Stephanie Mullins will serve as the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s vice president for Finance beginning April 15. Mullins has been serving in the role in an interim capacity since December.
Mullins will guide the strategic direction of UAB’s financial, facilities and business operations functions while reporting to UAB President Ray L. Watts and serving on the President’s Cabinet. She will also lead and develop policies for Financial Affairs, Facilities Operations, UAB Center for the Arts and Business Operations. The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved Mullins on Friday, March 28.
“Stephanie has been a driving force behind our financial leadership for many years. Her expertise is crucial to the strategic initiatives that fuel our institution’s sustained growth and remarkable achievements,” Watts said. “Stephanie brings stability, knowledge and business acumen to our initiatives, which demand rigorous collaboration, careful coordination and comprehensive oversight across the university, Health System and affiliated entities. She will provide the highest caliber of leadership and dedication to drive our priorities forward. Her expertise and commitment are invaluable assets to our continued success.”
The positions of senior vice president for Finance and Administration and vice president for Strategic Initiatives — a role Mullins has served in since Oct. 1, 2024 — will be eliminated and replaced with a more effective leadership structure through the creation of the VP of Finance and the VP of Administration. This new structure will create a more efficient and dynamic model to better serve UAB’s complex business and institutional initiatives and create administrative financial savings for the university.
Mullins, who has been at UAB since 1999, served as the institution’s CFO from 2016-2024. In 2023, Mullins was named the No. 1 CFO in Alabama by Finance and Investing.
“It has been a privilege to be part of UAB’s remarkable journey over the years, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our institution and its people,” Mullins said. “I am excited to step into this new leadership role as vice president for Finance. This position enables us to focus on our mission and vision while maintaining the solid foundations of financial and physical assets.”
Mullins will continue to serve as an officer and board member for the UAB Educational Foundation. She will also serve as a committee member for the UAB Health System Authority Board and co-chair of the Campus Planning and Facilities Advisory Committee and Budget Advisory Committee.