TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama has started the search for the inaugural dean of the recently established School of Leadership and Policy.
The dean will be charged to refine the vision and mission for the School, create an organizational structure, appoint a robust faculty across various ranks, hire key administrative and support staff, and provide leadership on planning, curricular, research, and budgetary decisions. The dean is expected to deeply engage with campus and civic leaders, business and industry partners, and local, state, and federal partners to advance the goals of the new School and UA.
Dr. Mark Brandon, academic director of the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership and the Thomas E. McMillan Professor of Law at the UA School of Law, is chair of the search committee. Brandon is joined by committee members including:
- Dr. Peter Brummund, associate professor of economics, Culverhouse College of Business
- Angus R. Cooper III, UA System Board of Trustees
- Dr. Rona Donahoe, professor of geological sciences, Barefield College of Arts & Sciences
- Mark Foley, secretary of the UA System Board of Trustees
- Stewart Hall, UA alumnus and chair of the Shelby Scholars Advisory Board
- Marah Inman, UA student
- Dr. Bob Johnson Jr., professor of educational leadership, College of Education
- Dr. James King Jr., associate dean for culture and success and the Minnie Caddell Miles-Frank A. Rose Memorial Endowed C&BA Professorship of Leadership, Culverhouse College of Business
- Dan Layzell, vice president for finance and operations
- Jody Singer, UA alumna and former director of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
- Dr. Joseph Smith, professor of political science, Barefield College of Arts & Sciences
- Dr. Gregory B. Thompson, Distinguished University Research Professor, Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering
- Katie B. Thompson (Non-voting member), university counsel, Office of Counsel
The School of Leadership and Policy will combine classroom learning with hands-on experience to train future leaders, policymakers and public servants. Its programs will help students understand how government works and give them the skills to make a real impact at local, state and national levels.
The interdisciplinary curriculum will equip students with the knowledge and skills to participate effectively in civic life and government, with a strong understanding of the foundational principles that shape American institutions, the Constitution, laws, and public discourse. Students will also gain practical experience through internships, policy labs, and community projects with public agencies, nonprofits, and businesses, ensuring they graduate ready to tackle complex problems with creative, real-world solutions.
Approved by the UA System Board of Trustees in November 2025, the School will offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fields of public policy and leadership starting fall 2027.
The deadline for best consideration for the position is March 27. The inaugural dean is expected to be announced this summer.
A full description of the position and information on how to apply is available online.
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides a forward-thinking environment and over 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus. A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.
Contact
Alex House, UA Strategic Communications, alex.house@ua.edu