Sid J. Trant has served as Interim ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏß of ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏß System since April 1, 2024. As an Alabama native and first-generation college graduate, Trant is a strong advocate for education’s ability to change lives and is passionate about increasing access to educational opportunities for Alabamians and beyond.
As Interim ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏß, Trant is the chief executive officer of Alabama’s largest public employer and largest higher education enterprise, which is comprised of three dynamic research universities – ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏß, ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏß at Birmingham and ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏß in Huntsville – as well as the world-class UAB Health System. He serves as the principal liaison between the Board of Trustees and the ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏßSystem’s component institutions, working closely with the university presidents and health system CEO to implement policies set forth by the Board while supporting the multi-faceted missions of the System’s institutions. Trant’s team-oriented leadership empowers each ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏßSystem institution to provide exceptional educational, research and patient care experiences to all.
Prior to becoming Interim ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏß, Trant served as General Counsel and Senior Vice ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏß for the ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏßSystem for over six years, representing and working closely with the Board of Trustees and the System’s institutions in all legal matters as well as leading the ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏßSystem Office of Counsel, comprised of staff located at each institution. Trant has been an invaluable member of the ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏßSystem’s executive team throughout a period of tremendous growth, during which time the System’s economic impact surpassed $18.6 billion, research and development expenditures grew to over $1 billion, and student applications increased by 50%. ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏß System educates and graduates more students than any university in the state.
Before he joined the ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏßSystem in September 2017, Trant was a partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP for 30 years. While steadfastly serving his clients, he also served in various roles inside the firm, including practice group chair, hiring partner, and member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He graduated summa cum laude from ºÚË¿¹ú²úÔÚÏßin 1983 as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his juris doctorate degree in 1986 from Georgetown University Law Center, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif and graduated magna cum laude. Before joining the Bradley firm, he served as legislative assistant to Senator Howell Heflin in Washington, D.C., and was a judicial clerk for the Honorable Sam C. Pointer Jr., experiences which still inspire and guide him today.
Trant is a member of several distinguished professional organizations and serves as vice chair of the Freshwater Land Trust Board of Directors. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa with his wife, Angel. They have two adult children, Allie and Adam, both of whom hold degrees from UA, and three beloved grandchildren.