Nelson Named Vice President for Student Affairs and Vice Provost at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Dr. Mark D. Nelson, a leading faculty member and administrator at The University of Alabama, has been named vice president for student affairs and vice provost at UA.

Nelson has served as interim vice president for student affairs and vice provost for the past year and as assistant provost for academic affairs for the past two years.

“Dr. Nelson has done an outstanding job of bringing the Divisions of Student Affairs and Academic Affairs together to serve our students even more effectively,” said Dr. Judy Bonner, UA executive vice president and provost. “I look forward to working with him in addressing students’ needs during this time of momentous growth at the University.”

As interim vice president for student affairs, Nelson has been responsible for providing leadership to administer a comprehensive range of services for students and to create a climate that promotes academic achievement and personal development of all students. He has been responsible for supervision and support of the Office of the Dean of Students, Career Center, Women’s Resource Center, Counseling Center, Student Media, University Recreation, Judicial Affairs, Ferguson Center and several other vital areas on campus.

As assistant provost for academic affairs, Nelson has worked to plan and improve a wide variety of undergraduate programs and initiatives. He has coordinated programs and services between the Office for Academic Affairs and other agencies on campus, including Admissions, Financial Aid, the Center for Teaching and Learning, Registrar’s Office and the various colleges across UA. He also has worked closely with faculty and staff on issues including enrollment management, academic integrity, retention and scholarships.

Nelson joined the University in 1991 as a faculty member in the communication studies department of the College of Communication and Information Sciences. He served as assistant dean and then associate dean for undergraduate studies in C&IS from 1996-2006. He also served as director of basic courses/coordinator of academic advising in the college from 1991-1996 to train and mentor graduate teaching assistants while teaching, recruiting and advising students in the communication studies area. Prior to joining UA, he was director of forensics at Murray State University.

Nelson’s area of expertise is in organizational communication and leadership development. He has co-authored two books and authored numerous papers for presentation at the National Communication Association. He has served on more than 50 University committees covering areas from academic performance to the honors curriculum.

Recognized as an outstanding professor, Nelson received the National Alumni Association’s Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award in 2006, the University’s highest honor for teaching excellence.

Nelson earned his master’s and doctoral degrees from UA and his bachelor’s degree from UAB.