Retired U.S. Air Force Major General Parker H. Wright, a battle-tested two-star general, career intelligence officer, and former deputy commander of Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, has been named the inaugural dean of The University of Alabama’s brand-new School of Leadership and Policy. He begins August 1, 2026.

According to UA President Peter J. Mohler, the hire reflects the mission of the school itself. Wright spent his career developing leaders and running large organizations under pressure, which the exact work the School of Leadership and Policy was built to teach.

“Maj. Gen. Wright is an accomplished leader with a proven ability to develop people, shape strategy and drive innovation at scale,” Mohler said.

A native Alabamian, Wright brings more than three decades of policy and education experience, distinguished military service and national security leadership to the role, most recently serving as commander of the Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, and deputy commander of Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base.

“Across decades of national security leadership, including numerous commands in multiple theaters and several Pentagon tours, he has guided large, mission-driven teams through high-stakes decisions and delivered intelligence analysis relied upon at the highest levels of government,” Mohler added.

“His commitment to leadership development and his experience working across complex organizations position him well to build a dynamic school that prepares the next generation of leaders. We are excited to welcome him to the Capstone.”

According to the University, as the inaugural dean, Wright will lead the establishment and growth of the School of Leadership and Policy, advancing initiatives that align with the University’s mission to develop leaders, strengthen communities and expand its global impact.

He will work closely with campus leadership and University partners to create interdisciplinary programs that bridge public service, policy and leadership development.

“I am honored to join The University of Alabama and help launch a School dedicated to developing principled, forward-thinking leaders,” Wright said.

“Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the importance of collaboration, innovation and disciplined decision-making. I look forward to working with faculty, students and partners to build programs that prepare graduates to tackle complex challenges and serve with impact.”

A career intelligence officer and five-time commander, Wright held senior leadership roles across the Department of Defense, including director of intelligence and information for U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, known as NORAD, where he supported homeland defense and integrated deterrence.

At the Pentagon, he served as director of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, overseeing policy, force development and readiness for a roughly $30 billion Air Force enterprise and leading workforce development for the 4,000-member intelligence field. He also helped shape the Air Force’s information warfare vision, guided a 2030 taskforce design focused on emerging threats, and advanced data and cloud strategies to speed artificial intelligence adoption.

Wright also commanded the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, where he led a global workforce of 4,200 military, civilian and contracted personnel, oversaw a $480 million annual budget, and directed intelligence analysis for the White House, Congress and combatant commanders. He drove organizational reforms, launched machine learning and artificial intelligence initiatives and helped shape national space policy.

Earlier undertakings included leading the Joint Intelligence Operations Center Europe Analytic Center and commanding intelligence organizations supporting the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, where he helped stand up the Air Force’s first cyber mission teams and expand cyber capabilities.

At Air University, Wright oversaw education and leadership development programs serving more than 170,000 students annually, spanning enlisted personnel, officers, civilians and international partners. He led curriculum modernization efforts that emphasized experiential learning, integrated emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence into educational programs, and strengthened academic and industry partnerships. He was also responsible for leading Air Force doctrine development, lessons learned analysis, and the Air Force Wargaming Institute.

Wright holds a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, along with master’s degrees in military operational art and airpower strategy from Air University, where he graduated at the top of his classes. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy.

The appointment fills the top post at a school the UA System Board of Trustees approved in November, a rare move for the University. It had been decades since UA founded a new school that did not live under an existing college.

Headquartered in historic Farrah Hall on the Quad, the former home of UA’s law school, now slated for full interior renovation, the School of Leadership and Policy is on track to offer undergraduate and graduate degrees, building on the foundation laid by the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership.