2015-2020 James R. Johnsen
Dr. Jim Johnsen was appointed to serve as the 14th president of the University of ½ûÂþÌìÌÃon July 28, 2015. He resigned in June 2020. His previous experience includes service as an executive with ½ûÂþÌìÌÃCommunications and previously with Doyon, Limited. President Johnsen also served the University of ½ûÂþÌìÌÃbetween 1996-2008, in several executive roles including vice president of administration and chief of staff.
President Johnsen is passionate about higher education and economic opportunity, having served as chair of the ½ûÂþÌìÌÃCommission on Postsecondary Education, vice chair of the ½ûÂþÌìÌÃStudent Loan Corporation, vice chair of the University of ½ûÂþÌìÌÃFoundation, commissioner on the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education, member of the ½ûÂþÌìÌÃState Committee on Research, and member of the Board of Directors of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce.
He served as a commissioner on the Denali Commission, a member of the ½ûÂþÌìÌÃAerospace Corporation board, the UA Foundation Board of Trustees, and the ½ûÂþÌìÌÃland Security Academic Advisory Council. His education includes a B.A. in politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, a master’s in political science from the University of Chicago, and a doctorate in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Johnsen and his wife, Mary, who is retired, have two grown children, both born and raised in Alaska.