Dr. Charlene Stern was named Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor in May 2025, after serving as the Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community and Native Education since December 2021. Prior to that appointment, Dr. Stern taught as faculty in UAF’s Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development receiving tenure and promotion to the rank of Associate Professor in 2021. 

Dr. Stern holds a bachelor’s degree in American cultural studies from Western Washington University, a master’s degree in community and regional planning from the University of New Mexico, and a doctorate in Indigenous studies from UAF. She has served as a principal/co-investigator on numerous National Science Foundation grant projects including Tamamta and an Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers award focused on drones education. Dr. Stern has been awarded several fellowships including from the Andrew K. Mellon Foundation and the Henry Luce Foundation. 

Born and raised in Interior Alaska, Dr. Stern is an enrolled member of the Native Village of Venetie Tribal Government and has served on numerous boards including Tanana Chiefs Conference, Fairbanks Native Association, and the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States. Prior to her career at UAF, Dr. Stern worked as a professional planner providing technical assistance to tribal and municipal governments in Alaska.