University of Alaska

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney stopped by the Empire offices in Juneau on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, to talk about the system's future. Mostly recovered from budget cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic, Pitney said the university is ready to start building Alaska's workforce. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Pitney: UA ready to train Alaska’s workforce

‘Getting people through the pipeline.’

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney stopped by the Empire offices in Juneau on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, to talk about the system's future. Mostly recovered from budget cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic, Pitney said the university is ready to start building Alaska's workforce. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
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 named UA President

After shedding interim label, she’s the first woman to hold the post.

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)
A student walks across the campus of the University of Alaska Southeast in this Feb. 4, 2021 file photo. An Anchorage Superior Court ruled Thursday against a group of UA students who had sued the state over funding for higher education scholarship programs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

Students appeal Superior Court ruling on higher education funds

Supreme Court to weigh in.

A student walks across the campus of the University of Alaska Southeast in this Feb. 4, 2021 file photo. An Anchorage Superior Court ruled Thursday against a group of UA students who had sued the state over funding for higher education scholarship programs. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
This October 2020 file photo shows the University of Alaska Southeast Campus, which doesn’t currently have a broad COVID-19 vaccine mandate but UA President Pat Pitney said Monday one would have to come eventually. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

UA president: No systemwide mandate for now, but vaccine requirement coming

It’s coming.

This October 2020 file photo shows the University of Alaska Southeast Campus, which doesn’t currently have a broad COVID-19 vaccine mandate but UA President Pat Pitney said Monday one would have to come eventually. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered the release of certain state funds Wednesday, including for the Alaska Performance Scholarship, which helps Alaskans pay for things like classes at the University of Alaska Southeast, shown in this October 2020 file photo. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

State releases scholarship, medical school program funding

Scholarships and public health.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy ordered the release of certain state funds Wednesday, including for the Alaska Performance Scholarship, which helps Alaskans pay for things like classes at the University of Alaska Southeast, shown in this October 2020 file photo. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
Insulation can be seen through broken shingles on the Novatney Building’s roof. Funding for maintenance work on the roof was among Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s over $215 million in budget cuts. Design work for the effort has long been completed, said UAS facilities maintenance and operations manager Adam Zenger. The roof does not currently leak, he said, but in light of roof’s condition he said there’s concern that could change. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

Scholarships and grants to continue but UAS roof will have to wait

UAS loses out on roof repair.

Insulation can be seen through broken shingles on the Novatney Building’s roof. Funding for maintenance work on the roof was among Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s over $215 million in budget cuts. Design work for the effort has long been completed, said UAS facilities maintenance and operations manager Adam Zenger. The roof does not currently leak, he said, but in light of roof’s condition he said there’s concern that could change. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)
Then-Gov. Sean Parnell speaks during an interview at the governor's mansion in July 2014. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Former governor selected to lead UAA

Begins in June.

Then-Gov. Sean Parnell speaks during an interview at the governor's mansion in July 2014. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
University of Alaska interim President Pat Pitney told lawmakers the system was an economic driver for the state. The system’s regional campuses, like UA Southeast, seen here on Jan. 26, were more focused on producing graduates in fields in high demand in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

University’s programs are here to stay, president says

Alaska’s system for higher education.

University of Alaska interim President Pat Pitney told lawmakers the system was an economic driver for the state. The system’s regional campuses, like UA Southeast, seen here on Jan. 26, were more focused on producing graduates in fields in high demand in Alaska. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Increased collaboration between the University of Alaska Southeast, seen here in this October 2020 file photo, and UA Fairbanks had led to greater enrollment in the university system's fisheries programs, according to UA Interim President Pat Pitney. Making Juneau a fisheries hub was mentioned as a way of increasing enrollment and better serving the state at a UA Regents meeting Friday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)

University of Alaska looks to a post-pandemic future

After a chaotic year, stability seems to have returned, and leaders are optimistic.

Increased collaboration between the University of Alaska Southeast, seen here in this October 2020 file photo, and UA Fairbanks had led to greater enrollment in the university system's fisheries programs, according to UA Interim President Pat Pitney. Making Juneau a fisheries hub was mentioned as a way of increasing enrollment and better serving the state at a UA Regents meeting Friday. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file)
University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Karen Carey was recently officially appointed to the position after serving as interim Chancellor since June. (Courtesy photo / University of Alaska Southeast)

University of Alaska Southeast announces its new chancellor

Excited for the job.

University of Alaska Southeast Chancellor Karen Carey was recently officially appointed to the position after serving as interim Chancellor since June. (Courtesy photo / University of Alaska Southeast)
From left, University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Daniel White, UA Anchorage Chancellor Cathy Sandeen and then-UA Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield speak at a UA Board of Regents meeting in Anchorage on July 30, 2019. Sandeen, the chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage has announced her intention to take a new position as the president of a California university, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.(AP Photo / Dan Joling)

Alaska university chancellor accepts new job in California

Her last day is early next year.

From left, University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Daniel White, UA Anchorage Chancellor Cathy Sandeen and then-UA Southeast Chancellor Rick Caulfield speak at a UA Board of Regents meeting in Anchorage on July 30, 2019. Sandeen, the chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage has announced her intention to take a new position as the president of a California university, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020.(AP Photo / Dan Joling)
The University of Alaska Southeast Juneau campus on July 31, 2020. UAS and Willamette University College of Law recently announced a direct admissions partnership between the two schools to try and make it easier for Alaskan students to study law. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

UAS and Willamette partner for law program

$10,000 in yearly scholarship will be available.

The University of Alaska Southeast Juneau campus on July 31, 2020. UAS and Willamette University College of Law recently announced a direct admissions partnership between the two schools to try and make it easier for Alaskan students to study law. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This screenshot from a project by University of Alaska Southeast postdoctoral researcher John Harley shows Alaska’s cities and census-designated places. Darker-colored areas on the map are communities with higher social vulnerability indices. (Screenshot)

Researcher hopes map project can aid pandemic response

Grant-funded effort offers a detailed look at where Alaska’s most at-risk populations live.

This screenshot from a project by University of Alaska Southeast postdoctoral researcher John Harley shows Alaska’s cities and census-designated places. Darker-colored areas on the map are communities with higher social vulnerability indices. (Screenshot)
Cautiously optimistic, UAS will open its doors

Cautiously optimistic, UAS will open its doors

Masks a must.

Cautiously optimistic, UAS will open its doors
The University of Alaska Board of Regents will meet this and next week to select an interim president. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

University board to meet to select interim president

Meetings scheduled for this and next week.

The University of Alaska Board of Regents will meet this and next week to select an interim president. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)
University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen speaks in July 2019 at a meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. Johnsen, the embattled University of Alaska president, has resigned, the university announced Monday, June 22, 2020. The change in leadership was a mutual decision made after Johnsen consulted with the Board of Regents, according to a statement. His biography was immediately removed from the university’s web page. (AP Photo | Dan Joling)

University of Alaska president resigns

An interim president will be named no later than July 15.

University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen speaks in July 2019 at a meeting in Anchorage, Alaska. Johnsen, the embattled University of Alaska president, has resigned, the university announced Monday, June 22, 2020. The change in leadership was a mutual decision made after Johnsen consulted with the Board of Regents, according to a statement. His biography was immediately removed from the university’s web page. (AP Photo | Dan Joling)
In this November 2019 photo, Jim Johnsen, president of the University of Alaska, is questioned by Kieran Poulson-Edwards, a writer for the Whalesong, the student newspaper at the University of Alaska Southeast, after Johnsen’s speech at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at the Moose Lodge. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

University of Alaska union calls for president’s resignation

Petition says he has “failed in all areas that matter to the academic mission.”

In this November 2019 photo, Jim Johnsen, president of the University of Alaska, is questioned by Kieran Poulson-Edwards, a writer for the Whalesong, the student newspaper at the University of Alaska Southeast, after Johnsen’s speech at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at the Moose Lodge. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Jim Johnsen, president of the University of Alaska, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at the Moose Lodge in November 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

University president withdraws from consideration for Wisconsin job

Says calling remains in Alaska.

Jim Johnsen, president of the University of Alaska, speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at the Moose Lodge in November 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
University of Alaska board votes for study on University of Alaska Southeast merger

University of Alaska board votes for study on University of Alaska Southeast merger

Just a study, not a decision.

University of Alaska board votes for study on University of Alaska Southeast merger
Regents have several options to consider for university restructuring

Regents have several options to consider for university restructuring

Still no single-accreditation system.

Regents have several options to consider for university restructuring