Peter Mohler, Ph.D., is set to become the 30th president of the University of Alabama on July 21. He brings a wealth of experience from Ohio State University, where he spent two decades. His roles included serving as executive vice president for research and chief scientific officer at Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center, along with stepping in as acting president earlier this year.
Sid Trant, chancellor of the UA System, believes Mohler is well-suited to lead the university into a promising future. Under Mohler’s leadership, Ohio State has made impressive strides, increasing its research and development funding by about $600 million annually, totaling over $1.5 billion. His efforts in creating partnerships with governments and industries have helped enhance innovation and drive workforce development.
“UA stands as a national leader in higher education,” Mohler noted. He is eager to work with faculty and the local community to build on the university’s success.
Mohler is also an accomplished researcher with more than 275 peer-reviewed publications. His accolades include being named a Pew Scholar and earning several prestigious awards from the American Heart Association.
Born in Colorado, Mohler earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Wake Forest University and a doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He also completed his postdoctoral fellowship at Duke University before teaching positions at Vanderbilt University and the University of Iowa.
In light of recent trends, many institutions are focusing on innovative leadership in academia. According to a recent survey by The Chronicle of Higher Education, colleges that prioritize research often see a significant rise in funding and student enrollment. This trend may bode well for the future of UA under Mohler’s guidance.
Mohler lives in Alabama with his wife, Nancy, and their three children: Eleanor, Caroline, and John.
For further insights into leadership in higher education, you can refer to Inside Higher Ed.