May 22, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 21, 2025 

UA Regents Approve FY26 Budgets Prioritizing Stability, Strategic Investment Amid Tightening State, Uncertain Federal Environments

Budgets awaiting governor’s signature allow UA to maintain stability, focus on student success; Regents, President Pitney honor employee excellence

(FAIRBANKS) - The University of Alaska (UA) Board of Regents approved FY26 budget requests, heard highlights on student success efforts, and recognized the incredible contributions of current and outgoing university staff at its May 21-22 Board meeting in Fairbanks. The approval of the operating and capital budgets comes just weeks after the universities completed commencement exercises statewide, awarding nearly 3,300 degrees and certificates to more than 3,200 students.

“Congratulations to the UA graduating class of 2025! UA graduates empower Alaska and Alaska’s future,” said UA Board of Regents Chair Ralph Seekins. We are incredibly proud of your accomplishments and look forward to seeing the impact you’ll have on our state and beyond.” 

The approved budgets, which have passed the Alaska Legislature and now await approval by the governor, allow the university to maintain the momentum demonstrated over the last several years.

The operating budget contains an Unrestricted General Fund (UGF) appropriation of $351.5 million, a 6% increase from the prior year. That includes approximately 75% of the Board’s November budget request for compensation and fixed costs. 

  • Budget requests for athletics, the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ (UAF) drive for R1 research status, and efforts in recruitment, retention, and graduation were not funded in the operating budget. They remain important priorities, and UA leadership and the Board discussed alternative ways to support those efforts, including continued access to the funding previously appropriated for R1 status, which remains and will continue to be utilized.

All employees will receive the across-the-board 2.75% compensation increase. While the operating budget does not include the Board’s request for salary increases for non-union employees, funding distribution for UA is at the discretion of the Board, and the commitment to pay increases for staff will be prioritized.

The capital budget includes $13.3 million in state funding and $87.5 million in receipt authority for a total of $100.8 million. The Board of Regents requested a $306.4 million ($127.6 million in state funding and $178.8 million in receipt authority) FY26 capital budget in November. Key funded items include:

  • $10 million for deferred maintenance needs system-wide;

  • $1.25 million for the UAA Leaders Archives Consortium Library renovation; 

  • $2 million UAS mariculture program expansion; and 

  • $53 million in receipt authority to accept private donations to the UAF Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center. 

The $10 million for deferred maintenance is critical for UA and will support needed improvements to student housing at UAA, as well as repair and renovate UAS’s water main system. A portion will also support past due roofing projects at UAF, including the University Park building that will accommodate a child care center. Federal funding to complete the conversion of part of the space into a child care center was secured thanks to the efforts of U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski.

“The Board has intentionally adopted a budgetary approach that balances fiscal restraint with specific investments in our university system, and that approach continues to yield positive results, including institutional stabilization and enrollment growth,” Chair Seekins said. “I’m grateful to the Legislature for passing a budget that allows UA to continue those efforts. As the state budget environment contracts and uncertainty at the federal level remains, the Board will continue working with President Pitney and university leadership to further improve efficiency while maintaining progress on student enrollment and success, and sustaining our universities for future generations of Alaskans.”

The Board also heard updates from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), UA CFO Luke Fulp, and UA’s state and federal relations teams on the budget and policy outlooks at the state and federal levels. The Regents adopted budgets and provided direction to the President and universities to prioritize continued efforts on recruitment, retention, and graduation to help drive enrollment growth. 

“The past several years of financial stability have led to strong enrollment growth and increased public confidence in UA,” said UA President Pat Pitney. “Alaskans recognize that UA empowers the state, with programs at UAA, UAF, and UAS focused on meeting workforce needs. In the coming year, our focus will remain on addressing the challenges at the state and federal levels, and maintaining our commitment to helping every student succeed.”

Facilitating and Supporting Student Success

During committee meetings on Wednesday, Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) Executive Director Kerry Thomas and Director of Communications and Outreach Kate Hillenbrand shared the latest Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) outcomes data. Since its creation in 2012, APS has awarded over $126 million to Alaska students. Legislative changes to the program in 2024 improve flexibility and have already expanded access. 2025 results show record-breaking milestones, including:

  • 3,745 APS-eligible graduates - the largest number to date

  • 45% of the high school class of 2024 qualified - the highest eligibility rate yet

  • 2,180 Level 1 eligible students - another record high

  • $13 million awarded in FY25 - the largest total in the program’s history

“UA’s affordability remains an important part of our ability to attract and retain students, and the Alaska Performance Scholarship is a key part of that package,” said UA President Pat Pitney. “I’m pleased to see the strides made since the passage of HB 148 last year, and look forward to continued growth as we partner with school districts, ACPE, and the Department of Education to help students make the most of the opportunity APS provides.”

Also on Wednesday, President Pitney recognized UA’s “Staff Make Students Count” award recipients.  The award recognizes staff who have provided outstanding service to UA students. 

  • University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA): Zac Clark, Associate Director of Student Life and Leadership

  • UAF: Lynnette Dunn, Office Manager, Department of Geosciences, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

  • University of Alaska Southeast (UAS): Aimee Richards, Career Services Manager

Recipients receive an award plaque, $1,000, and two domestic Alaska Airlines vouchers. They were chosen by their respective staff councils after nominations by students and peers.

“On behalf of the Board and administration, I congratulate Lynnette, Aimee, and Zac on their awards,” President Pitney said. “Your dedication to students and student success is representative of staff across the system, and we’re grateful for all you do.”

Regents also received an update on the Alaska Native Success Initiative (ANSI) from Kristel Komakhuk and the ANSI leads from UAA, UAF, and UAS.

Recognizing Decades of Service

On Thursday, Regents approved resolutions thanking five former and outgoing UA employees and board members. They represent more than 60 years of service to UA.

  • Associate General Counsel Andy Harrington will retire in July, concluding a 40+ year legal career focused on public service and access to justice in Alaska.

  • UAF Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Anupma Prakash will retire at the end of May, capping two decades of distinguished leadership and research.

  • Former Board of Regents Executive Officer Brandi Berg retired at the end of February after 23 years of service to UA, including 13 as board executive officer.

  • Former UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell retired in May after nearly four years as chancellor and a long career of public service to the people of Alaska.

  • Outgoing Student Regent Albiona Selimi graduated earlier this month and will officially conclude her two-year term on June 30, after which she plans to attend law school.

“Each of these individuals has left a lasting mark on the University of Alaska and the state,” President Pitney said. “Their leadership, service, and commitment to public good reflect the best of what we aspire to as an institution. I thank them for their dedication and wish them well in the next chapter.”

Regent Selimi’s role will be filled by UAF’s Fernando Escobar, whose appointment to the Board was approved by the Legislature earlier this session, along with newly appointed Regent Christine Resler, and reappointed Regent Karen Perdue. UAF Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community, and Native Education (VCRNE) Charlene Stern will serve as interim provost at UAF. Former UAA Kenai Peninsula College Director Cheryl Siemers is serving as interim chancellor at UAA while the search for a new permanent chancellor is underway.

The University of Alaska Board of Regents is an 11-member volunteer board, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Alaska Legislature. Members serve an eight-year term, with the exception of the student regent, who serves a two-year term. The board was established through the Alaska Constitution and is responsible for University of Alaska policy and management through the university president.

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For more information, contact Jonathon Taylor, director of public affairs, at 907-350-0168 (cell), or via email at jmtaylor9@alaska.edu.