UA Launches Search for Inaugural Dean of School of Leadership and Policy

The new school is expected to begin offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in public policy and leadership in fall 2027.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 6:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The University of Alabama has officially launched a national search for the inaugural dean of its newly established School of Leadership and Policy. The dean will be tasked with shaping the school's vision and mission, developing its organizational structure, and recruiting faculty and staff.

Why it matters

The new School of Leadership and Policy aims to prepare future leaders, policymakers, and public servants through an interdisciplinary curriculum focused on how government works and the foundational principles that shape American institutions. The dean will play a crucial role in establishing the school and its programs.

The details

The dean will oversee planning, curriculum development, research initiatives, and budget decisions, while also serving as a liaison to campus leaders and external partners. Students will have opportunities to participate in internships, policy labs, and community-based projects with public agencies, nonprofits, and private-sector partners.

  • UA System Board of Trustees approved the school in November 2025.
  • The school is scheduled to begin offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in public policy and leadership in fall 2027.
  • The deadline for best consideration for the dean position is March 27, 2026.
  • UA expects to announce the first dean this summer.

The players

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 chairing the search committee.

Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr.

A longtime UA benefactor who made a $500,000 gift to establish the first endowment for UA's new School of Leadership and Policy.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.