Message from Dr. John R. Jones, III
Dear Blazers,
UAB welcomed 20,905 students this year. And while that number is impressive, it's what lies beneath that truly matters. Each of those students arrived with a vision for their future: to heal, to build, to teach, to lead, to discover. Some brought confidence to UAB, others a quiet hope. They all brought dreams.
Dreams need more than ambition though. They need support, opportunity, connection, and care. That's where the Division of Student Affairs comes in, building spaces and communities where WhatIf? becomes What's Next?
The Division of Student Affairs starts every year with a vision to support every Blazer's future. This year, our team collaborated to:
- Provide over 30,000 student health and counseling appointments
- Certify $14.5 million in education benefits for student veterans
- Facilitate 12,000 student service hours
- Serve over 275,000 meals to the UAB community
- Coordinate over 450 student organizations
- Support 580 student employees and staff within Student Affairs offices
But numbers only tell a small part of the story.
They don't tell you about Yonica, a firstgeneration student whose servicelearning experience inspired her to change majors. Or Demarcus, a student veteran who persevered through incredible health and personal challenges. Or Elise, who transferred to UAB and found a community where she could grow into a campus leader.
The numbers matter, but our work is defined by people, and we are honored to support their stories in all that we do. The students and Student Affairs staff highlighted in the following pages are why tomorrow looks brighter than we dared imagine.
Behind every number is a name. Behind every name is a dream. Behind every dream is a story worth telling.
Blazers make the world better, and Student Affairs works every day to make UAB better for each Blazer—by minimizing barriers, advancing learning, fostering community, developing leaders, and creating an environment in which everyone can thrive.
Behind every statistic is a student. Behind every student is a dream. And helping students grow into those dreams is the most important work we do.
With gratitude and pride,
John R. Jones, III
Vice President
UAB Student Affairs
Student Affairs: From "What If?" to "What's Next?"
When most people think about a university, they imagine lecture halls, textbooks, and exams. But student success includes far more than the formal curriculum. Success is shaped by the relationships students form, the communities they belong to, and the care they receive when life gets difficult.
Student Affairs meets students where they are, cultivating a community of care that connects them to resources and opportunities. Together — with students and with campus and community partners — we co-create learning experiences that complement classroom instruction and encourage deep engagement. Through such opportunities, students step into leadership roles that strengthen individual, community, environmental, and financial sustainability — both now and in the future.
And underpinning this vital work is a division-wide commitment to minimizing barriers, creating a clear pathway to access and success for every Blazer.
An individual student's journey is much more than a degree plan; it is a path of growth and resilience, supported by people who recognize each student as a whole individual with dreams, fears, challenges, and triumphs. Those committed to the vital work of Student Affairs know that when students are fully empowered to live, learn, work, and play, the impact is transformative — for them, for UAB, and for the world they step into as they Forge Ahead.
Those committed to the vital work of Student Affairs know that when students are fully empowered to live, learn, work, and play, the impact is transformative - for them, for UAB, and for the world they step into as they Forge Ahead.
Division of Student Affairs Strategic Priorities
Fostering a Caring Community
WELCOMING ENVIRONMENTS
Welcoming environments are more than physical spaces-they're places where students feel seen, valued, and included. From collaboration and lounge areas, to indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, Student Affairs shapes environments that spark connection and nurture a sense of belonging within the campus community.
New Student Assembly Building Lays Foundation for Student Growth
On Sept. 20, 2024, UAB celebrated the grand opening of the Student Assembly Building (SAB) - a centralized home for all Student Organizations.
Three students looking at pictures in the SAB during the facility's grand opening.
UAB President Ray L. Watts
- 12,790 square feet and 8 multi-purpose rooms
- 3,943 building hours reserved
- 829 events with over 23,500 students
Hill Student Center Encourages Connection
Affectionately known as “The Hill,” UAB's Hill Student Center is a primary hub of campus connection.
The Off-Campus Student Lounge is a home away from home for UAB’s commuter students, featuring sofas, a television, device charging, and a coffee and snack station in addition to off-campus living resources and VMASC tutoring.
The Hill's 6,722 square foot multipurpose Ballroom is the largest private gathering space on campus and is reserved by departments across the university for student events, award ceremonies, presentations, and banquets.
Across its indoor and outdoor spaces, University Recreation encourages students to stay active, build confidence, connect with others, and engage in a vibrant campus community.
- Active: Personal training, swimming lessons, and the rock climbing wall's Golden Route offer accessible entry points for those beginning a new fitness journey.
- Confident: A variety of cardio and weight machines, sport courts, specialized equipment, and knowledgeable staff empower students to increase their physical strength and mental resilience.
- Connected: Dedicated Spaces for stretching, recharging, and socializing create a welcoming environment for both activity and relaxation.
- Engaged: Group fitness classes, intramural, and club sports facilitate community building through shared goals, teamwork, and friendly competition.
Student Housing and Residence Life - Room to Thrive
UAB's six residence halls-Blazer, Blount, Camp, Gold, McMahon, and Rast-were home to more than 3,000 students each semester, providing welcoming spaces where they connect, engage, and thrive.
SHARED EXPERIENCES
Shared experiences give students opportunities to engage with others, strengthen bonds, and grow together. Student Affairs fosters these moments of connection, helping every student find-or-build-their Blazer community.
