Bradley Barnes, Ph.D., has been named vice provost for Enrollment Management at the University of Alabama at Birmingham following a national search guided by a 15-member committee made up of students, faculty and staff, and chaired by UAB College of Arts and Sciences Dean Robert Palazzo, Ph.D.
“The search committee worked diligently to identify an impressive candidate pool, and we are very pleased that Dr. Barnes was selected to lead Enrollment Management,” Palazzo said. “He brings strong executive skills, a long list of impressive accomplishments, and significant experience with strategic approaches that will help convince future students of the extraordinary opportunities that a UAB education offers.”
As vice provost, Barnes will provide executive leadership and coordinate a comprehensive enrollment management unit to develop strategies focused on student recruitment, admissions, retention and persistence to graduation. Working collaboratively to meet institutional goals and align resources with campus priorities, Barnes will provide leadership and direction to the Division of Enrollment Management, which consists of Undergraduate Admissions, University Registrar, International Recruitment and Student Services, Student Financial Assistance, New Student Programs, Enrollment Operations, and Retention Initiatives.
As a finalist for the vice provost role, Barnes visited campus to interview and meet with students, faculty and staff.
“I wholeheartedly believe in what UAB is working to accomplish and continue to be tremendously impressed with this great institution,” Barnes said. “I am excited to have this opportunity to be part of UAB’s continued rise and transformation, and I look forward to leading Enrollment Management to ensure that UAB is increasingly viewed as the destination of choice for the nation’s best and brightest students at home and abroad.”
| As vice provost, Barnes will provide executive leadership and coordinate a comprehensive enrollment management unit to develop strategies focused on student recruitment, admissions, retention and persistence to graduation. |
Barnes earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Alabama, where he has served in Undergraduate Admissions and Enrollment Management since 2004. As director of Undergraduate Admissions, Barnes developed and managed undergraduate admissions policy, and he has been responsible for in-state and specialized recruitment, undergraduate scholarships, application evaluations, and international admissions. Barnes maintains professional organization memberships including AACRAO, SACRAO and ALACRAO, and he has been published in The Journal of College Admission, The Journal of Student Financial Aid, College & University, and The SACRAO Journal.
“I would like to thank Dean Palazzo for his leadership on the search committee and recognize its members for graciously giving their time to a very successful effort,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts. “Dr. Barnes’ experience and passion will serve UAB well in a position that is vital in supporting every pillar of our mission.”
In 2014, UAB — which attracts the best and brightest students from Alabama, the nation and more than 100 countries around the world — had its sixth year of record overall enrollment, with a student population exceeding 18,000.
“This is an exciting time for UAB as we prepare to open a new residence hall and student center, and continue to expand opportunities for our students across campus and beyond in our expanding academic, research, health care, community service and economic development programs,” said Provost Linda Lucas, to whom Barnes will report in his new role. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Barnes to the UAB family.”
Barnes’ first day at UAB will be July 15.