UA System Chancellor Finis St. John Stepping Down For New Role

TUSCALOOSA, AL — University of Alabama System Chancellor Finis “Fess” St. John IV on Thursday announced he will transition from his current role to become the first executive director of the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership at The University of Alabama.

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His first day on the job will be April 1.

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve the University of Alabama System as chancellor following my tenure as a trustee," he said. "The UA System is stronger than ever with outstanding leaders at the helm of our institutions and is poised for continued success and fulfillment of our mission to improve lives through teaching, research and service."

St. John has served in the role since 2018.

Sid J. Trant, who serves as the current general counsel and senior vice chancellor of the UA System, will serve as interim chancellor effective April 1. The UA System says Trant will return to his current role as general counsel following the installation of the new chancellor.

The Shelby Institute was announced last February and is set to open in fall 2024 — supported by a $20 million endowment. It is intended to be a premier student-focused academic and service program concentrating on the education and training of students interested in public policy.

“Through his exemplary leadership and passion for higher education, Chancellor St. John elevated the University of Alabama System, one of the most impactful institutions in the state, to soaring heights,” Shelby said. “Annette and I are honored that Fess has agreed to serve as the inaugural executive director of the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership and believe The University of Alabama has selected the ideal individual for the role, especially considering the invaluable institutional knowledge he has gained as chancellor and as a former member of the UA System Board of Trustees."

The UA System praised St. John's time as chancellor, saying its annual economic impact on the state surpassed $15 billion, while annual research and development expenditures increased by nearly 40% to over $1 billion.

St. John was also credited with spearheading a comprehensive health and safety program during the COVID-19 pandemic that enabled the successful reopening of the UA System’s campuses and became a national model.

Before becoming chancellor, St. John — an attorney from Cullman — served on the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees for nearly two decades, including three consecutive terms as president pro tempore.

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