Curtis A. Carver Jr., Ph.D.
Dr. Carver, who was named vice president for information technology and chief information officer in June 2015, has challenged his team at UAB to be agents of innovation who help empower the work at UAB through robust infrastructure, enhanced security and world-class customer service and solutions.
During Dr. Carver’s tenure, UAB has invested in its research computing infrastructure, building the state’s fastest supercomputer, which has helped generate more than $300 million in grants. UAB has also strengthened its security operations to reduce risk; built the fastest network among state higher education institutions; and introduced services and solutions to help streamline processes and improve academic success. During the COVID pandemic, Dr. Carver’s team transformed classroom technology to accommodate hybrid classes; developed a statewide exposure notification app with a patent-pending verification method; and helped narrow the digital divide by offering free WiFi to campus and area students and loaner laptops to students in need.
In all, the UAB IT team has achieved more than 800 technology wins since 2015.
A senior leader in higher education information technology, Dr. Carver came to UAB from his position as vice chancellor and chief information officer for the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, having previously held key leadership positions at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Dr. Carver earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and his master’s degree and doctorate in computer science from Texas A&M University. Throughout his career, he has received numerous national and international honors and awards for military, teaching, and research excellence, including the Alabama CIO Leadership Award, Georgia CIO of the Year, Information Week’s Elite 100 ranking, and the National State CIO Association’s Enterprise IT Management award. During his tenure at UAB, the University earned the CIO 100 Award for its innovative work during the COVID pandemic. Dr. Carver is a frequent keynote speaker and has published extensively.
"In ten years, we will not only catch up with the rest of the world in terms of best in breed performance, but we will pass them so that we are creating best-in-class practices and are engaged in the national conversation on how information technology can transform higher education. We enable world-class performance at UAB and in the Birmingham community."
In Dr. Carver's own words: "My vision for UAB IT is a world-class IT organization that effectively balances cost efficiency, agility, and innovation. We are an organization that values its employees as our most precious resource, and thus we create an environment that thrives at a pace of sustainable innovation over the long term. Our relationships with our customers, business partners, and vendors are long-term relationships that allow us to move at the speed of trust. This vision does not depend on one person but instead on a dedicated team where everyone is an agent of innovation and aligned to support the University of Alabama at Birmingham."
To request Dr. Carver to speak at your event, please email