The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) has selected Dr. Kristy Lee as its new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). She began her new role on Aug. 27, 2025. Lee reports directly to UAH President Charles L. Karr, and her focus will be on providing strategic leadership for key administrative functions across the university. The appointment was approved by The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees Compensation Committee. UAH is a part of the University of Alabama System.
“I am excited to welcome Dr. Kristy Lee to UAH as our new Chief Administrative Officer,” said President Karr. “With more than 15 years of experience in higher education, she has a strong background in improving how universities operate behind the scenes. I’m confident she will play a key role in helping us build a more efficient and responsive administrative foundation for the future.”
The CAO is a newly created position at UAH. In this role, Lee will oversee facilities and operations, human resources, information technology, campus police and safety, and risk management and compliance. She will also advise the university president on various operational and strategic initiatives.
““I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the UAH community as its chief administrative officer,” says Lee. “It is an honor to join a team that is leading transformation and fostering a culture of improvement and innovation at a university with a well-established history of being a premier research institution.”
Lee holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law, as well as her Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Alabama. She graduated from Auburn University in 2003 with a B.S. in Microbiology.
She most recently served as the Senior Vice President for Administration and Liaison to the Board of Trustees at the University of Montevallo, where she oversaw several administrative units. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Kristy has demonstrated a strong commitment to civic engagement, contributing her expertise to organizations such as the Higher Education Partnership of Alabama Board of Directors, Auburn University’s Office of Special Projects and Initiatives Advisory Board, and Leadership Shelby County.