Admiral Al Harms, vice president for Strategy, Marketing, Communications, and Admissions, has announced his resignation from UCF effective Dec. 31.
“Admiral Harms has served UCF with dedication and distinction, and I commend him for his outstanding leadership and commitment to this university,” said UCF President John Hitt. “Al and his wife, Gina, have been trusted and loyal members of the UCF family. I know I speak for us all when I say that they will be greatly missed.”
Harms began as a special assistant to the president in 2005 and handled multiple projects, including UCF’s response to the Virginia Tech shootings, community outreach initiatives for the construction of Bright House Networks Stadium and the university’s program to help Haiti recover from its devastating earthquake.
As vice president, Harms has played an important role in UCF’s recent growth in quality and access. Since 2005, university enrollment has increased to approximately 60,000 students, and the average SAT score and grade point average for incoming freshman have consistently improved to record levels for the university.
A university-record 247 National Merit Scholars are enrolled at UCF, while 40 percent of UCF’s students are minorities, making UCF more diverse and inclusive than at any time in its 50-year history.
Among other duties, Harms has overseen the creation of WUCF TV, led the campus football game-day operations since the opening of Bright House Networks Stadium in 2007, served twice as interim Director of Athletics, and administered the university’s response to the March 2013 shooting incident at Tower 1.
“This has been a difficult and bittersweet decision, but the time is right for me and my family to move on to new adventures,” Harms said. “I will miss serving with such an incredibly talented and dedicated team of professionals, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to help so many wonderful young men and women prepare for their next life adventures.”