Who runs UAA?

Board of Regents

Board of Regents leadership, known as BOR, consists of 11 members selected by the governor. Each regent is eligible to serve on the board for eight years.

The BOR includes a student regent who is also appointed by the governor. The current student regent is Fernando Escobar from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The board holds public meetings to discuss and vote on proposals set forth by UA system administrators.

University of Alaska

UA oversees the three publicly funded universities in Alaska: University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Southeast and University of Alaska Anchorage.

According to previous reporting by The Northern Light, the annual budget for UA system universities is nearly $1 billion, and the State of Alaska pays for roughly a third of that amount. The rest is funded by student fees, grants and federal funding.

UA’s current president is Pat Pitney, who recently announced her retirement on Nov. 13. The board is now searching for a new president.

There are several departments under the president’s authority: general legal counsel, human resources, planning and budget, information technology, and students and research.

Vice President and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Brian Smentkowski maintains a direct line of communication with the president regarding UA system affairs.  

University of Alaska Anchorage

The highest leadership position at UAA is occupied by Interim Chancellor Cheryl Siemers. Siemers was appointed as interim chancellor after former Chancellor Sean Parnell resigned in May 2025. 

Siemers previously held the role of assistant director of academic affairs at the Kenai Peninsula College, known as KPC. She started working in the UA system in 2002 as a professor at KPC.

Vice chancellors oversee student affairs, administrative services, university advancement, and research.

Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Dr. Denise Runge provides leadership for UAA’s academic mission.

Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services Ryan Bucholdt supports the chancellor by making administrative decisions and consulting the chancellor on UAA issues.

There are 14 members in the chancellor's cabinet. Many are vice chancellors, directors, or other administrative positions. One member of the cabinet is USUAA President Arel Gutierrez. 

The dean of students at UAA is Benjamin Morton. Each academic department has its own dean. 

The dean of students’ role at UAA is to respond to student conduct concerns, crises involving students, complaints and to hold educational programs for students. 

Common names students may see in emails include: Kathy Craft, who serves as the interim dean of the College of Health, Tonia Dousay as the dean of the School of Education, Jenny McNulty is the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Kenrick Mock is the dean of the College of Engineering.

A list of all UAA deans can be found on UAA’s administration website.