Join us in welcoming Meredith Kahl as UAB’s new Director for Parent and Family Services. Kahl completed her undergraduate degree in Political Science and History at the University of South Carolina and went on to complete her masters in Higher Education Student Personnel at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss).

Kahl called Florida home for five years while working at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida as the Associate Director for New Student and Family Programs. She oversaw the orientation programs for all students and their families and family programming including a Family Association and e-newsletter. Prior to UAB, Kahl served as the Director of New Student and Family Programs for five and a half years at Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with a student population of 10,000. During this time, she was responsible for all new student and family orientations (freshmen and transfer), the welcome week program, family weekend, and the family council.

Kahl has served on three national conference committees and three regional conference committees for NODA (the Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention). She was also the South Carolina State Co-Coordinator for NODA.

As the Director for Parent and Family Services, Kahl will be responsible for serving as a one-stop reference point for family members of current UAB students, providing families with communications and updates from the University, and planning events which will bring family members back to campus at strategic times throughout the year.

So far Kahl is really enjoying UAB and adds that “the staff have been wonderful to work with, and everyone has a jump right in attitude which is much appreciated.” Her favorite spot is the Campus Green, which she is lucky to have as her office view. One of Kahl’s priorities with her new position is to let both the university and family members know that she, along with the entire Office of Parent and Family Services, is there for assistance. “I want family members to feel connected and engaged in their student’s university because ultimately if we can create an element of affinity with the university amongst the entire family then we are hopefully creating something that will resonate with the entire family for years.” She wants family members to become aware of the campus resources available to them. “By connecting the family members to the institution and sharing communication with them then hopefully we will be able to better assist their students towards persistence and graduation.”