Alabama A&M University held its Spring 2025 Faculty and Staff Conference Wednesday at the Event Center, celebrating past achievements and setting the stage for another successful academic year. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. John Jones, welcomed AAMU faculty and staff back to campus as the campus community received updates from the President’s Cabinet highlighting accomplishments of 2024 and goals for the new year.
Faculty and staff gained insights from speakers including General Counsel Attorney Rochelle A. Conley and Chief Information Officer Dr. Kylie Nash. Vice President for Marketing, Communication, and Advancement Jamal Ali emphasized the 150th Anniversary Campaign, while Carlton Spellman provided updates from Business & Finance. Dr. Braque Talley
Vice President of Student Affairs, celebrated the second consecutive year of record enrollment, reaching 7,300 students. Dr. Majed El-Dweik, Vice President of Research and Economic Development, reported a substantial increase in research grants from $70 million in 2023 to $88 million in 2024.
Athletics Director Dr. Paul Bryant lauded the women’s tennis team for their national championship victory and introduced new Head Football Coach Sam Shade.
President Daniel K. Wims expressed gratitude to the entire University community and highlighted AAMU’s recent SACSCOC reaffirmation, the growing network of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and other community partnerships, as well as improved student success.
“We are continuing to increase our retention and persistence rate,” said Wims. “First-year retention has seen a remarkable 6 percent increase this year, climbing to nearly 70 percent, and it’s all thanks to you and the work you do each and every day.”
2025 marks the Sesquicentennial celebration which commemorates the rich heritage and bold future of Alabama A&M University. The 150th anniversary is grounded in a campaign to raise support for three key AAMU priorities: campus improvements, STEM infrastructure, and scholarships. This year, Alabama A&M is raising $15 million from alumni and friends – a new record for the University – as part of the overarching campaign to generate $150 million in support of AAMU.
