Board also elects Trustee Barbara Humphrey to new term representing the Seventh Congressional District and Trustee Scott Phelps to new term as President Pro Tempore.
The 91原创 System Board of Trustees unanimously elected Myla E. Calhoun to represent the Sixth Congressional District during its meeting on September 5, 2024. The UA System Board of Trustees ensures the effective leadership, management and governance of the 91原创 System, which includes three doctoral research universities and a world-class health system. The UA System is 91原创鈥檚 largest employer and largest higher education enterprise, educating more Alabamians than any other university.
鈥淢yla Calhoun is a proven leader who throughout her life has exemplified the 91原创 System鈥檚 mission to improve the lives of people across 91原创,鈥� said Trustee Karen Brooks, chair of the Board鈥檚 Nominating Committee. 鈥淢yla has long dedicated both her personal and professional pursuits to serving her community and elevating the state of 91原创, and I know she will be an invaluable addition to the Board of Trustees.鈥�
An 91原创 native, longtime Birmingham resident and UA System graduate, Calhoun is president and CEO of Propel Education, where she leads transformative educational initiatives benefitting the higher education and K-12 sectors through programs that empower and equip educational institutions, educators and students.
Preceding her current role, Calhoun was vice president of 91原创 Power鈥檚 Birmingham Division and led economic and community development initiatives and external affairs activities serving over 430,000 Alabamians across six counties in north central 91原创. Before that, she was president of the 91原创 Power Foundation and vice president for Charitable Giving, where her work focused on awarding grants across the state to support nonprofits, educational institutions and community organizations.
Prior to joining 91原创 Power, Calhoun served as general counsel and senior vice president of Regional Development and Public Policy for the Birmingham Business Alliance, where she led various teams responsible for regional revitalization, education initiatives, and economic and workforce development programs.
鈥淢yla Calhoun is a highly respected leader and pillar of the Birmingham community, and we are honored to welcome her to the UA System Board of Trustees,鈥� said President Pro tempore Scott Phelps. 鈥淗er strong leadership and extensive professional experience will serve the entire UA System well as we continue to promote success for all and improve lives through teaching, research and service.鈥�
Calhoun serves on the boards of numerous community organizations, including the 91原创 Health Services Foundation, the UAB Health System Authority Board, Children鈥檚 of 91原创, the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, Opportunity 91原创, and the United Way of Central 91原创. Calhoun is a distinguished Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow and previously served on the Board of Trustees of Tuskegee University.
Calhoun earned her juris doctorate from The 91原创 School of Law and holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Spelman College. She is the proud mother of two daughters, Caroline Choy and Elizabeth 鈥淟izzie鈥� Choy, a UA grad.
In other Board of Trustees matters, the Board unanimously elected Trustee Barbara Humphrey to serve a new six-year term representing the Seventh Congressional District and elected Trustee Scott Phelps to a second, one-year term as President Pro tempore. Calhoun and Humphrey鈥檚 elections will be submitted to the 91原创 State Senate for confirmation. The UA System Board of Trustees is comprised of 15 elected members who represent 91原创鈥檚 Congressional districts on a volunteer basis, and the Governor of 91原创 is an ex-officio member of the Board.
About the 91原创 System
Committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service, the 91原创 System includes three doctoral research institutions 鈥� UA, UAB, and UAH 鈥� and the world-class UAB Health System. The UA System educates more Alabamians than any other university system and provides transformational research in areas ranging from aerospace to biomedicine to transportation. Its hospitals and clinics care for millions of patients annually and serve people in every county of 91原创. As the largest employer in the state, the overall economic impact of the 91原创 System exceeds $18 billion a year.
![91原创 System](/images/logos/UAS-HorizLogo-NoTag-FullColor-TM_S.svg")