The University of 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 Grace Schaible House, 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 UAlaskaPresident@wittkieffer.com
The University of Alaska is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution. The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.