The University of Alabama has officially named Dr. Lesley Reid as its next provost after she spent the past several months serving in the role on an interim basis since November 2025.

As the university’s chief academic officer, Reid will oversee teaching, research and academic operations while working with university leadership to guide student success and faculty initiatives across the Tuscaloosa campus and beyond.

“Dr. Lesley Reid is a highly respected academic leader who brings to this role a deep understanding of The University of Alabama, our faculty and our academic mission,” UA President Peter J. Mohler said.

Mohler said Reid’s time as interim provost was marked by a leadership style focused on collaboration, shared governance, open communication and engagement with both faculty and students across campus.

He also pointed to her vision for academic mentoring and faculty leadership as a key part of UA’s future.

“I am honored to serve The University of Alabama as provost and excited for the work ahead,” Reid said. “With President Mohler, our deans, faculty, staff and students, I look forward to building on UA’s momentum and advancing a future-focused academic mission that expands opportunity, drives discovery and strengthens our impact across Alabama and beyond.”

Before being named interim provost, Reid served in several leadership roles at UA, including senior associate provost for academic and administrative affairs and associate provost for faculty affairs. She also served as interim dean of the School of Social Work from 2019 to 2021.

A criminologist by training, Reid’s research has focused on how different environments — from neighborhoods to correctional institutions — influence safety and the risk of criminal victimization. According to the university, she has secured multiple grants from the National Science Foundation and led a nearly $2 million study for the Alabama Department of Corrections.

UA also noted that Reid’s work on long-term crime trends in communities across the country has been featured in national outlets including the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Atlantic, the BBC and Scientific American.

The national search for UA’s next provost was led by Capstone College of Nursing Dean Dr. Julie Sanford and College of Human Environmental Sciences Dean Dr. Stuart Usdan. According to the university, the committee also included faculty, staff, students, Trustee Steven Roy and UA System representative Dr. Tonjanita Johnson.

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].