As thousands of students arrive on campus for the fall semester, Week of Welcome will feature nine days of traditions, entertainment and opportunities to build lasting connections. From Charger Blue BBQ and Rock the Rec to new events like an outdoor concert and Greek Life information session, the annual celebration helps students find their place in the Charger community before classes begin.

“We want students to look back on Week of Welcome as the beginning of friendships, experiences and traditions that shaped their college journey,” says Megan Wilkinson, director of Student Life at UAH. “When students find connections early, they're more likely to dive in, discover what excites them, and build the kind of community that carries them through all four years.”

New College of Nursing Dean Dr. Hyochol Brian Ahn is building on UAH’s strong foundation with plans to expand academic programs, strengthen healthcare partnerships and advance interdisciplinary research. His vision includes developing a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) program, growing the UAH Neighborhood Nursing initiative to improve access to care, and fostering innovation at the intersection of nursing and engineering to prepare the next generation of healthcare leaders.

“UAH Neighborhood Nursing is something unique here at UAH, and it demonstrates that nursing is not only hospital nursing,” he says. “I’ve met a few organizations involved with UAH Neighborhood Nursing, and we would like to strengthen it to develop a model to protect and enhance healthcare, especially in rural areas. We have so many rural areas around here, so I see a lot of possibilities.”

As emerging technologies reshape the national security landscape, UAH is expanding its Intelligence and Security Studies programs to prepare professionals who can bridge the worlds of science, technology and policy. Building on its graduate certificate, the university is developing new master’s degree programs designed to meet the evolving needs of government, defense and industry.

“During my career, I often found myself in the position of acting as a translator between the policymakers and engineers, or the policymakers and climate scientists, for example,” says Ferrell Horn, director of UAH's Office of Intelligence and Security Studies and a clinical assistant professor in the UAH Department of Political Science. “Fields like these tend to ‘speak’ different languages than policymakers do, but the need for communication and, more importantly, understanding between the two, is more critical than ever.”

Researchers at UAH have helped identify a new genus of blind cavefish in one of the most studied cave systems in the southeastern United States, revealing that even familiar environments can still hold extraordinary scientific discoveries. The finding is reshaping scientists’ understanding of evolution, biodiversity and conservation in subterranean ecosystems.

“This is one of the last places we'd have bet on it,” says Dr. Matthew L. Niemiller, associate professor of biological sciences and director of the Cave Bio Lab at UAH. “Finding an entirely unknown, new genus of freshwater fish in eastern North America today is a little like finding a new kind of big cat. The group is so well known, we thought the big surprises were behind us. To have one turn up in a cave we've watched for three decades is a real reminder to stay curious. It was genuinely surprising.”

A $75,000 donation from Astrion is helping support a new anechoic chamber initiative in UAH’s College of Science, creating opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience testing antennas, sensors and radio frequency (RF) systems used in modern defense and aerospace applications. The facility will connect academic learning with real-world testing environments, preparing students for careers in industry, government and research.

“Astrion’s support will allow us to train the next generation of RF scientists and engineers," says Dr. Rainer Steinwandt, dean of the College of Science. The students working on these projects will fuel innovation in this field throughout Huntsville."

UAH is proud to be part of the Space & Missile Defense Symposium! If you're attending the conference, visit us in Booth 1208.

Join fellow UAH alumni and friends at the SMD Networking Reception.

SMD Networking Reception

Tuesday, August 11

5–8:30 p.m.

Reconnect with fellow Chargers, expand your professional network and catch up with friends, faculty and university leaders.

Mark your calendars for Sept. 24-27, 2026, and join us at UAH for Family & Friends Weekend. Alumni, students, families, supporters and friends are invited to experience campus life, connect with the Charger community and enjoy a weekend of activities both on campus and throughout Huntsville.

The weekend will feature a full lineup of Charger traditions and family-friendly experiences, including Umbrella Alley in downtown Huntsville, a volleyball tailgate and game, Service Saturday, the 5K Color Run, Family & Friends Fun Day, ACE movie events, Cocktails & Cosmos at the INTUITIVE® Planetarium, the UAH Athletics Hall of Fame celebration and a send-off breakfast to close out the weekend.

Registration coming soon! Watch the Family and Friends page for details.

Click the link below to check out a list of other upcoming events across campus! 

The University of Alabama in Huntsville

301 Sparkman Drive

Huntsville, AL 35899

contactus@uah.edu

256.824.1000

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301 Sparkman Drive | Huntsville, AL 35899 US