Teri Cothren began her career in workforce development at the University of Alaska
Anchorage (UAA) shortly after graduating from UAA and later transitioned to the System
Office where she has served in various workforce development roles and currently as
Associate Vice President of Workforce Development. In this capacity she is an associate
member of the UA Community Campus Directors Council, member of the National Association
of State Directors of Advance Career and Technical Education (CTE), served in various
board positions and continues to be involved as an engaged member and committee participant
for the ½ûÂþÌìÌÃAssociation for Career and Technical Education, member of the Board
of Directors for the ½ûÂþÌìÌÃSafety Alliance, chair of the UA Fisheries, Seafood and
Maritime Initiative, co-chair of the ½ûÂþÌìÌÃMaritime Education Consortium, and vice
chair of the ½ûÂþÌìÌÃACT Council. Cothren also is an active member with CTE partners
around the state, including the ½ûÂþÌìÌÃDepartments of Labor and Workforce Development
and Education and Early Development, to implement the ½ûÂþÌìÌÃCareer and Technical
Education Plan and other industry workforce development plans for health, maritime,
mining and oil & gas. In 2016, Cothren received the UA Statewide President's Spotlight
Award for her contributions in CTE and workforce development.
Cothren is an alumna of UAA, obtaining an undergraduate degree in psychology, and
UAA Athletics Women's Basketball. She completed a Master of Public Administration
from University of ½ûÂþÌìÌÃSoutheast in 2022 and was recognized by the program faculty
as a recipient of the Ernest Gruening Award for Outstanding Graduate.
