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Office of the President

UAB's Bold Vision

When Dr. Joseph Volker became UAB’s first president 50 years ago, in 1969, he had a bold vision for our future that some people at the time considered extremely unlikely, wild, and even crazy. But those reactions did not deter him. Instead, Dr. Volker was powered by the will to grow our fledgling university into an internationally renowned leader in education, research and scholarship, and patient care.

Over the years, countless students, alumni, employees, and community supporters have shared that belief that we can build a brighter future for Birmingham, Alabama, and the world. Their efforts laid the foundation for five decades of growth and success far beyond what anyone could have imagined.

Breakthroughs made at UAB have had a global impact. To name just a few examples, we have pioneered game-changing treatments for cancer, diabetes, HIV, cystic fibrosis, and many other diseases. We engineered the fiber-optic endoscope, four-handed dentistry, and materials for lighter, stronger military gear. Locations in Antarctica—and on Mars—bear the names of UAB researchers to honor their contributions to marine biology and physics. Using satellite imaging, we have revealed thousands of buried pyramids in Egypt and ancient settlements around the world. And we have pioneered software and partnered with the FBI to catch cybercriminals.

As extraordinary as our past is, however, our future is even more promising. We have become one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse, and sustainable campuses. Here you will discover students and faculty redefining treatment through precision medicine, bridging gaps in education and health care, launching high-tech start-ups to boost our economy, and pursuing innovations in the arts, engineering, science, and many other fields.

Once again, we share a bold vision—and the willpower to bring it to life. I invite you to join us as we begin UAB’s next 50 years.

Key Initiatives

Roadmap to 1 Billion in Research ExpendituresResearch Strategic Initiative

We are working collaboratively to establish a road map to reach $1 billion in total research expenditures.

Icon of piece of paper and pen.Strategic Plan

We are Forging the Future to define goals and strategies that will guide our progress.

Icon of a bag of money. Empower UAB: The Strategic Investment Fund

The Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) backs large, cross-campus projects that align with the university's strategic plan, Forging Ahead.

Icon of a handshake.The SUCCESS Initiative

We are pursuing effective strategies to recruit and retain top students.

Icon of a building.Campus Master Plan

We envision a campus that supports learning, patient care, research, economic development, and the community.

Icon of a handshake.Community Engagement

We’re in Birmingham. We’re for Birmingham. We’re committed to supporting our community.

Icon of two speech bubbles.Campus Engagement Survey

With input from our faculty and staff, we are making UAB better every day.

Icon of the state of alabama covered by a heart shape with an ekg line. Grand Challenge

We’re harnessing science, technology, policy, and innovation to improve Alabama’s health.

Points of Pride

  • Ranked among the top 6% of Global Universities by S. News & World Report.
    UAB has climbed by four percentage points over four years in these global rankings, which are based on defined data such as research publications and citations.

  • Record 25 graduate programs in the nation’s top 25 per S. News & World Report.
    This includes 10 programs in the top 10, including the nation’s no. 1 Master’s in Health Administration (MSHA) since 2019. Additionally, Forbes magazine ranks UAB’s Master’s in Computer Science No. 3 nationally and Master’s in Cyber Security no. 10.

  • $780 million in annual research expenditures.
    Among public universities, UAB ranks 22nd (top 5%) in federal R&D expenditures and 13th (top 4%) in funding from the National Institutes of Health.

  • Home to the 8th largest hospital in the U.S.
    UAB is also home to the state’s only Level 1 Adult Trauma Center and the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Alabama and a four-state region.

  • Alabama’s largest single employer (35,000+ employees) with a statewide economic impact exceeding $12 billionannually.
    UAB generates over $370 million in local and state revenues annually and supports one of every 20 jobs in Alabama. For every dollar invested by the state, UAB returns $39.95.

  • Ranked America’s No. 1 Best Large Employer by Forbes Magazine (2021).
    UAB topped the list of more than 500 public and private corporations, hospitals, universities, and Fortune 500 companies across dozens of industries.