Published on October 23, 2025 by Megan Winkler  
Jung Alan

After 10 years of dedicated leadership, Alan Jung has concluded his service as dean of Samford University’s School of Health Professions. His last day as dean was Oct. 10, and following a sabbatical, he will return to the classroom as a professor in the Department of Kinesiology.

Since being named the inaugural dean in 2015, Jung has guided the School of Health Professions through a decade of remarkable growth and Christ-centered purpose. His leadership helped shape a culture rooted in the calling of 1 Peter 4:10— “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

Jung’s passion for helping students live out this verse became synonymous with the school's identity. He was instrumental in establishing the 1 Peter 4:10 Service Grant, which supports faculty and student service opportunities that reflect the school’s mission to use knowledge, skill, and compassion to serve others locally and globally.

Under Jung’s leadership, the School of Health Professions expanded academic offerings, strengthened clinical partnerships and enhanced interprofessional learning opportunities. Earlier this year, he was named to the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2024 “Who’s Who in Health Care” list, recognizing his influence in shaping health care education and service across Alabama. 

Jung’s tenure was marked by his dedication to mentoring students and fostering a gospel-centered approach to health care education. His impact will continue through the programs, initiatives and values he helped establish.

David Cimbora, Samford’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, has appointed John Petrella, professor and chair of the Department of Kinesiology, as interim dean. A national search for Jung’s successor will begin in the fall of 2026.

The Samford community will celebrate Jung’s decade of leadership and lasting impact as he transitions to his new role as professor.

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford is widely recognized as having one of the most beautiful campuses in America, featuring rolling hills, meticulously maintained grounds and Georgian-Colonial architecture. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second-highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.