At the University of South Alabama, enhancing our research and doctoral education for the betterment of our region and beyond isn’t just a goal — it’s the fuel that's igniting our advancement as the Flagship of the Gulf.
As one of Alabama’s youngest universities, South holds the prestigious Carnegie R2 designation, validating us as a high research activity doctoral university. That’s an incredible feat, and it means South is already in the top 7% of all U.S. universities in research activity.
But we are not stopping there.
In Fall 2022, President Jo Bonner and Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Andi Kent challenged a committee of faculty and staff to explore stepping up to the next level: the Carnegie R1 ranking, signifying very high research activity. In 2025, there were 187 R1-classified institutions in the U.S., representing approximately 3.7% of the total nearly 4,000 degree-granting institutions.
South is well on its way to achieving this coveted status. This isn’t just about a title; it is about who we are and what we do: A university that accepts challenges and pursues the not-yet-known to transform lives and address issues relevant to the Gulf Coast and the world.
USA research, published in Nature, shows how cancer cells exploit the nervous system to spread
University of South Alabama Awarded Nearly $5M NSF Grant to Support Low-Income STEM Students
South Faculty Recognized in World's Top 2% Scientists List