President, Education ​/ Teaching

Position Overview

The University of Alaska seeks a visionary, strategic, and collaborative leader with experience managing large, complex organizations 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. 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 eleven 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 academic 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 UA system provides the vast majority of Alaska’s postsecondary education, conferring 90 % of the state’s higher‑education degrees. Ninety percent of students who graduated between 2011 and 2023 were working in the state within a year of graduation, and 75 % stayed and worked long‑term.

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 President will: oversee an authorized budget of approximately $1.1 billion, including roughly $331 million of unrestricted general funds; lead a geographically vast, research‑intensive, and workforce‑driven system; spearhead enrollment growth strategies; strengthen partnerships with Tribal and Alaska Native organizations; modernize operations; and represent the system in state, national, and international forums.

– Proven experience managing large, complex organizations and leading strategic transformation. – Demonstrated ability to secure and steward significant public and private resources. – Strong political, financial, and relational acumen, with a commitment to serving diverse communities. – Visionary leadership that fosters academic excellence, research innovation, and workforce development. – U.S. lawful authorization to work without restriction; visa sponsorship will not be considered.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Candidates must submit a CV or résumé and a letter of interest that addresses the leadership themes outlined in the search profile. Applications should be received by March 5, 2026.

Submit materials to:
Melody Rose, Ph.D., Shelley Arakawa, J.D., and Maya Holt‑Brockenbrough, Ph.D. at UAl

The University of Alaska (UA) 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.