Board approves new graduate programs, appointments and administrative changes across UA, UAB and UAH

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees on June 6 approved a package of academic individual and administrative actions across the system's campuses, including final approvals, program renewals, administrative restructurings and faculty appointments.

For UA (University of Alabama), trustees granted final approval for the proposed Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering, a program the committee initially approved on Feb. 7. The board also heard a presentation seeking approval for a proposed Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence; Provost James Dalton described the program as technical and intended to prepare graduates for careers such as AI developer, data scientist and machine-learning engineer. Trustees approved the UA individual action items by voice vote.

UA additionally requested renewal to participate in the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) for the College of Human Environmental Sciences children's program; system presenters said the USDA Food and Nutrition Service requires board approval for participation. Trustees approved the renewal.

UA administrative items approved included a requested closure of the Alabama Cyber Institute (ACI) effective Sept. 30, 2025, which the university described as part of a two-phase plan tied to a forthcoming proposal to establish a High Performance Computing and Data Center. UA also presented multiple endowed chair and professorship appointments, including a Roberta M. and John L. Rhodes endowed chair in human nutrition and two Shelby distinguished professor designations; the materials cited start dates (Aug. 16, 2025) and term lengths for some appointments.

At UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham), trustees approved final approval of the Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical and Health Informatics (previously approved by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education at its March 2025 meeting) and two new program proposals: a Master of Science in Higher Education with an Intercollegiate Athletic Administration track (including esports) and a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology. UAB presenters said the exercise-physiology program change was driven in part by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security decision adding the field to the STEM-designated degree list; the university said it must establish a distinct program to secure the STEM designation.

UAB administrative items approved included degree name changes (for example, renaming a Bachelor of Science in Biobehavioral Nutrition and Wellness to Nutrition Sciences), the establishment of an endowed professorship in reproductive health research, and creation of a comprehensive Healthy Living Research Center; trustees recommended and approved the items by voice vote.

At UAH (University of Alabama in Huntsville), trustees approved a 24-credit post-master's certificate in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). The presenters said the board rule (board rule 502) requires board approval for new for-credit graduate certificate programs of 18 credit hours or more. Trustees also approved the formal establishment of a Department of Engineering Technology in the College of Science and related faculty appointments; materials noted plans to add faculty in fall 2025 and readiness for ABET review in fall 2025.

Presenters for these items included Dr. Tanjanita Johnson, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs; Dr. James Dalton, UA Executive Vice President and Provost; and Dr. Janet Woodruff Gordon, UAB Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. Committee presenters repeatedly stated the items had been reviewed by campus and system officials and by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education where required. Trustees approved the collection of academic action items by voice votes recorded in the meeting transcript.