Dear UAH students, faculty and staff,
It is my great pleasure to announce the appointment of Dr. Eric Smith as Dean of the Honors College, effective May 11, 2026.
Dr. Smith is a wonderful example of UAH’s commitment to promoting internal talent. He joined UAH in 2006 and rose through the ranks to full professor in our Department of English, earning the Eugene Current-Garcia Award, the highest honor for literary scholarship in Alabama, along the way. He served as Director of the UAH Humanities Center from 2013–2021, where he provided strategic leadership and oversaw program development, resource stewardship, faculty and scholarship support, and external relations and engagement. During his tenure, the Center hosted more distinguished campus visitors than at any prior point in its history.
Dr. Smith’s appointment reflects his demonstrated administrative effectiveness, his deep and longstanding commitment to the Honors College, and the enthusiastic support he received throughout the search process. We are confident he will bring the same energy and vision to the deanship that has distinguished his career as a teacher-scholar and center director.
Please join me in congratulating Dean Smith as he builds on the outstanding accomplishments of the Honors College and charts an exciting path forward.
I also take this opportunity to offer our sincere gratitude to Dr. Keith Hollingsworth, who has served with distinction as Interim Dean since the summer of 2024. Dr. Hollingsworth’s dedication to honors education and his steady, caring stewardship of the college during this transitional period have been invaluable, and we are deeply appreciative of his service.
Go Chargers!
Dave
Dr. David Puleo
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
