[LinkedIn Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-colson-33a245115)
Professional Role and Responsibilities
Andrew Colson serves as the Director of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. In this capacity, he leads the undergraduate admissions office, managing recruitment efforts and overseeing a team responsible for attracting and enrolling a diverse student body. His direct contact information includes an institutional email (awcolson@uab.edu) and phone number (205-517-2022).
Colson’s role encompasses several key functions relevant to student recruitment and retention:
- Staff leadership and mentoring: He is responsible for leading and mentoring admissions staff who recruit broadly across the undergraduate applicant pool.
- Recruitment focus: He actively recruits students within the Birmingham City School system and likely other regions within Alabama, serving as a principal point of contact for prospective students in-state.
- Program management and event planning: He manages multiple admissions programs and events designed to enhance prospective student engagement and facilitate their transition into UAB.
- Secondary advising: Beyond recruitment, he functions as an advisor supporting student inquiries during the admissions process.
His leadership position situates him centrally in strategic decisions related to undergraduate recruitment workflows, admissions criteria, and outreach initiatives.
Institutional Context and Departmental Structure
Andrew operates within the larger admissions leadership team at UAB, working alongside key figures such as:
- Kristin Brymer, Director of International Admissions
- Kathleen H. Stallings, Executive Director of Admissions & Scholarships
- La Shaundria Thomas, Director of Undergraduate Scholarships
This team supports a comprehensive admissions strategy covering international, undergraduate, scholarship, and specialized student populations.
UAB is a major research university and medical center with a wide variety of academic offerings and a strong regional recruitment emphasis. The admissions department actively engages with local high schools and community partners, reflecting Andrew Colson’s role as a connector to the Birmingham educational ecosystem.
Recent Public Engagement and Thought Leadership
Andrew Colson has conducted public interviews and media appearances, most notably a radio interview on the TRUITT NEWS RADIO Show (April 26, 2025), where he discussed undergraduate admissions insights. His comments emphasize the human element in admissions decision-making, specifically noting a balanced perspective on technology use such as artificial intelligence tools—"AI should be an editor, not the author," reflecting his approach to integrating new tools without losing personal engagement.
He has been featured in regional media including the Hoover Sun and 280 Living (May 2025 editions), further indicating his community presence and ongoing communication regarding admissions trends. These engagements suggest an active role in public-facing outreach and thought leadership concerning admissions best practices and educational access.
Contact and Availability
- Email: awcolson@uab.edu
- Phone: 205-517-2022
- Venue: University of Alabama at Birmingham, Department of Undergraduate Admissions
He maintains a travel and meeting schedule accessible through the UAB admissions platform, reinforcing his operational involvement and availability for meetings related to recruitment activities.
Relevant Institutional and Market Insights
The University of Alabama at Birmingham positions itself as a competitive institution drawing significant interest from Alabama and surrounding regions. Andrew Colson’s leadership in undergraduate admissions places him at the forefront of executing recruitment strategies that align with UAB’s mission to expand access and promote academic excellence.
Given his role:
- He evaluates prospective student pipelines, particularly from local high schools such as Woodlawn High School, and likely engages with transfer recruitment components, indirectly alongside colleagues like Jake Gipson (Associate Director for Transfer Recruitment).
- His staff leadership encompasses regions covering the state of Alabama, aligning recruitment efforts with regional demographic and educational trends.
- His communications emphasize a deliberate, personalized recruitment approach supplemented by technology rather than supplanted by it.
Summary of Key Points in Andrew Colson’s Profile
- Title: Director of Undergraduate Admissions, University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Location: Birmingham, Alabama
- Leadership: Heads a team recruiting a wide range of undergraduate students with a focus on maintaining diversity and accessibility.
- Recruitment Area: Emphasizes Birmingham City School system and statewide Alabama counties.
- Media Presence: Participates in regional radio, print, and online media, providing insights on admissions policies and higher education trends.
- Communication Philosophy: Advocates for human-centric decision making with supportive technology use.
- Contact: awcolson@uab.edu | 205-517-2022
- LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-colson-33a245115](https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-colson-33a245115)
This profile positions Andrew Colson as a pivotal figure in UAB’s undergraduate admissions, combining operational leadership with a community-engaged recruitment strategy. Understanding his role and philosophy can help align communication and engagement strategies with UAB’s admissions objectives and student outreach priorities.
