Board of Trustees approves Peter Moller as University of Alabama’s 30th president

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved Dr. Peter Moller as the 30th president of the University of Alabama in a voice vote; the appointment takes effect July 21, 2025.

The vote followed a recommendation from Chancellor Sid Trant and a report from the presidential search advisory committee chaired by Trustee Karen Brooks. Trustee Brooks said the committee conducted listening sessions and nationwide outreach to develop a candidate profile and identify finalists.

“Over 500 attended our listening sessions and helped us determine key criteria to look for in the next president,” Trustee Karen Brooks said, summarizing the committee’s public engagement. Chancellor Sid Trant recommended Moller to the board, saying, “I’m excited to announce that we have found that someone.”

Dr. Peter Moller, who most recently served at The Ohio State University as executive vice president for research, innovation and knowledge and briefly as acting president, addressed the board after the vote. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime,” Dr. Moller said, adding that he and his family are “thrilled to return to the South” and looking forward to listening to and working with the campus community.

The search advisory committee engaged consultants from Academic Search, conducted seven weeks of national recruitment and maintained a confidential application process. The committee’s work led to a set of finalists and, ultimately, Chancellor Trant’s recommendation of Moller.

Chancellor Trant outlined aspects of Moller’s record cited in the recommendation: leadership at an R1 institution, oversight of large research enterprises and Division I athletics programs, and experience building partnerships among universities, government and industry. Trant said Moller has overseen substantial growth in research expenditures and led large academic and administrative units.

The board adopted the agenda for the special meeting, heard Trustee Brooks’ report on the search process, accepted Chancellor Trant’s recommendation and approved the appointment by voice vote with no recorded opposition. The motion’s mover and seconder were made on the record; the board did not record an individual roll-call tally in the minutes provided.

Moller thanked outgoing University of Alabama President Dr. Stuart Bell for his leadership and said his immediate priority will be listening to faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners to chart a path forward. The board did not record additional directives or conditions attached to the appointment during the meeting.