DSC ANNUAL REPORT
2025-2026
DIVISION OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
MISSION STATEMENT
We tell UA’s story in authentic, dynamic and strategic ways.
Colleagues,
I am pleased to share the 2025-2026 annual report from the Division of Strategic Communications at The University of Alabama. This report reflects DSC’s dedication to integrity, innovation and collaboration, and highlights how our work powerfully advances UA as the Future-Ready Flagship.
This year marked the 10th anniversary of Where Legends Are Made, a milestone that allowed us to celebrate a decade of storytelling while continuing to strengthen the campaign’s performance, reach and relevance. Through WLAM 10.0, we expanded visibility, updated our creative strategy and revamped legends.ua.edu. These efforts support our storytelling mission that develops leaders, discovers new ideas, serves the UA community and stewards our national brand.
In partnership with our UA Enrollment Management team, we introduced Building the Bold, a new academic prestige marketing strategy reinforcing UA’s future by highlighting its strengths in research, innovation and student success. In 2025-2026, DSC continued to play a key role in advancing philanthropic and research storytelling. We collaborated with our campus partners to connect institutional impact with donor support and public engagement. We also supported major university achievements, including the arrival of UA President Peter J. Mohler, new presidential platforms and academic initiatives such as the Schools of Data Science and Leadership and Policy.
I invite you to explore these highlights on the following pages. They showcase our division’s talent and the impact of campuswide collaboration. Together, our work reinforces the brand and the future of UA: For Alabama. For leaders. For the future.
Roll Tide!
Ryan Bradley
Vice President for Strategic Communications
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
2025-2026
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1
Steward, elevate and protect The University of Alabama brand.
For a decade, Where Legends Are Made has shaped The University of Alabama’s narrative. In 2025-2026, Strategic Communications celebrated the campaign’s 10th anniversary by broadening its reach, enhancing performance, and updating creative and digital strategies. These efforts reflect ongoing stewardship of UA’s brand through purposeful storytelling, innovation and measurable impact.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2
Develop and implement strategies that support student recruitment and promote the Alabama experience.
Strategic Communications enhanced the student journey by aligning recruitment strategies with academic excellence. Through Building the Bold, recruitment efforts were strengthened while reinforcing the Alabama experience from first interest through graduation.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3
Create content that supports UA’s philanthropic goals and amplifies the institution’s research impact.
Strategic Communications advanced UA’s philanthropic goals and research mission through purposeful, high impact storytelling. These efforts amplified nationally visible research, strengthened donor stewardship and reinforced the connection between institutional impact, public engagement and a culture of giving.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 4
Craft and Deploy Timely and Relevant News and Information to Internal and External Audiences.
Effective communication is critical during institutional transitions. In 2025-2026, Strategic Communications provided timely updates across platforms to introduce new leadership, support presidential initiatives and build trust with campus and external audiences.