102,"_42":103,"_44":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6268003,"UAH spotlights career services and experiential learning; students cite internships and co‑ops as key to job outcomes",581,1893000,2474000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3060015-34a664c1a518203496100d2295de72ee&start=1893&end=2474","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3060015-34a664c1a518203496100d2295de72ee/thumbnail_1893000.jpg","/articles/6268003/Alabama/UAH-spotlights-career-services-and-experiential-learning-students-cite-internships-and-coops-as-key-to-job-outcomes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6268003-e8cfc028e02fc948d4be3d657b4f64b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1769768706&Signature=NCK6C3-BZtTNawi--KF~UEtGHuqn4F~hTZHJqlfn5jww9zOKTfMKvY1fzaCWQhIv2G6MVv4lB~KR4Fy5OU7x9btRClsei4dv11ijK2JD7igK9Kd3cTmDM9k6GIGA5uiEvrJeYwJWmN9n5avRLXM8R7C7dLjNxDidT4quYvGMxigeFF1Ht9IBZfM49blPAkyDk~BLFj0zh54UO8uDDiUHjyRnKP-NRDu--W6Cbq2kMtcXzZlXiMtdrU2ZeUh97afoRCjFsUpEzBwIkH48ifMW816QBjc42CPuXKl6aOZt2v8FBwW9P4pl4dWRfKv27eOzJZedW9UqZwMdGVXpiGBgPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ronnie Abare, vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, told the Academic Affairs and Student Affairs Committee on April 4 that UAH has expanded career development and experiential opportunities aimed at preparing students for employment and graduate study.

Abare outlined programs for first‑year and continuing students, including Mentor a Charger, Month of Externships, What Up Wednesday events with recruiters, and Field Trip Friday visits to local employers. He said the system‑wide career development platform Stepping Blocks has seen more than 2,000 active users since launch.

The presentation emphasized partnerships with employers to create pipelines and professional experiences. Abare highlighted a multi‑year partnership with Northrop Grumman called the I4 program that provides a four‑year talent pipeline featuring mentorship, co‑op opportunities and a sponsored senior design project. He also described two large career fairs that bring about 185 employers and more than 2,000 students to campus each year.

Students and recent alumni joined portions of the presentation. Samuel Arnold, a chemistry and physics double major, described undergraduate research on metal targets and nanoparticle development. Maddie Eason, a senior information systems major concentrating in cybersecurity, said co‑op and internship experiences allowed her to earn certifications and practical skills valued by employers.

UAH described a planned project to convert underused space in the student center into an interview suite for employers and students to conduct on‑campus interviews in professional settings, including virtual interviews. Abare said the suite will support both individual and group interviews and provide a private space for students to use for Zoom or phone interviews.

Why it matters: UAH officials framed career services expansion as central to student success and regional workforce development. Abare noted that roughly 75% of UAH graduates remain in Alabama after graduation, emphasizing local workforce impact.

Clarifying details provided in the presentation included the number of active Stepping Blocks users (about 2,000), typical employers at career events (about 185 employers), and the number of students who participate in experiential learning each semester (about 1,500 across practicum, internships, co‑ops, research, clinical rotations and other experiences). Presenters said the mock career fair for first‑year engineering students is used to give students hands‑on practice with resumes and recruiter interactions.

The committee received the spotlight as an informational item; no formal committee action was required. Abare and the UAH presenters invited board members to campus events, including an April 11 financial literacy program. Student Government Association president Mark Porter and other student speakers were introduced later in the institutional session.

","University of Alabama in Huntsville officials and students described career services programs, employer partnerships and experiential learning initiatives that UAH officials say help students secure internships, co‑ops and jobs; attendees heard details about Stepping Blocks adoption, industry pipelines and an upcoming interview suite conversion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Academic Affairs committee approves new degrees, department and endowed positions across UA system

Board nominates Clay Ryan and reappoints multiple directors to Southern Research board

Board committee approves campus namings and additional endowments as UA campaign nears $1.8 billion

UAH spotlights career services and experiential learning; students cite internships and co‑ops as key to job outcomes