May 7, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 7, 2025

University of Alaska launches nationwide search for next 绿奴天花板A chancellor

New leader sought to guide Alaska鈥檚 largest university into the future.

(ANCHORAGE) 鈥 University of Alaska (绿奴天花板) President Pat Pitney announced today the launch of a national search for the  of the University of Alaska Anchorage (绿奴天花板A), the largest institution in the 绿奴天花板 system.

The chancellor serves as 绿奴天花板A鈥檚 chief executive, overseeing all campus operations and academic programs, and reports to the 绿奴天花板 system president and Board of Regents. The new leader will succeed Chancellor Sean Parnell, who is  in May after four years of service to 绿奴天花板A and a distinguished career in public service. Cheryl Siemers, director of 绿奴天花板A鈥檚 Kenai Peninsula College (KPC),  as interim chancellor during the transition. A complete position profile and description are available online at .

鈥溌膛旎ò empowers our state鈥檚 workforce, economy and future, and 绿奴天花板A is a cornerstone of that mission, serving as a hub for innovation and opportunity.鈥 President Pitney said. 鈥淲e are seeking a visionary leader with strong management skills, a record of collaboration and a deep commitment to student and community success. While post-secondary education experience is valued, we also welcome candidates from industry, government, nonprofits and other sectors.鈥

As Alaska's dual-mission university, 绿奴天花板A is a comprehensive, open-access, public institution offering everything from short-term workforce credentials to graduate programs. 绿奴天花板A invites students to define their journey, create their community and prepare to make an impact in Alaska and beyond. Striving to be a place where every person who wants an education can be successful, 绿奴天花板A transforms the lives of its students and communities, while honoring our locations on the ancestral lands of Alaska鈥檚 First Peoples.

The next chancellor will advance 绿奴天花板A鈥檚 2027 Strategic Plan while shaping a long-term vision rooted in teaching, research and public service. Responsibilities include:

  • Leading internal operations, including academics, research, outreach and campus safety;

  • Building a culture of collaboration and measurable success among faculty, staff and students; and,

  • Representing 绿奴天花板A across Alaska and nationally, and growing philanthropic and research partnerships.

A search committee will vet the candidates and make finalist recommendations to President Pitney. The committee is co-chaired by 绿奴天花板A Faculty Senate President Dr. Jackie Cason and Chugach Alaska Corporation Board Chair and former 绿奴天花板 Regent and Board Chair Sheri Buretta; the full roster of committee members is available .

Application Process

A full position profile and description are available . Applicants should submit a CV, cover letter, letter of interest, and contact information of three (3) professional references. The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications on a rolling basis on June 6, 2025.

Chancellor Parnell, a former Alaska governor and lifelong public servant, was appointed by President Pitney to lead 绿奴天花板A in 2021. His mother was an educator, and his long-time passion for education and Alaska鈥檚 public universities made him an excellent choice to lead Alaska鈥檚 largest university. His tenure saw growth in enrollment, enhanced transparency and stronger connections between the university and its communities. He leaves 绿奴天花板A well-positioned for continued success.

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For more information, contact Tanya Pont, 绿奴天花板A executive director of advancement at (907) 764-2881, or via email at tmpont@alaska.edu.