President, University of Alaska

 

University of Alaska Fairbanks

 

The https://www.alaska.edu/alaska/ seeks a visionary, strategic, and collaborative leader with experience managing large, complex organizations who will bring a modern understanding of higher education to serve as its next President.

 

The University of Alaska (UA), founded in 1917, is America's Arctic University and the northernmost public higher-education system in the United States. The UA inspires learning, and advances and disseminates knowledge through teaching, research, and public service, emphasizing the North and its peoples. As a land-, sea-, and space-grant system with three separately accredited universities and 11 community campuses across the state, UA plays an essential role in educating Alaska's workforce, expanding the boundaries of Arctic research, and strengthening communities from Southeast Alaska to the North Slope.

 

Offering nearly 500 degrees, certificates, and endorsements, including more than 100 eLearning programs, UA served more than 20,000 students in 2025. More than 100,000 alumni hold UA degrees, and the University's research expenditures grew to $274 million in FY25. The three universities, along with their associated community campuses, are a vital part of the state's future and the communities they serve.

 

The University of Alaska empowers Alaska's future. The UA system provides the vast majority of Alaska's post-secondary education, conferring 90% of the state's higher education degrees. Ninety percent of students who graduated between 2011-2023 were working in the state within a year of graduation, and 75% stayed and worked long-term.

 

The President oversees an authorized budget of approximately $1.1 billion. Roughly $331 million of that budget is Unrestricted General Funds authorized by the state.

 

The President's office is housed at the System office in Fairbanks. The designated presidential home is the University's https://www.alaska.edu/news/system/schaible-house.php, a welcoming home named after one of Alaska's most influential philanthropists.

 

Today, UA stands at a critical moment, continuing to grow enrollment, enhance partnerships with Tribal and Alaska Native organizations, modernize operations, and meet the statewide demand for a highly skilled workforce. The next President will lead a geographically vast, research-intensive, and workforce-driven system that serves as one of Alaska's most important public institutions.

 

The role calls for a leader who can embrace the innovation and drive that have defined UA since its founding. It remains a time to welcome cooperation, tackle complex challenges, and build confidently for the future. The next President must bring vision, political and financial acumen, a commitment to shared purpose, and an understanding that progress in Alaska depends on strong partnerships, well-directed effort, and service to the people of the state.

 

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume, and a letter of interest that addresses the themes outlined in the leadership profile.

 

WittKieffer is supporting the University of Alaska in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by March 5, 2026. Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to: Melody Rose, Ph.D., Shelley Arakawa, J.D., and Maya Holt-Brockenbrough, Ph.D. at mailto:UAlaskaPresident@wittkieffer.com

 

The http://www.alaska.edu/(http://www.alaska.edu/) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a http://www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination (http://www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

Related Documents

 

• https://api.wittkieffer.com/wp-content/uploads/position/university-of-alaska-system-president-search-profile-final.pdf

 

The University of Alaska (UA) reserves the right to require employees to work on-site at the UA facilities. Hybrid and remote work may be approved for employees based in Alaska at the University's discretion. Remote work for employees based outside the State of Alaska may be approved only in exceptional circumstances or when required by the position's job duties.

 

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction. Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

 

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

 

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

 

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

 

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

 

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.

 

Access to the reports is available at:

 

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or mailto:police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or mailto:uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu.

 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or mailto:uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

 

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing mailto:uas.clery@alaska.edu.

 

To apply, please visit: https://apptrkr.com/6906971

 

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