Stephen P. Abernathy

This State of the University Address highlights the University of Alabama at Birmingham's record-breaking year in 2016, showcasing unprecedented growth in enrollment, research funding, and patient care. Key strategic areas discussed include a campus master plan with new facilities, innovative academic programs, enhanced student retention, and significant economic impact. The address also emphasizes sustainability initiatives, campus infrastructure improvements, and fostering a positive work and study environment, all guided by a strategic plan set to direct growth over the next five years through shared governance and investment in people and programs.

The address highlighted the strong working relationship between the faculty senate and university administration, emphasizing progress in excellence, innovation, and collective success. Key discussion points included advancing transformative research initiatives, efforts to increase student enrollment, and participation in senior leadership selection. The Faculty Senate leadership maintains regular communication with the President and Provost. The President detailed record-breaking strides in research expenditures, reaching $866 million. Significant focus was placed on student success initiatives, including adapted enrollment strategies, expanded access to world-class care and community wellness improvements, and increasing scholarship funds to $54.5 million. Further initiatives detailed improvements in student support, retention goals (aiming for 83%), and highlighting academic and athletic achievements, such as the men's basketball team's performance and student athletes' high GPA and community service hours. Financial stewardship was emphasized, leading to the decision to submit a revised budget proposal to allow for a 3% merit pool effective January 1. The challenges in the federal research funding environment, including potential cuts from NIH and OMB, were discussed, alongside advocacy efforts in Washington to secure funding levels.

This document provides the 2022 Annual Review of Public Health Practice for the UAB School of Public Health, covering the academic year 2020-2021. It details the school's mission to support applied and interdisciplinary public health practice through research, teaching, and service. The review focuses on strategic plan metrics across three objectives: enhancing student practice and service experiences, promoting faculty community engagement, and strengthening academic-community partnerships. Key areas of focus include practice-based learning, workforce development, and communication initiatives.

The strategic plan for UAB Libraries outlines a comprehensive roadmap focused on several key areas. It aims to support and enrich UAB's educational goals, accelerate research, innovation, and economic development, and foster active community engagement. The plan also prioritizes providing high-quality patient-centered care through library services and resources. Underlying these objectives are foundational commitments to financial sustainability, promoting diversity and inclusion, and practicing environmental stewardship.

The strategic plan, "Forging the Future," emphasizes UAB's commitment to teaching, research, and service. It focuses on addressing complex societal problems through the UAB Grand Challenge, exemplified by the Live HealthSmart Alabama initiative. The plan aims to improve the health of all Alabamians, aspiring to elevate the state out of the bottom 10 in national health rankings by 2030.