Alabama Newscenter
By Savannah Koplon
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is one of just 13 institutions ranked as national leaders in racial and gender diversity representation in leadership, according to a 2021 report by the Women’s Power Gap (WPG) Initiative at the Eos Foundation, in partnership with the American Association of University Women.
WPG’s report, “The Women’s Power Gap at Elite Universities: Scaling the Ivory Tower,” ranks UAB 12th among 130 elite research universities. UAB was acknowledged for racial and gender-specific advancements among leadership, including:
- 50% of academic deans are women.
- Two of the university’s past presidents were women.
- The university’s provost is female.
- Women compose 38% of the president’s cabinet.
- 29% of tenured full professors are women.
“Women have to advance one another on the path to leadership by empowering, nurturing and contributing to women’s thriving and achieving, and I believe women benefit from having other women as role models and mentors,” said UAB Provost Pam Benoit. “I appreciate being able to bring a different perspective and approach into decision-making as a woman in leadership. It is not uncommon to be the only female in the room, and I have worked to counter stereotypes. I am fortunate to have supportive colleagues at UAB, where there is a true commitment to inclusivity.”
