Janet May has been named the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s chief human resources officer.
May comes to UAB from Houston Community College System where she served in the same role, serving more than 80,000 students and 6,000 employees. She also has served in leadership roles at Texas Tech University, New Mexico State University and Pima Community College.
“Janet is well respected in her field and among those who have worked with her,” said Brian Burnett, UAB’s senior vice president for finance and administration. “She is a lifelong learner and servant leader with broad and deep experience that will serve UAB well.”
May recently received the 2021 Distinguished Service Award from the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, an organization she has been active in for 10 years.
May has a bachelor’s degree from McMurry University and a master’s from New Mexico State University.
She succeeds Alesia Jones, who announced her retirement earlier this year after serving at UAB for 27 years, including 12 as chief human resources officer.
“Alesia has expertly guided HR through tremendous institutional growth during her 12 years as CHRO, including the COVID-19 pandemic,” said UAB President Ray Watts. “I am grateful to her for making a seamless HR leadership transition possible, and I look forward to Janet’s building on the momentum Alesia and her team have built.”