Dr. Michael E. “Mike” Malone is a former university president who served as executive director of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) for the past four years.

Dr. Malone, executive director of ACHE from July 2002 through July 2006, served as Visiting Professor and Administrator in Residence at Jacksonville State University, where he taught and provided consultation in the Department of Educational Resources in the area of Educational Administration and Leadership.

Under his leadership at ACHE, the state’s unified budget recommendation was passed with the support of a unified and united higher education community. His leadership gained national attention for the state through his appointment to the American College board of directors. As head of ACHE, Dr. Malone represented higher education as chair of the Alabama Humanities Foundation Board, a trustee on the Prepaid Affordable College Tuition Board, and as a member of the State Articulation and General Studies Committee.

His work history includes serving as president of Troy State University at Dothan and vice chancellor of the Troy State University System, as well as professor of educational leadership in Dothan from 1996-2002. 

From 1989-1996, Malone served as the associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, assistant professor of history and assistant professor of education leadership at Western Carolina University. He was director of admissions and assistant professor of educational leadership at Old Dominion University from 1981-1989. He served as the assistant dean of admission services, adjunct professor of behavioral studies, and lecturer in the College of Commerce and Business Administration at The University of Alabama from 1974-1981.

Dr. Malone was the assistant director of student services at Jefferson State Junior College from 1972-1974, and he served as a youthful offender counselor in Birmingham from 1971-1972. From 1969-1971, Dr. Malone was an English and social studies teacher/coach at Ragland High School. 

Dr. Malone has been involved in many prominent professional activities. He served as the chair of the Academic Assembly of the Southern Regional College Board in 2001. He served as consultant for The College Board’s enrollment planning service from 1986-1990 and consultant for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education in 1990. Dr. Malone served as the president of the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers in 1989, president of the Virginia Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers in 1987, and president of the Alabama Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers in 1980. 

Other professional and academic endeavors that Dr. Malone has been a part of include serving as the co-chair of the Alabama Task Force to improve Teacher/School Leadership Preparation from 2003-04. He served on the Governor’s Congress on School Leadership in 2004 and the Governor’s Commission on Teacher Quality in 2005. He was a part of the Alabama Higher Education Partnership Board of Directors from 1999-2001. 

Dr. Malone has committed his life’s work to improving higher education in the state of Alabama and beyond. 

Dr. Malone is a member of the Alabama Historical Society and the Birmingham Historical Society.  His interests include cycling and running. He has participated in 18 marathons, 4 triathlons, and 2 biathlons, and he has cycled through Europe. Gardening is his passion. He also likes pets, music and racquet sports, and he is an avid public TV and radio fan. Dr. Malone enjoys football officiating. He has been an AHSAA Football Officials’ Camp Instructor, a 2000 and 2002 “Super Six” Referee, and a Scout for the NFL.

Dr. Malone is married to Janice Tarrant Malone. Dr. and Mrs. Malone have one daughter.