Pat Pitney named UA President

Appointment makes Pitney first woman in the role

Pat Pitney was named President of the University of Alaska Friday after serving as interim president for over a year. She is the first woman to hold the position in UA’s history. (Courtesy photo / University of Alaska)

Pat Pitney was named President of the University of Alaska Friday after serving as interim president for over a year. She is the first woman to hold the position in UA’s history. (Courtesy photo / University of Alaska)

The University of Alaska Board of Regents voted to make Pat Pitney president of the university system, a position she had been serving in an interim capacity since July 2020. She is the first woman to hold the position.

At a meeting Friday, regents voted unanimously to confirm Pitney, who took over the system after the departure of former president Jim Johnsen who left following criticism of his leadership.

“I am truly honored and humbled to lead this great university system. I am dedicated to continuing to build a strong team with shared governance, with our staff, and with each of our universities. I’m excited about our future,” Pitney said.

[TMHS seniors help power 30-point win in season’s last home game]

Pitney worked for University of Alaska Fairbanks for 17 years before becoming the director of the Division of Legislative Finance in 2014 and took the reins of the university amid deep budget cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic. Upon taking office, Pitney said she wanted to return a sense of stability to the system which had recently cut several programs amid a phased budget reduction Gov. Mike Dunleavy negotiated with the regents in 2019.

Cuts to the university system at one point threatened the consolidation of the three UA campuses into one or merging UA Southeast with UAF, but Pitney said early in her tenure those ideas were no longer being considered.

Earlier this month Pitney told the state Senate Education Committee the university was refining its programs to better meet the workforce demands of the state.

Also Friday, regents passed its strategic goals for the system, UA said in a news release, including specific measures that will document progress on each goal which Pitney said will serve as the university’s roadmap.

• Contact reporter Peter Segall at psegall@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @SegallJnuEmpire.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 17

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, listens to a presentation during a House Education Committee meeting May 3, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. Story has been named co-chair of the committee for the upcoming legislative session. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Rep. Andi Story to co-chair House Education Committee under new Democrat-led majority

Sara Hannan remains on Finance Committee as Juneau representatives look to play bigger roles

Larry Gamez and Rachel Ceja collect items for a Thanksgiving food basket to deliver to a house in the Mendenhall Valley on Saturday morning as part of St. Vincent de Paul’s annual distribution program. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Matching those hungry to help with those hungry to feast carries on as pre-Thanksgiving ritual

Food baskets delivered to hundreds of homes, food bank hosts annual drive on Saturday before holiday.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree reaches Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Nov. 20, to much celebration. (U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree photo)
Santa’s truck-driving helpers are east bound and down to Washington, DC

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree completes multiweek cross-country journey from Wrangell.

The Palmer project would sit in the watershed of the Chilkat River, pictured here. (Scott McMurren/Flickr under Creative Commons license 2.0)
Japanese smelting giant pulls out of major Southeast Alaska mining project

Palmer development, above the salmon-bearing Chilkat River, has for years fueled political divisions.

Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
JPD’s daily incident reports getting thinner and vaguer. Why and does it matter?

Average of 5.12 daily incidents in October down from 10.74 a decade ago; details also far fewer.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, Nov. 18, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read