February 20, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 20, 2026 

University of Alaska Regents praise continued progress on student support and success initiatives

February meeting in Dillingham highlights improvements in enrollment, recruitment, retention, graduation

(DILLINGHAM) - The University of Alaska (UA) Board of Regents met at the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ (UAF) Bristol Bay campus in Dillingham, continuing a tradition of holding one meeting per year at a community campus. The last time the board met in Dillingham was in April 2010. Board members received progress updates on their Roadmap to Empower Alaska strategic plan, approved revised budget requests, and received a detailed briefing on UA’s broad academic portfolio.

“From short-term career and technical certificates to 2-year degrees with pathways to baccalaureate and advanced degrees, our community campuses like Bristol Bay in Dillingham provide workforce training at every level of employment,” Board Chair Scott Jepsen said. 

Academic and Student Outcomes

Interim Bristol Bay Campus Director Alyssa McDonald welcomed the board to Dillingham and provided a brief interview of the important role that the university plays in the region - an area the size of the state of New York - including along the Aleutian Chain and Southwestern Alaska. An example is the alternative energy program they have, which trains solar installers in the region to help combat high energy costs. As part of the student spotlight, Bristol Bay Campus student Beatrice Bagley shared her experience as a student, the role the Rural Alaska Honors Institute played in preparing her for post-secondary education, and the special place support staff and faculty play in student success.

The board also discussed progress toward the goals established through the Roadmap to Empower Alaska. The goals adopted by the Board of Regents were developed in consultation with students, staff, faculty, and other university stakeholders, and represent specific aspirations for the university system as a whole. Key highlights included increased applications at all three universities, and progress on efforts to simplify UA’s tuition model.

“With enrollment growing by 4.6% last fall and increasing applications for next year, it is clear that the Students First Action Agenda is making a difference in our efforts to improve student recruitment, retention, and speeding time to graduation,” President Pitney said. “I commend the staff and faculty who have been working tirelessly on these efforts and their positive outcomes on student success.”

UAF Interim Chancellor Mike Sfraga led the board through a “deep dive” of his institution. UAF is America’s Arctic University, and the presentation explored the unique opportunities it brings to the UA system. UA’s quality of faculty, research opportunities, and federal agency partnerships position the institution well to weather ongoing uncertainty at the federal level. Sfraga also revealed plans to rename the West Ridge of the Troth Yeddha’ Campus as the Arctic Research Park to better recognize the world-class research conducted there and UAF’s role as an elite Arctic research institution.

During the Academic and Student Affairs committee meeting on Wednesday, Vice President and Chief Academic Officer Brian Smentkowski led the board through a comprehensive review of UA’s Academic Portfolio. The spring portfolio presentation provides a snapshot of academic programs offered across the system, enrollment trends, degrees conferred, and the impact of UA programs on Alaska’s workforce. Notably, 3,421 degrees were conferred in the 2024-2025 academic year. Additional presentations on high-demand programs, capacity and targeted cost and personnel assessments are planned for the September and November board meetings.

The committee also discussed efforts to streamline student tuition and fees and increase tuition transparency, and was updated on progress toward process improvements and behind-the-scenes technology developments designed to improve the student experience and enrollment, retention and graduation.

Budget and Strategic Investments

President Pitney and Vice President for University Relations Michelle Rizk led the board through a discussion on UA’s FY26 Supplemental Budget requests and revised FY27 Operating and Capital Budget requests. The FY26 supplemental requests will allow UA to receive additional funds from non-state sources, and the revised FY27 requests include funding for recently reached tentative agreements (TAs) on contracts with the Fairbanks Fire Fighters Union (Local 1324) and the Local 6070 (Crafts and Trades) Union.

Ongoing efforts to expand student housing at UAF and the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) were presented during the Facilities and Land Management Committee on Tuesday. Both universities have identified limited housing availability as a key restraint on enrollment growth and will present updates on their housing revitalization proposals, which have been in the works since last year. Funding for the projects was part of the Board of Regents capital budget requests under consideration for legislative appropriation.

During the Audit and Finance Committee Meeting on Tuesday, UA Chief Financial Officer Luke Fulp provided a briefing on university finances. The board also received updates on ongoing internal and external audits.

“I’m pleased we have managed through the federal uncertainties over the last year,” remarked President Pitney. “The university is on stable fiscal footing, thanks in large part to our diverse revenue stream and certainty of state support. That stability is paramount to our reputation, and UA is the trusted partner to serve Alaskans and our industries going forward. 

Recognizing Transitions

Chief Human Resources Officer Nickole Conley updated board members and the public on the status of the ongoing search for UA’s president. The board has retained WittKieffer, an executive search firm, to assist with the search, and they report strong interest and responses so far. President Pitney will retire in May after over 3 decades of service to UA and the state of Alaska. The board launched a national search for her replacement in January. The details, search timeline, and position profile are available online at alaska.edu/pres/pres-search.

The board recognized Ronalda Cadiente Brown, who retired in December after nearly 45 years of dedication to education and 19 years of service to the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS). Among other accomplishments, Cadiente Brown led the PITAAS (Preparing Indigenous Teachers and Administrators for Alaska Schools) program during her tenure and expanded its reach statewide. PITAAS supports students who are members of federally recognized tribes in Alaska who want to become teachers and administrators in Alaska’s schools in collaboration with tribal organizations. Today PITAAS graduates are employed by 30 of 54 school districts across the state.

In her opening comments, President Pitney also recognized the passing of long-time university leader and former UAF Community and Technical College Dean Michelle Stalder, reading from a post that her son had written in tribute to her. 

 “The number of lives Michelle touched, you can't count,” added President Pitney. “We lost her too soon.”

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.