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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 21, 2025 

University of ��������Regents adopts comprehensive strategy on recruitment, retention, graduation

Meeting at Kenai River Campus showcases university’s vital role in empowering Alaska

(FAIRBANKS) - The University of ��������(UA) Board of Regents adopted key recommendations on recruitment, retention and graduation during its February 20-21 meeting at the University of ��������Anchorage’s (UAA) Kenai Peninsula College Kenai River Campus (KRC). The recommendations will build on and expand current efforts to recruit more students, elevate their experience and empower them to join Alaska’s workforce. 

“UA’s universities and community campuses are a vital part of communities statewide,” said UA Board of Regents Chair Ralph Seekins. “On behalf of the entire Board and President Pitney, I thank KRC for hosting us for this meeting, and for showcasing how our community campuses help empower Alaska. We look forward to future meetings at community campuses in the coming years.”

Regents are requesting an additional $5 million in state funding to support initiatives. UA is also redirecting $1 million from this year’s Natural Resource Funds to jumpstart the recommendations.

The Board also addressed recent policy changes and direction at the federal level. Regents approved a motion directing the president and chancellors to update policy, regulation and other communications to emphasize the values of equal access and equal opportunity for all. They also affirmed that the university remains an equal access, equal-opportunity employer, educational institution and provider that complies with and enforces federal and state nondiscrimination laws and emphasized their commitment to ensuring our universities’ learning and work environments remain welcoming to all.

“For more than 100 years, UA has been and shall remain a beacon of learning, knowledge, and opportunity for all, and the Board is committed to maintaining that legacy.” Chair Seekins said. “We also remain deeply committed to honoring ��������Native culture and embracing our global leadership position in ��������Native and Indigenous programs. While the Board believes these steps are necessary to ensure compliance with recent federal executive actions, the Board of Regents, and therefore the UA system, remain committed to fostering an environment where all individuals have the opportunity to succeed and thrive.”

The Board also conditionally approved UA’s tentative agreement with United Academics (UNAC) on a new collective bargaining agreement, the bargaining unit that represents most of UA’s faculty. The approved agreement is conditioned on subsequent ratification by UNAC membership, which is expected next week, and approval by the State’s Department of Administration (DOA) and the Legislature.

“I commend the hard work and effort put in by the Board and staff as we’ve developed these recommendations on recruitment, retention, and graduation, and for the feedback from our students, staff and faculty,” said UA President Pat Pitney. “These recommendations will empower our ongoing efforts to build and educate Alaskans and Alaska’s workforce, and I look forward to their implementation.”

Empowering ��������- Workforce Development, AI and Hockey

The Board held their meeting at KRC, which is one of three UAA community campuses that form Kenai Peninsula College (KPC). KPC serves more than 4,000 students each year where they find their place and pursue unique academic goals in various disciplines and degree programs. Regents toured some of the facilities that support AAs degrees in Paramedical Technology, Process Technology, and many others. KRC’s flexibility allows students to engage in lectures and learning online while offering short-term lab intensives where students come to campus for necessary hands-on training for these fields. More information about KPC, KRC, and all of UA’s community campuses is available here. The Board’s next meeting at a community campus will be in Dillingham in February, 2026.

The Board of Regents authorized UAA to develop a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Seawolf Hockey Alliance (SHA) to deliver a Division 1 competitive community ice complex on the Anchorage Campus. The MOU will serve as a framework for any future agreements, and will allow UAA and SHA to consider potential options for funding and building a new hockey arena on the UAA Main Campus. Additional steps and Board approval would be required before any funds are spent or a faculty is built.

During Thursday’s committees, Regents were also updated on UAA’s work in AI education, workforce development and research by Dr. Helena Wisniewski, UAA professor of entrepreneurship and chair of the College of Business and Public Policy. The Board discussed ways to integrate AI education into curricula and the growing range of courses and credentials to train future workforce across the system. AI is everywhere, transforming multiple industries and necessitating new skills that are crucial for the future workforce, providing a perfect opportunity for Alaska’s universities to train the future workforce.

Advancing the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center

To continue building on the fundraising momentum for the UAF Troth Yeddha' Indigenous Studies Center, the Board authorized UAF to match up to $10 million in funds raised. The Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center at the University of ��������Fairbanks (UAF) is the UA system’s top fundraising priority. The Center will serve as a central ��������Native gathering place with classes, services and activities as a breathtaking tribute that affirms ��������Native culture and contributions across Alaska. With growing enrollment of Indigenous students and a history steeped in culture, the Center will champion a path forward to honor Alaska’s First Peoples, meet the current and future campus demands and prepare the University for academic growth. 

The University of ��������Board of Regents is an 11-member volunteer board, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the ��������Legislature. Members serve an eight-year term, with the exception of the student regent, who serves a two-year term. The board was established through the ��������Constitution and is responsible for University of ��������policy and management through the university president.

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For more information, contact Jonathon Taylor, director of public affairs at 907-350-0168 (cell), or via email at jmtaylor9@alaska.edu.