University Of Alabama System Appoints Sid Trant As New Chancellor

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees on Friday appointed Sid J. Trant as the new chancellor of the UA System.

Click here to subscribe to our free Tuscaloosa Daily newsletter and breaking news alerts

Trant has served as interim chancellor for the past 10 months following the move of Finis St. John to a new role with the university and will now assume the permanent job of guiding the state’s largest higher education and health care enterprise into the future.

The UA System says Trant will oversee three renowned public research universities – The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham and The University of Alabama in Huntsville, along with the UAB Health System.

The UA System has an operating budget of nearly $7 billion and an annual economic impact of $18.6 billion.

“Sid Trant has demonstrated exceptional leadership over the past several months, proving his ability to advance the University of Alabama System’s mission while strengthening its foundation for future success,” Trustee Karen P. Brooks said after leading the chancellor search. “His intricate understanding of the UA System combined with his proven experience and passion for higher education and health care make him uniquely qualified to lead the UA System into the future. He is a tested and trusted leader who will ensure the UA System continues to thrive and reach new heights.”

Trant’s tenure as interim chancellor includes the acquisition of Ascension St. Vincent’s Health System in central Alabama, along with promoting initiatives to ensure UA System campuses remain neutral platforms for academic freedom and scholarly debate.

“It is an incredible honor to serve as chancellor of the University of Alabama System,” Trant said. “I am deeply committed to the University of Alabama System’s mission of improving the lives of Alabamians and all those we serve through teaching, research and service. I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for entrusting me with this responsibility, and I look forward to working with our institutional leaders and all members of the UA System community to build upon our momentum and achieve even greater success.”

Trant previously served as the UA System’s general counsel and senior vice chancellor for several years before serving as interim chancellor.

Prior to joining the UA System in 2017, Trant worked for 30 years at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, as an attorney, practice group chair, hiring partner and a member of the firm’s executive committee.

A first-generation college student, Trant graduated summa cum laude from The University of Alabama in 1983 as a member of Phi Beta Kappa and went on to earn his juris doctorate in 1986 from Georgetown University Law Center.

Have a news tip or suggestion on how I can improve Tuscaloosa Patch? Maybe you're interested in having your business become one of the latest sponsors for Tuscaloosa Patch? Email all inquiries to me at ryan.phillips@patch.com.