Description
The University of West Alabama seeks a Registrar
Click here to view position profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/UWA_Registrar_Profile.pdf
Location: Livingston, Alabama
The Position:
The University of West Alabama (UWA) invites applications for the position of Registrar. The successful candidate will provide strategic leadership to a central academic office that safeguards student records and supports key processes for UWA’s campus and online learners while guiding modernization efforts, enhancing service delivery, and contributing to institutional effectiveness across Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Enrollment Management.
The Registrar’s Office is dedicated to delivering responsive, student-centered academic services that support the University community. The team fosters accurate, efficient processes that guide students throughout their academic journey, from initial enrollment through degree completion, while ensuring seamless collaboration with faculty, staff, alumni, and external partners. Committed to service excellence, the office promotes clarity, consistency, and accessibility in all academic procedures. All staff within the Registrar’s Office are dedicated to helping the University uphold its standards, advance its mission, and enhance the overall student experience.
The Registrar is a key academic administrator responsible for maintaining the integrity and security of academic records, ensuring compliance with institutional policies and external regulations, and supporting the academic mission of the University of West Alabama. This position provides leadership and oversight for all office functions, including course scheduling, registration, academic records, degree certification, graduation, Veterans Affairs education benefits, and related services. The Registrar works collaboratively with academic and administrative units to ensure student success and institutional effectiveness.
Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic leadership, planning, and oversight for all functions of the Office of the Registrar.
- Supervise and evaluate staff, fostering a culture of service, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and security of student academic records in accordance with FERPA and university policy.
- Oversee course scheduling, registration processes, academic calendars, and classroom assignments.
- Manage degree audit systems, certify graduation eligibility, and oversee the conferral of degrees and issuance of diplomas.
- Serve as the University’s School Certifying Official (SCO) or supervise designated SCO(s) responsible for certifying enrollment for students using Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits.
- Ensure institutional compliance with all applicable Department of Veterans Affairs regulations and reporting requirements.
- Collaborate with campus departments to provide support services for military-affiliated students, including veterans, service members, and dependents.
- Lead initiatives related to curriculum management, catalog production, and academic policy implementation.
- Collaborate with Institutional Research, Admissions, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs to support enrollment management and student success initiatives.
- Administer the student information system (SIS) and collaborate on technology enhancements and integrations.
- Serve as the University's FERPA compliance officer and maintain current knowledge of federal, state, and accreditation regulations.
- Participate in University governance and serve on relevant committees.
- Coordinate commencement activities in collaboration with other departments.
- Ensure compliance with reporting requirements for accreditation, federal/state agencies, and institutional needs.
Qualifications:
Minimum:
- Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in a registrar’s office or closely related academic administrative role, with at least two (2) years in a supervisory or leadership position.
- Demonstrated knowledge of student records management, academic policy, and regulatory compliance (e.g., FERPA, SACSCOC, Department of Veterans Affairs).
- Experience with student information systems (e.g., Ellucian Colleague or equivalent).
- Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong commitment to equity, student service, and institutional mission.
Preferred:
- Experience in a public, regional, or rural four-year higher education institution.
- Familiarity with Veterans Affairs education benefit programs (e.g., Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Montgomery GI Bill®, Yellow Ribbon Program).
- Experience implementing or maintaining degree audit systems and electronic transcript services.
- Experience working with military-affiliated student populations.
- Demonstrated success in leading technological or process innovations in registrar operations.
About the Institution:
The University of West Alabama (UWA) was chartered in 1835 as a church-related female academy and remained primarily a school for girls until the twentieth century. 2025 marked 190 years of proud tradition and educational excellence with more than 39,000 graduates. Currently, UWA offers associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist, and doctoral degrees within the walls of the College of Business, Julia Tutwiler College of Education, College of Liberal Arts, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Division of Engineering Technology, College of Nursing, School of Graduate Studies, and Online Programs. Click here for a video preview of the campus.
Mission
Enriching lives through education, service, and outreach.
Vision
To offer quality education and effective services while establishing a model for leadership in the region and beyond.
Strategic Plan
The University of West Alabama’s Strategic Plan 2026–2035, Your Bridge to What’s Possible, outlines a bold vision for advancing student success, access, and institutional growth in rural and regional higher education. The plan prioritizes enrollment expansion, retention, and a personalized student experience supported by flexible learning models, strong partnerships, and data-informed decision-making. Grounded in values of integrity, excellence, collaboration, and regional responsibility, UWA is committed to serving as a catalyst for opportunity and prosperity in the communities it serves. The plan’s emphasis on streamlined processes, integrated systems, transfer pathways, and transparent policies positions the Registrar as a key leader in supporting enrollment growth, timely degree completion, and institutional effectiveness.
Your Bridge to What’s Possible will be implemented in January 2026. You can read more about the plan here.
Points Of Interest
- A total of 22 new academic programs have been added over the past five years, including 2 doctoral programs (Ed.D. & D.B.A.)
- Over 100 international students on campus from 41 different countries
- UWA has been consistently recognized as one of the safest, most diverse, and best value of any public university in the state
- Governor’s Seal of Excellence in Work-Based Learning for its Integrated Marketing Communications Program
- The Division of Economic & Workforce Development received the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Excellence and Innovation Award for Regional and Economic Development
- In 2023, the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area was designated- UWA’s Center for the Study of the Black Belt serves as the management entity for this area
- Multiple national rankings for best online college, especially at the master’s level in education (e.g., 3rd in the nation for “Best Online Master’s Degrees in Secondary Education”
Community
The University Charter School (UCS) on the University of West Alabama (UWA) campus had a significant milestone when it opened in 2018. Its mission is to offer a strong educational experience, particularly for students in rural areas, providing them with opportunities for academic growth and success. By May 2023, the school had graduated its first senior class, marking a major achievement in its development. The vision of UCS to serve as a model for rural education underlines its commitment to providing quality schooling in areas that may otherwise lack access to resources.
Today, the School provides Pre-K through 12th grade education, continues to receive excellent marks in the state’s annual review, and has been ranked No. 1 in Alabama Charter Elementary Schools among the 2024 Best Elementary School rankings by U.S. News & World Report.
To Apply:
Acceptance of inquiries, nominations, and applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search. To apply, please submit a CV and a cover letter that addresses your reasons for interest and related qualifications/experience. Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted. Interested parties are encouraged to apply no later than February 23rd.
To apply online, go to https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su493
All applications and nominations will be held in confidence.
For more information please contact:
Cori Anderson
828-545-4508
canderson@summitsearchsolutions.com
Before hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation, including information obtained from social media and other internet sources.
The University of West Alabama does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, hearing status, personal appearance, color, sex, pregnancy, political affiliation, creed, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability (including perceived disability), age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any grievance process on campus, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other human rights agencies. AA/EOE. Minority applications encouraged.
Application URL https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su493
