Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Parker H. Wright has been appointed as the inaugural dean of The University of Alabama’s newly established School of Leadership and Policy. Wright, a respected figure with a long-standing leadership history at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, will officially take on his new role on August 1.

Distinguished Military Career

Maj. Gen. Wright’s impressive academic credentials include a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, as well as master’s degrees in military operational art and airpower strategy from Air University. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy. During his tenure at Maxwell’s Air University, Wright was responsible for overseeing education and leadership development programs that served over 170,000 students annually.

His leadership extended to commanding the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, where he managed a global workforce of 4,200 personnel and directed intelligence analysis for high-level government entities, including the White House and Congress. Most recently, he led the Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education.

Vision for Leadership Education

UA President Peter J. Mohler expressed confidence in Wright’s ability to develop the new school, citing his proven track record in shaping strategy and driving innovation. Wright himself is eager to contribute to the development of principled, forward-thinking leaders. He emphasized the importance of collaboration, innovation, and disciplined decision-making in his career and looks forward to building programs that prepare graduates to tackle complex challenges.

The School of Leadership and Policy aims to address public dissatisfaction with leadership quality by offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in public policy and leadership. Classes are set to begin in Fall 2027, with the school headquartered in the historic Farrah Hall on campus.

Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.