STUDENT LIFE Impact Report
2024-2025
Message from
the Vice President
STEVEN HOOD, Ed.D.
This past year in Student Life has been one of energy, momentum, and meaningful progress in our commitment to maximizing student learning at the Capstone. By offering a growing portfolio of resources as well as experiences that foster community and learning beyond the classroom, our division continues to make a measurable impact so UA students can thrive and succeed.
Our largest-ever enrollment of 40,846 students proves they are drawn to what we offer. And in Student Life, we remain focused on delivering high-impact support and opportunities to ensure each of these students has the tools they need to succeed.
In alignment with our strategic priorities, for the 2024-2025 academic year we concentrated our efforts across these four areas:
- Continued progress toward enhancing student mental health resources
- Further increasing our focus on sophomore engagement, development, and retention
- Strengthening the Leadership Development wave of the REAL Tide record for engagement
- Taking the next steps to prioritize wellness in our Greek-letter community
These annual goals served as a tactical guide for our work this year and align closely with our broader strategic vision. Across this report, you’ll find stories of students who embody the spirit of the Capstone and updates on how our departments are making strides in how they serve our student community. In addition, we’ll provide some brief updates of our progress toward these four goals over the year. While not exhaustive, these updates provide a window into the meaningful ways we’re advancing our mission.
It is my privilege to share with you our impact over the past year. I hope the stories and successes within these pages remind you of the vital work we do and the remarkable students we serve. Together, we continue to prepare the leaders of tomorrow – legends in the making – who will shape a brighter future for us all.
Roll Tide,
Student Life Leadership Team
Dr. Steven Hood
Vice President
Dr. Stacy Jones
Dean of Students /
Assistant Vice President
Dr. Ruperto “Toti” Perez
Associate Vice President for Student Health and Well-Being
Dr. Erika Mason-Imbody
Assistant Vice President for Student Life
Dr. Rosalind Moore-Miller
Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement
Dr. Adam Sterritt
Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives
Dr. Matthew Kerch
Executive Director of Housing and Residential Communities
Patricia “Tut” Wilson
Executive Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life
What is Student Life?
The Division of Student Life is comprised of over 20 departments who are dedicated to helping students become transformed and engaged learners — this is our crowning achievement and highest goal. In order for students to achieve their highest learning potential, we know they must have access to resources and support as well as experience a sense of community and belonging. Our departments maximize student learning by providing these foundational elements as well as unique opportunities for beyond-the-classroom learning.
Mission
The Division of Student Life empowers and supports students in maximizing their UA learning experience.
Strategic Priorities
Student Learning
and Development
We are committed to providing exceptional learning and development opportunities that prepare students for successful careers and lifelong learning by fostering a culture of intellectual curiosity and discovery and providing innovative, experiential learning opportunities.
Student Safety
and Wellness Resources
We are committed to providing comprehensive services and support that prioritize student safety and whole-person wellness to address the unique needs of all our students, ensuring they have access to resources that enhance their overall well-being.
Outstanding Staff Support
We are committed to recruiting and supporting outstanding staff by attracting and retaining top talent, providing opportunities for professional growth and development and fostering a workplace culture that values and supports all staff members.
Efficient and Effective
Resource Stewardship
We are committed to stewarding resources and facilities efficiently and effectively by optimizing campus partnerships and aligning resource utilization with our strategic priorities, while still providing high-quality services to students and strengthening financial sustainability and operational efficiency.
Departments
Blackburn Institute
Camellia Center
Career Center
Center for Service and Leadership
Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services
Counseling Center
Dean of Students
Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
Health Promotion & Wellness
Housing and Residential Communities
Parent & Family Programs
Student Care & Well-Being
Student Conduct
Student Governance
Student Involvement
Student Media
UA Student Center
University Programs
University Recreation
Veteran & Military Affairs
Office of the Vice President
Assessment and Planning
Business Services
Communications and External Engagement
Professional Development
Student Life Divisional Award Winners
Michelle Crouse
Emerging Professional Award
Career Center
Monique Horton
Harry J. Knopke Award for Meritorious Service
University Programs
Chris Adams
John L. "Jack" Baier Award for Meritorious Service
University Recreation
Samantha Colantonio
Mission Excellence Award
UA Student Center
Molly Lawrence Award for Internal Collaboration
Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
Kim McIntyre
Sybil R. Todd Award for Excellence in Partnerships
Office of Information Technology
Isaiah Charles Outstanding Undergraduate Student
University Recreation
Casey Anderson
Outstanding Student Volunteer
Health Promotion & Wellness
Joshua Brown
Outstanding Graduate Student
Professional Development
Exemplo Capstone Awards
Honoring Individual students, student organizations and full-time staff members who "serve compassionately, engage masterfully and live boldly.
2024-2025 Student Life External Award Recipients
Theta Tau Award for Interfraternal Service - Brittany Jordan, Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
C.A.R.E.S (Commitment to Autism Research, Education, and Service) Award, Alabama Autism Conference - Luna McDavid, Career Center
Outstanding Fraternity & Sorority Advisor, Alpha Phi - Abby McNeal, Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
2024-2025 Conference Presentations by Student Life Staff
2024-2025 STUDENT LIFE EXTERNAL SERVICE
- Paige Barranco, University Recreation
Alabama Representative, NIRSA (Leaders in College Recreation) - Dana Bekurs, Parent & Family Programs
- National Standing Committee Chair and 2025 Collegiate
- Leadership Conference Facilitator, Delta Delta Delta - Kerrigan Clark, Camellia Center
Communications Coordinator, NASPA Alabama - Cassidy Davis, Parent & Family Programs
- Region IV Conference Planning Committee and Undergraduate Experience Group,
- National Orientation Directors Association Conference (NODAC) - Kathleen Duffy, Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
- National Member Development Director, Alpha Xi Delta
- Recruitment Committee Leadership Team, National Panhellenic Conference - Dr. Tre’ Finklea, Parent & Family Programs
Conference Chair, NASPA Alabama - Darrell Hargreaves, University Recreation
- Wheelchair Basketball Referee, 2024 Paralympics (Men’s bronze medal game)
- Supervisor of Referee Training, International Wheelchair Basketball Federation
- State Finals Basketball Referee, Alabama High School Athletic Association - Jessie Jones, Student Media
President-Elect, Association of University Student Media Managers - Morgan Keel, University Recreation
Co-Vice President for Communications, Public Relations Council of West Alabama - Abby McNeal, Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
- Panhellenic Committee Chair and Recruitment Ambassador, Alpha Omicron Pi
- Area Advisor, National Panhellenic Conference - Dr. Jackie Northrup, Camellia Center
- President Emeritus, Alabama Board, American Association of University Women
- Board Member, League of Women Voters of Greater Tuscaloosa - Dr. Ruperto Perez, Associate Vice President for Health and Well-Being
- APA/Society of Counseling Psychology Liaison to the Higher Education Mental Health Alliance
- Past-President, American Board of Counseling Psychology - Shae Robinson, Assessment and Planning
Institute Faculty Member, ACPA’s Student Affairs Assessment Institute - Julie Salter, Student Media
President, College Media Business & Advertising Managers - Dr. Elle Shaaban-Magaña, Camellia Center
- Title IX Chair, Alabama Board, American Association of University Women
- Board Member & President/Spokesperson Elect, League of Women Voters of Greater Tuscaloosa - Tut Wilson, Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
Board of Directors Member, Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) Foundation - Doris Vaughans, Counseling Center
Executive Council, Alabama Counseling Association - Dr. Greg Vander Wal, Counseling Center
Chair, Wellness Committee, Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology - Zoe Yohe, Counseling Center
Awards Committee Member, American Counseling Association
Student Life Leadership Council: Valued Partners
The Student Life Leadership Council (SLLC) serves as the primary external advisory board for the Division of Student Life. Composed of alumni and friends of the University, SLLC members offer diverse professional expertise, philanthropic support, and a shared commitment to enhancing the student experience at the Capstone. Their insight, generosity, and mentorship help shape the future of Student Life.
MISSION
SLLC’s mission is to partner with the Division of Student Life in maximizing student learning and success. Members contribute through:
Strategic advice and professional insight
Financial support for Student Life initiatives
Expansion of UA’s network for student career and mentorship opportunities
Council Meetings and Committees
SLLC members join us on campus twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. They hear campus and divisional updates and collaborate with each other and Student Life leaders to share insights and learn of opportunities for involvement and support.
SLLC’s three committees:
Membership Committee
Career Development Committee
Mentorship Committee Newly launched this year!
Each of these committees serves the division in various ways by partnering with Student Life staff and units related to the committee’s topic of engagement.
2024-2025 SLLC Membership
Lenore and Don Anderson, Lillian Brand, Kay Cioffi, Ryan Coleman, Pat Collier, Josh Cummings, Ross D’Entremont, Natalie Gaines, Misti and Eric Hopper, Demarcus Joiner, Synthia and Greg Jones, Andy Kattos, Elena Leonard, Mary Lieb, Grace Ann and Sam Maughan, Price McGiffert, Charlotte Milner, Warner Moore, Starla and Ajay Pathak, Tom Rodgers, Cathy and Ed Rudisill, Ann and Lenn Ryals, Nancy Siniard, Charlie Steinmetz, Tricia and Brian Thomas, R.B. Walker, Myles Ward, Mandy Wyatt
Partnership Opportunity: Tide 2
This year, SLLC selected Tide 2 (see Goals - Pt. 2) as their partnership opportunity for the year, allocating their annual membership financial contributions to support the second-year student success initiative. This support provided many programming needs for Tide 2, including cohort kickoff events, apparel, session and program materials, community events, and the end-of-year ceremony.
The mentorship committee also served as mentors for 11 Tide 2 students, offering insights and experience from a post-college perspective.
Transformative Philanthropy
In addition to their annual membership contributions, these valued partners have provided
significant philanthropic support that echoes across the Capstone.
Beyond their membership dues, in 2024-2025, SLLC members gave: $113,898 across Student Life and an additional $355,423 in other areas of campus
Their generosity drives impactful enhancements to the student learning
experience that will last for generations to come.
Major Gift Partners 2024-2025
We are deeply grateful for the continued generosity of our Student Life donors. Over the past year, we’ve seen remarkable investments that are enhancing learning experiences for our students.
While this list is not exhaustive, we’re proud to spotlight a few of the major gifts and partnerships from the last year that have made a significant impact – from collaborative giving initiatives to individual contributions that are helping us ensure UA students always have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive and succeed.
Alpha Gamma Delta – BamaCares Food Pantry Support
Working with their advisor, Lissa Tyson, the 2024 Executive Council of the Psi Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta gifted $75,000 to name the Bama Cares Food Pantry and Residential Closet space in the Student Center. The funds will provide endowed support for the pantry, adding to the many ways the sorority addresses their national philanthropic priority of food insecurity.
Chambliss Family Gift – Student Well-Being Hub and Counseling Center Support
Construction is underway for the new Student Well-Being Hub. State-of-the-art facilities will house the Counseling Center, Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services, the Camellia Center, and Health Promotion & Wellness. Naming opportunities are available within the building, and all funds raised through these opportunities will provide vital endowment support. An inaugural gift of $500,000 from Gerrie and Joe Chambliss will name a prominent lobby space in the Counseling Center. Along with their contributions in Student Life, the Chambliss family‘s philanthropic engagement generously encompasses academics and athletics, providing an “all in” investment in the UA student experience.
Dr. Ross D’Entremont
Four-time UA graduate and Student Life Leadership Council member, Dr. Ross D’Entremont established the Gerry D’Entremont Memorial Award to support Mortar Board’s Outstanding Junior, an accolade given each Honors Day at the Tapping on the Mound and one that Ross received in 2018. He is endowing the fund to honor the memory of his beloved grandmother for generations to come.
Riddle Family Gift – Sullivan Premier Award Scholarship Support
UA alumni and Student Life Campaign Committee members Elizabeth and Zac Riddle have stepped forward as the lead donors to endow a scholarship supporting recipients of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. Zac, a 2004 recipient of the Sullivan Premier Award, leveraged additional support for the award fund by calling on 1972 Sullivan Premier Award recipient, Margaret Lee Watson (who also happens to be Elizabeth’s mother).
Ed and Cathy Rudisill Endowed Veteran & Military Affairs Support Fund
After learning about Operation Iron Ruck, an annual event with UA’s Student Veterans Association and Auburn Student Veterans Association promoting veteran suicide awareness, Cathy, a retired nurse, and Ed, a retired surgeon, sought ways to support UA’s student veterans. Ultimately, they created the Ed and Cathy Rudisill Endowed Veteran & Military Affairs Support Fund. The Rudisills are also long-time and valued members of the Student Life Leadership Council (see SLLC).
SGA Leading Legends Campaign
In the fall, SGA alumni gathered for a reunion and celebrated the announcement of a $1 million Leading Legends campaign to build a robust endowed support fund. The effort aims to enhance resources in four areas: engagement and feedback to help student leadership make informed decisions; promotion and communication to foster a more informed and engaged student body; programming to support new student-led initiatives; and financial support for students involved in SGA.
Strength in Recovery – Fundraising Event
This spring, Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services partnered with Terry and Nick Saban’s Nick’s Kids Foundation to sponsor a student event, Strength in Recovery: Scott Cochran’s Journey, as well as a private fundraising reception and dinner featuring Coach Cochran as the keynote speaker. The evening event raised over $20,000 in scholarship support for the Ray and Kathy Hayes Family Endowed Support Fund and the Martin J. Stovall Promises Endowed Scholarship.
Blackburn Institute
The Blackburn Institute develops a network of diverse leaders who understand the challenges facing the state of Alabama and the nation and who are committed to serving as agents of positive change. Their overarching values include diversity of opinion, call to action, intergenerational networking and lifetime commitment.
30
years of the Blackburn Institute marked with an anniversary gala celebration, where we honored standout students and alumni (including the inaugural recipient of the Jason Goggins Scholarship) and inducted former U.S. Senator Doug Jones into the Blackburn Society
728
STUDENTS PROVIDED WITH LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
- Anchor Tuscaloosa (College Student Retention Initiative) – 4 students involved, serving 40 college students from UA, Stillman College and Shelton State Community College
- Literacy, Juvenile Delinquency, and Book Access – 18 students involved, serving 10 students at the Tuscaloosa Juvenile Detention Center
- Exercise Equipment for Rural Communities – 5 students involved, serving senior citizens in Vance, AL
- Hygiene Support Initiative – 4 students involved, preparing 250 hygiene kits for Tuscaloosa City Schools
- Hosted 450+ students, faculty, staff and alumni at Annual Symposium, featuring U.S. Senator Katie Britt (2001 Blackburn Fellow) and 6-time NCAA Gymnastics Champion, Coach Sarah Patterson
- Took 54 students on the Burt Jones Rural Travel Experience where they interacted with civic leaders and learned about local cultural context in various small towns in Clay, Cleburne, Chambers and Randolph Counties
- Traveled with 12 students on the Washington, D.C. Government Experience where they interacted with elected officials, government agencies, and other policy influencers in presentations and panels
- Funded a Blackburn student who hosted 15 rural high school seniors for a workshop in DeKalb County, providing them with tools to enhance their scholarship applications to four-year universities (students self-reported growth in confidence for understanding various scholarship types, writing a strong scholarship essay, and formatting an effective resume)
- Took 29 returning students to Birmingham on the Urban Travel Experience where they met with local leaders to learn about their experiences in education, local government, non-profits and philanthropy
Camila Lopez
"Seeing how many people were so inspiring within my community and seeing that kind of love that thrived in Alabama, I really wanted to have an opportunity to do that and give back to my community in the future,” she said. “Being an advocate for the people of the state of Alabama is something that is personally tied to me."
Camellia Center
Formerly known as the Women and Gender Resource Center (WGRC)
The Camellia Center provides confidential counseling and advocacy for those affected by interpersonal violence and promotes a campus culture of well-being through leadership development, outreach, and educational programming.
100%
of clinical clients reported receiving appropriate care for their safety and crisis needs, helpful written materials, and increased connectedness through support groups
28
center Ambassadors provided 45
student-led presentations to the campus community on a variety of topics related to interpersonal violence
- Partnered with Housing and Residential Communities and the Department of Gender and Race Studies to support 22 students with monthly programming for the Delta Initiative academic support program to build a sense of belonging, vocational exploration and community service for student participants in STEM fields
- Trained 26 UA students who provided weekly mentorship to 35 students from a local elementary school through the Legendary Leaders Mentoring Program
- Supervised and provided developmental opportunities, experiential learning and career preparedness for 10 interns from 6 academic programs completing 2,002 service-learning hours
- 75 Greek Safe members (representing 15 APA, 1 NPHC and 2 UGC chapters) served as allies and a resource on interpersonal violence topics for their Greek-letter chapter organizations
- Offered 15 programs reaching 1,151 campus community members to generate education aligned with nationally recognized health and well-being awareness campaigns (including dating and domestic violence, body appreciation, breast cancer and sexual assault)
- Reached 311 participants in 13 events and student experiential service-learning opportunities as part of our Thrive Together: Campus Wellness Action Series, focused on holistic well-being domains of the Alabama Model
Rylie Voyles
"I saw that they were able to make a difference directly here on campus, which is not always something that is super easy to do…. I knew friends of mine that had used the services at the [Camellia Center], the free counseling, and how that positively impacted their lives. So I wanted to be a part of something that impacted students that were just like me and then [be] able to see the change that we’re making..."
Career Center
The Career Center partners with students and alumni across all UA colleges to help them explore possibilities, develop skills and connect to opportunities for professional success. They offer four convenient locations - the main office at The University of Alabama Student Center and three satellite offices at Culverhouse College of Business, the College of Communication & Information Sciences and the College of Engineering.
8,832
student check-ins to interact with 321 employers at career fairs, with 495 day-after interviews
UA’s Career Center engaged twice as many students as the SEC average, according to data from Handshake
4,659
students consulted at 7,218 appointments
- 809 events hosted with 19,803 student
check-ins (networking events, mixers, information sessions, workshops, classroom presentations, and more) - Winner of Handshake Career Spark Award 2024 – 1 of only 9 institutions to receive this award two years in a row, with 72% of the class of 2024 engaging with their career through Handshake
- 94% positive outcomes reported (employed, military service or continuing education) in First Destination Survey from May 2024 graduates
- Hosted 1,394 co-op interviews with 248 total offers and 148 acceptances (average hourly salary for co-op students is $22.86), including a first-ever on-campus co-op placement through collaboration with campus partners
- Provided 1,324 free headshot sessions to students through Iris headshot photo booth
- Provided 880 sets of professional clothing to students through the Denise and Chandler Root Crimson Career Closet
- Utilized VMock, a 24/7 virtual service, to review 9,277 resumes and Handshake to review and approve 8,836 documents for students
- 25 students connected with 11 Mobile-based employers during Showcase Mobile, including Airbus, Austal USA, Evonik, and Daher Aerospace
- Hosted 11 industry-specific mixers and coordinated employer engagement trips to New York, D.C., Atlanta, and the National Retail Federation Conference (New York) and the Grace Hopper Conference (Philadelphia)
Mishay Long
"Always say yes and try, because if you don’t try, you’ll never find out what kind of impact you could have had…I think that if you keep pushing forward and keep putting your best effort in that, the right thing and the right organization and the right community will always say yes to you if you’re giving your best..."
Center for Service and Leadership
The Center for Service and Leadership enhances the student experience through active and diverse engagement opportunities in the community. These meaningful and experiential learning opportunities provide students the ability to enhance their leadership skills while becoming active, global citizens.
4,168
students served a grand total of 127,556 hours with an economic impact of $4.4 million for community partners
$223,725
raised for Children’s of Alabama with 452 students in attendance through UA Miracle
- Provided 278 students with leadership experiences on student-led action teams: Al’s Pals Mentorship Program, Beat Auburn Beat Hunger, Big Days of Service, UA Habitat for Humanity, Serving Bama, UA Miracle, and Communications and Outreach
- Trained and placed 1,245 UA students in 5 local elementary schools to serve over 20,054 hours through Al’s Pals
- Raised and donated 431,120 pounds of food through the Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive to benefit the West Alabama Food Bank (enough to deliver 359,269 meals to families experiencing food insecurity)
- Organized the SEC Food Fight at UA, leading to student donations of 438 meal swipes for peers in need, along with $5,677 and 3,997 canned goods to benefit the Bama Cares Food Pantry
- Hosted Big Days of Service where UA students served 3,320 hours at 13 sites for an economic impact of $127,283 in West Alabama
- 58 students served 23 times to build 8 homes to offer hope and shelter to families in need through UA Habitat for Humanity
- Coordinated service opportunities in West Alabama where 244 students served 1,548 hours with an economic impact of $53,866 through Serving Bama
- Relaunched Beyond Bama Spring Break Trips, taking 8 students to Memphis, TN, and 13 students to Gulf Shores, AL, where they provided 319 hours of service at 8 sites in these communities
Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services
Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services (CRIS) empowers and supports student academic and personal success by providing a continuum of care for students with substance use and other impulse behavior concerns. This is achieved through services that emphasize unity, development, well-being, balance and recovery.
$20,000+
raised for students through private donor event featuring Scott Cochran (former Alabama football strength and conditioning coach) after a free event for students to hear his story of addiction and recovery
164
students provided with clinical services through 1,916 total appointments and 267 group sessions — a 9% increase in appointments compared to previous year
- 10 mandated student clients chose to stay on for voluntary services after completing their sanctions
- Of students that received clinical services…
- 85% reported improved academic performance
- 82% identified CRIS helped them improve their mental health and coping skills
The Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC):
100%
of students involved in the CRC report that CRIS significantly helped them persist in their education
Annual Goal Progress Update:
Mental Health
Goal: Continue Student Mental Health Enhancements
This year we have expanded mental health services through our embedded counselor initiative and increased our outreach to boost student engagement and awareness of resources. These efforts have led to more students served and more capacity to provide same-day crisis and emergency care to students in need. These changes have also helped us offer a steady 5-6-day wait time for new intake appointments, which is ideal for our students with demanding schedules.
6 embedded served in strategically selected locations across campus:
Culverhouse College of Business + Honors College + Housing and Residential Communities + College of Communication and Information Sciences + College of Engineering + College of Human and Environmental Sciences
Embedded Counselor Impact
- Served 300+ students with more than 1,300 clinical counseling appointments
- Engaged 6,548 students, faculty and staff through outreach
- Provided over 1,000 consultations in their respective areas
Compared to last year, the Counseling Center saw a:
12% increase in appointments
11% increase in students served
Looking Ahead
Construction is underway on our Student Well-Being Hub, which will house all of our well-being units (Camellia Center, Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services, Counseling Center, and Health Promotion & Wellness) in one space, conveniently located on the Bryce property near the Randall Welcome Center and Student Recreation Center. This will enhance the accessibility of these offices to our students and allow staff in these areas to collaborate together and serve students more effectively.
Student Care and Well-Being
- Provided a total of $98,478.98 to 131 students in need or crisis
- Sent 6,662 emails to offer support to students affected by hurricanes
- Reached 163 students impacted by wildfires
Annual Goal Progress Update: Greek-Letter Community Wellness
Goal: Prioritize Wellness in Greek-Letter Community
To prioritize wellness and safety in our Greek-Letter community, this year we implemented a comprehensive hazing prevention strategy, which has increased awareness, reporting, and student cooperation, while enhancing education and accountability for our chapters.
Launched 21-Point Hazing Prevention Plan across 7 focus areas:
Infrastructure and Safety
Chapter Advisors/Staff Expectations
Chapter House Operations
Community Standards
Education and Awareness
Accountability and Sanctioning
External Peer Support
Collaborated with campus partners in the UA Police Department and Environmental Health and Safety for emergency management training provided to chapter leadership
- 99% completion rate for required hazing prevention module in Greek-letter organizations
- 3,000 IFC members attended hazing prevention speaker event
- 1,000+ IFC students attended peer-led hazing prevention sessions
- Launched new hazing prevention website with increased transparency of violations and sanctions
- Partnered with Real Response for anonymous, two-way reporting for students and others in our community through Text UAct
- Created cross-campus Hazing Prevention Team
- Joined Piazza Center’s What Works research project for enhanced external accountability and assessment
Added a new position this year, the safety and well-being coordinator, who:
Fostered strong relationships with campus partners and student leaders, particularly within our Interfraternity Council (IFC), leading to increased student buy-in and more collaborative approaches to event safety and hazing prevention
Launched a Hazing Prevention Peer Educator Program to empower students as change agents
Delivered 12 hazing prevention and event safety workshops, reaching over 600 students
Counseling Center
The Counseling Center supports UA students toward academic success and personal growth through a comprehensive set of resources and services. In addition to counseling and psychological services, they support the campus community through outreach, consultative services and training mental health professionals.
1,122
students served through 18,808 appointments — an 11% increase in students and a 12% increase in attended appointments compared to previous year
Student-Reported Outcomes:
- 92% said they can better manage stress and negative feelings after working with the Counseling Center
- 94% said they experienced reduced symptoms of distress from working with the Counseling Center
- 94% said their personal well-being improved after working with the Counseling Center
- College of Communication and Information Sciences
- College of Engineering
- College of Human and Environmental Sciences
- Culverhouse College of Business
- Honors College
- Housing and Residential Communities
Embedded Therapist Impact:
Dean of Students
The Dean of Students oversees several departments and functional areas within Student Life, including Student Care & Well-Being, Student Conduct, Off-Campus Resources, National Student Exchange and UA Religious Life.
1,850
Students hosted at 17 events
- Facilitated resolutions to 123 student complaints (63 academic and 60 non-academic) by utilizing strategic partnerships with administrators, faculty and staff from other divisional departments and the academic colleges
- Hosted 4,477 students at 23 off-campus housing fairs and other engagement opportunities
Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
The Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life supports the largest Greek community in the nation with nearly 13,000 students across 4 councils and nearly 50 on-campus housing facilities.
Chapters of the year:
APA: Alpha Chi Omega
IFC: Tau Kappa Epsilon
NPHC: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
UGC: Alpha Omega Epsilon
Dr. Robert E. Witt Cup
Community Chapter of Excellence: Alpha Chi Omega
134,000+
community service hours completed and over $1.5 million
in philanthropic giving raised (self-reported by chapters) in 2024
- 12,828 members in 71 Greek-Letter organizations across 4 councils:
Alabama Panhellenic Association (APA) — 19 organizations and 7,910 members
Interfraternity Council (IFC) — 36 organizations and 4,179 members
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) — 8 organizations and 214 members
United Greek Council (UGC) — 8 organizations and 525 members
- 53% of the fraternity and sorority community achieved academic recognition for Fall 2024 (3,921 named to the Dean’s List and 2,919 named to the President’s List)
- 56% of the fraternity and sorority community achieved academic recognition for Spring 2025 (3,904 named to the Dean’s List and 3,035 named to the President’s List)
- 243 students from all 4 councils attended Greek Leadership Summit 2025
- Greek Programming Board sponsored over 400 Greek Point events that aligned with the 5 engagement waves of the REAL Tide (Record of Engagement and Learning) in 2024
Health Promotion & Wellness
Health Promotion & Wellness (HPW) advances personal and community health and well-being on campus to help UA students thrive at the Capstone and beyond. Because students are an essential component to executing that mission, HPW provides experiential learning opportunities to many students each year, with volunteer and leadership roles through academic internships and the Project Health Peer Education Program.
1,608
hours of on-campus outreach provided by 174 peer educators in Project Health (67 hours per week)
19,402
student interactions (average of 844 per week) across the 5 branches of Project Health peer education:
Health Hut: Highly visible mobile structure in various locations throughout the week 55 Students
Gamma: Greek-specific health and wellness outreach group 35 Students
Ambassadors: Outreach program focused on first-year students 27 Students
Healthy Minds: Collaboration with the Counseling Center focusing on mental health and wellness 26 Students
Advocates: Unique approach using student teams of 2-3 to engage peers in informal conversations about the health topic of the week 26 Students
4 times per semester)
- Brown Bag series (focused on mental health) — reached 249 students
- Adulting series (focused on practical life skills) — reached 439 students
- Intuitive Eating series — reached 1,716 students
Dylan Lott
"Learning how to give out proper resources to the community on campus is really going to propel me into the future."
Housing and Residential Communities
Housing and Residential Communities (HRC) strives to set the standard of excellence for campus residential communities as they provide a holistic living environment that promotes student belonging and learning.
8,976
Students housed in 34 Residence Halls
600+
programs hosted that were designed to increase student engagement and connectivity as well as to help support student development and community engagement
- Provided 13 Living-Learning Communities or shared interest communities where students could engage with peers who share academic or other interests and goals (several supported by faculty-in-residence)
- Trained and equipped 274 live-on staff that provide ongoing resources, support and engagement to students who live on campus
- 247 resident advisors
- 21 graduate community directors
- 6 professional area coordinators - Housed 95% of freshman class and over 1,200 upperclassmen living on campus
- Partnered with the Counseling Center to offer mental health support to students living on campus through a new embedded therapist who offers dedicated counseling services directly within the residence halls (see Goals – Pt. 1)
Autumn Pernell
"I just remember the distinct feeling of ‘it doesn’t feel like I’m surrounded by a bunch of co-workers right now. It feels like it’s just a big group of friends.’ That’s kind of a testament to the community that I’ve found with all the other resident advisors. We are really close."
Parent & Family Programs
Parent & Family Programs educates, engages and guides UA student family members to support the student’s transition to college life and academic and personal success.
9,116
family members registered for Family Weekend, which included 34 events and activities
10,140
parents and family members supported through Bama Bound’s Parent and Family Orientation across 27 sessions
- Supported 65 students serving as Avantis who assist students and families at orientation
- Provided timely updates through the Crimson Connection newsletter to 95,998 parents and family members (12% increase over previous academic year)
- Launched Junior Jumpstart, a new affinity-based, themed content series in the Crimson Connection newsletter
- Hosted 36 Parent Advisory Council members across 16 states in 4 virtual and in-person meetings
Student Care &
Well-Being
Student Care & Well-Being (SCWB) provides assistance and case management for students in crisis as well as outreach to parents and families. SCWB coordinates a range of services to assist students with issues and concerns that may interfere with their academic success.
2,421
students assisted in 3,073 cases through SCWB case management team
$98,478.98
provided to 131 students in need or crisis, including to support medical and housing needs or other extenuating circumstances
- Opened the Bama Cares Food Pantry and Residential Closet in a new and expanded space, maximizing partnerships with the West Alabama Food Bank, Bama Dining, the SupeStore and the Coca-Cola Company
- Distributed 51,112 pounds of food to 570 students in need through the Bama Cares Food Pantry
- Provided 1,450 meals to 142 students in need through meal swipe donations
- Supplied 388 students with laptops and webcams free of charge through the Technology Assistance Program
Student Conduct
The Office of Student Conduct seeks to maximize each UA student’s learning experience by educating students about the Code of Student Conduct, as well as the Capstone Creed. When necessary, the office also serves as the main campus entity to work with students to resolve disciplinary matters.
1,540
students attended 69 “Know the Code” classroom presentations to increase familiarity with the Code of Student Conduct (only 8.5% of these students had conduct cases)
202
students completed 3,754 community service hours through nationwide nonprofit partner agencies
- Oversaw the Student Judiciary Board (the judicial branch of SGA, comprised of 35 students) as they adjudicated 234 non-academic violations of the Code of Student Conduct and 624 parking ticket appeals
- Awarded Best Collaboration Office by the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
- Collaborated with many campus partners to serve students: - Career Center
- Collegiate Recovery and Intervention Services
- Hazing Prevention Team
- Health Promotion & Wellness
- UA Campus Security and Safety Committee - Reached 1,232 students through 48 educational workshops on alcohol, tobacco, nicotine, vaping, and drug education including outreach through academic classes such as KIN-155
- Donated $8,180 of supplies to Humane Society of West Alabama, Toys for Tots, Diamond for Doula’s Community Baby Shower, Tuscaloosa Angels (foster care community)
- Reached 209 students through 18 Capstone Character Ethics and Values workshops
Samad Gillani
"[SGA is] not just one day in the classroom, one year on the campus, four years on the campus. It’s relationships that will last a lifetime. That’s what I’ve gotten to find here."
Student Governance
Student Governance supports the Student Government Association (SGA) as they strive to improve the student experience through self-governance, advocacy and programming. The SGA is comprised of three branches — Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.
548
students serving students across all branches and extensions of the SGA
$30,000+
raised for the Tuscaloosa SAFE Center through It’s On Us Week
- Launched The Rising Tide Capital Campaign case to further SGA’s legacy of leadership Read more about SGA’s Legends Leading Legends campaign
- 18 SGA students served on 15 University committees, including Built by Bama core curriculum
- Launched the Capstone Wellness Explorer to encourage students to engage with programming that supports holistic wellness Read more about the engagement-tracking program
- President Samad Gillani served on UA’s Presidential Search Committee
- Collected 50 tons of emergency relief donations in just 48 hours and shipped them to Hurricane Helene victims through Operation Airdrop Read more about Operation Airdrop
- Won the SEC Exchange Social Change Award
- Hosted 137 student attendees at Female Legends Leaving Their Mark with a panel of 5 extraordinary women panelists who are shaping Alabama’s future
Student Involvement
Student Involvement assists students in finding opportunities to engage and connect with the academic, local and global community. Through a series of engagement initiatives, as well as efforts to support targeted student populations, Student Involvement seeks to make a large campus feel smaller.
39,317
student memberships in 686 student organizations (including 67 new student organizations)
3,135
events supported through mySource – the student organization management portal
- Hosted an estimated 9,000 students at Fall Get on Board Day with participation from 64 campus partners, 354 student organizations and 65 community vendors
- Trained 850 student leaders through Event Smart Training and SOURCE Officers Academy
- Provided free rentable items valued at $21,186.60 to 125
unique registered student organizations in 225 rentals through the ReSOURCE Room - Engaged and developed 108 students in 14 sessions through Tide 2 (a second-year leadership experience); 71 students (fall cohort), 37 students (spring cohort) – see Goals page for more!
Kaytie Colbert
"I just really feel that being in this president position has helped with my leadership skills overall."
Student Media
Student Media trains and educates students through hands-on experiences and informs the campus with a variety of student-run broadcast, digital, online and print media.
$500,000+
in total revenue, including $387,456.89 in advertising revenue through the Student Media advertising sales team
350+
students engaged with experiential learning through student-run media outlets, supporting teams consisting of:
- Alice Magazine — 56 students
- The Crimson White campus newspaper — 126 students
- Nineteen Fifty-Six magazine — 65 students
- Bama Life newsletter — 8 students
- Marr’s Field Journal literary magazine — 18 students
- WVUA-FM radio station — 69 students
- Creative, marketing and sales team — 19 students
- Out of the 361 students involved in Student Media’s various teams and programs, approximately 16% (60 students) served in leadership roles
- Generated $173,900 in revenue through the Student Life Partnership Program, providing opportunities for local, regional and national businesses and organizations to engage with students in a variety of ways (a 77% increase compared to previous year)
- Provided 18 students with professional development opportunities traveling to regional and national college media conferences
- Sent 11 students on the road to experience covering Alabama football, volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and gymnastics teams at away games and championship events
The University of Alabama Student Center
The Student Center serves as the heart of campus and offers a wide variety of high-quality services, collaborative programming and leisure activities. It’s a space where UA students can come together, share ideas, develop relationships, network with faculty and staff, find resources and so much more.
1,258,997
visits to the facility, allowing students, faculty and staff to gather and build community on campus — a 9% increase compared to previous year
4,146
events hosted — a 39% increase compared to previous year
- Provided 1,200+ meeting room reservations and 500+ tabling opportunities free of charge to student organizations, departments and building partners
- Served 200+ student organizations with space for meetings and other activities
- Served 100+ campus and community partners (in addition to the Student Center interior, reservations also include John England Jr. Hall and Student Center Promenade, Plaza and Lawn)
- Developed 85 student workers in customer service and logistics roles that support essential functions to operate the facility
- Introduced digital event tablets outside meeting rooms to display real-time reservation information, replacing paper signage and improving aesthetics and clarity for patrons
- Added linen service as an optional event add-on for a fee, enhancing setup options and event presentation
Annual Goal Progress Update: Leadership Development Programming
Goal: Strengthen Leadership Development (REAL Tide)
We have grown our leadership development opportunities for students through new programs, shared assessment tools, and expanded outreach, engaging over 1,500 student leaders across campus.
114 leadership development programs registered in REAL Tide across Student Life
1,585 student leader positions supported by Student Life staff who offer training, advising and programming to help these students develop
New leadership development rubric adopted for shared and enhanced assessment of programming and opportunities across the division
New and Expanded Programs:
- Student Media launched a first-ever cohort-based program designed to prepare students for leadership roles in journalism, broadcasting, and media management. This initiative provides targeted training in communication, ethical decision-making, time management, and relationship-building – skills essential for success in modern media environments. The inaugural cohort included 8 students, allowing for deep, personalized mentorship and skill-building.
- 15-20 students participated in fall and spring semesters
- 100% reported satisfaction with knowledge gained
- 100% felt they achieved their learning outcomes
- 1893 Society offered students ongoing workshops with an immersive trip planned for the upcoming academic year.
- 52 students involved since program’s inception in 2024
- 100% of participants report a better understanding of their personal leadership abilities
- Capstone Leadership Academy (CLA):
- 40 UA student mentors trained to support high school sophomores in 2-day leadership development workshop
- 2 student leads assisting with planning CLA 2026
Annual Goal Progress Update: sophomore engagement
Goal: Increase Sophomore Engagement, Development, and Retention
Sophomore-focused programs like Tide 2 have expanded in reach and impact, offering tailored support to help second-year students continue into their junior year. Additionally, departments across Student Life have strategized creative ways to offer enhanced support to our sophomore class.
Student Involvement’s Tide 2 program shifted to a semester-based model with an updated curriculum focused on personal development and collaborative leadership and engagement. The goal of the Tide 2 program is to ensure students are making positive change on campus and succeeding beyond their second year at the Capstone.
108 participants (a 26% increase from 2023-2024)
- 32% from the fall cohort and 24% from the spring cohort were first-generation students.
- The majority (73% in the fall cohort and 62% in the spring cohort) are not affiliated with our Greek-letter community, which affirms the program is adequately reaching a group of sophomores who are not already engaged with highly supportive staff and programming.
The charts below are percentage breakdowns of student participation for Tide 2 by college for fall 2024 and spring 2025
Our Career Center also hosted several sophomore-focused events and opportunities, which utilized marketing targeted at second-year students:
- Sophomore-focused workshops: Rethinking Your Major and Internship Know-How
- Employer events with Disney, Lockheed Martin and SHIPT
- Sophomore Resume Reboot walk-in event
Parent & Family Programs launched a Sophomore Success newsletter with 15,000+ subscribers to support families of sophomore students with helpful resources.
University Programs
University Programs creates engaging events where all students feel welcome, find support and build community. They are committed to serving all students through on-campus programming for students, by students.
18,000+
student interactions through Weeks of Welcome (WOW)
WOW factor: For AYs 21-23, first- and second-year students who attended WOW events were 6% more likely to continue toward their educational goals the following fall semester than their peers who didn’t attend WOW events!
UP hosted or collaborated on more than 40 events with 20 campus partners for WOW 2024 (watch video below)
- Hosted or collaborated on 165 (large- and small-scale) events for over 45,000 interactions with 11,107 unique students
- Hosted Welcome Back Weeks in January with 10 campus partners to host 22 events with over 5,000 student interactions
- Offered leadership development opportunities including LeadUP, Engagement Pods, and Food for Thought, engaging over 300 students across experiential learning and mentorship programs
- Coordinated 45 student staff in experiential learning development, mentoring 25 UP Ambassadors who shadowed, volunteered, and attended leadership sessions (70% growth from fall to spring)
University Recreation
University Recreation (UREC) provides opportunities and resources for enhanced health and well-being for the UA community. They build student success and enduring wellness by encouraging healthy lifestyles through recreation.
763,323
total facility visits
83,886
program participations
- Participation by program:
Intramural Sports — 18,391 participations (from 6,755 students on 703 teams)
Club Sports — 24,775 participations
(from 1,378 students on 47 teams)
Personal Training — 3,987 participations
Group Exercise — 27,870 participations
Pilates Reformer — 2,135 participations
Outdoor Recreation — 6,728 participations
- Opened UREC facilities a total of 343 days of the year, available 159 operational hours per week Aquatic Center Outdoor Pool Complex Recreational Tennis Complex Robert E. Witt Student Activity Center (located in Presidential Village) Student Recreation Center
- Opened a new Resistance Training Room (RTR) offering approximately 1,600 square feet of additional space for strength training featuring premium Hammer Strength equipment
- Trained and supervised more than 544 student employees in the areas of customer service, programming and support positions that are essential for facility operations, including 101 student leadership roles
Veteran & Military Affairs
The Office of Veteran & Military Affairs (VMA) provides services and coordinates programs to meet the unique needs of veterans, service members, dependents and survivors to facilitate their transition to college life and help them fulfill their educational goals.
4,253
total members of the UA community served
3,330 Dependents
508 Veterans
184 Reserve Soldiers
153 Active
78 Spouses
- Certified a total of $9,609,320.79 in tuition funds for students through Federal GI Bill
- $8,738,277.85 (Chapter 33 Post 9/11 GI Bill)
- $871,042.94 (Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment) - Certified a total of $746,307.31 in tuition funds for students through the Alabama National Guard Education Assistance Program
- 4 UA student veterans, part of the Student Veterans Association (SVA), became the first from the SEC to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at Arlington National Cemetery
Scholarships and
Student Support
Thanks to the partnership of our faithful donors, over the last year, we were able to help many UA students in need by supporting them in a variety of ways.
Awarded $152,963
in scholarships to 133 students
Provided $98,478.98 in financial assistance to 131 students in need or crisis
Provided $16,550 to host over 100 community-building and outreach events for the Collegiate Recovery Community, supporting students with substance use concerns
Covered counseling session fees for 187 students
Awarded $10,000 to 10 students to support career-relevant internships
Funding amounts represent totals for the most recently closed fiscal year.
Join us in our work to support students across campus with resources, community and transformative learning with a gift to the Capstone Student Life Support Fund!
