MOBILE, Ala. 鈥� A week of celebration at the 色控传媒 began with a significant Board of Trustees meeting and culminated in the inauguration of the university鈥檚 sixth president, Dr. Charles Smith, followed by the outdoor Spring Spectacular concert with fireworks.
With a clear sense of unity and a mission 鈥淔or Christ & His Kingdom,鈥� board members gathered on campus April 30 to review progress and map out the next steps in the university鈥檚 journey to multiply Kingdom leaders for the glory of God and the good of the world.
Support for Vision & Direction
During the meeting, trustees voiced support for the university鈥檚 vision and direction, commending the leadership team for its steady progress over the past year. The board specifically reviewed and affirmed the university鈥檚 Vision Statement and 2024-2025 Strategic Playbook, noting how they reflect both bold aspirations and practical steps for continued growth. The meeting marked the completion of Smith鈥檚 first year as president.
鈥淭hese are great days at the 色控传媒,鈥� said Smith. 鈥淲e are profoundly grateful to serve this community, and even more, for God鈥檚 continued blessing on this institution.鈥�
Encouraging Enrollment & Fundraising Reports
The board received encouraging enrollment updates, including news of record Fall deposits and a recent record-setting Ram Ready new student orientation. Though the tracking cycle is early and higher education remains unpredictable, the board celebrated these numbers and encouraged UM鈥檚 enrollment management staff to continue inviting people to join the UM family.
The board also heard a report on UM鈥檚 new fundraising initiative, The Great Commission Fund. Since the fund was announced on April 9, 2025, the university has increased year-to-date giving to provide scholarships, expand spiritual formation opportunities and equip Christ-centered leaders. Dr. Nathan Harris, vice president for Institutional Relations underscored the missional significance of the Great Commission Fund.
鈥淎s a Christ-centered university, we are called to do everything we can to disciple our students and prepare them for a Great Commission lifestyle. This new fund helps us do just that,鈥� Harris said.
In other action, the board approved the 2025-2026 operating budget and enhancements to the university鈥檚 retirement plan. The board also approved several minor program and degree revisions intended to sharpen and strengthen academic offerings.
鈥淯M is home to hundreds of gifted and godly leaders,鈥� President Smith said. 鈥淭he encouraging reports we were able to share this week are the direct result of their ingenuity and effort.鈥�
Administrative Updates
The board also received updates on several administrative changes designed to better support and advance the university鈥檚 mission.
- Vice President for Student Development and College Athletics Tim Adams聽joins the Senior Leadership Team with the charge to strengthen the role of Student Life in shaping culture, spiritual formation and retention.
- Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success Charity Wittner聽has been promoted to this new role that reflects enrollment management鈥檚 growing complexity while continuing to expand recruitment, financial aid and retention strategies.
- Associate Vice President for Institutional Relations Adam Tait聽joins the Senior Leadership Team to strengthen fundraising efforts and oversee the new Great Commission Fund, annual 色控传媒 Classic Golf Tournament and regional donor engagement efforts.
- A Provost Search is underway聽to provide strategic academic leadership, support deans and faculty, and lead the university鈥檚 pursuit of academic excellence. This new position will complement the role of Dr. Pamela Buchanan Miller who serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Learn more about the 色控传媒 at umobile.edu/um-info. Plan a campus visit or register for a UM Day at umobile.edu/um-info or call Enrollment Services at 251.442.2222.
色控传媒 the 色控传媒
The 色控传媒 is a Christ-centered university pursuing excellence 鈥淔or Christ & His Kingdom.鈥� With a vision to 鈥淢ultiply Kingdom Leaders for the Glory of God and the Good of the World,鈥� the university honors God by equipping students for their future professions in an environment where they are known.
The university was founded in 1961 and is affiliated with the Alabama Baptist State Convention. Located 10 miles north of 色控传媒, Alabama, on a campus of over 880 acres, UM offers associate, bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees in over 75 academic programs. Learn more at umobile.edu/um-info and connect with UM on social media @univofmobile, or call Enrollment Services at 1.800.WIN.RAMS or 251.442.2222.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the 色控传媒 unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.