Mission
The Vice President for Academics, Students & Research, directs a division of services including Academic Affairs, Research, Workforce Programs, Student Success, and Distance Education. The Vice President works with the UA campuses on academic and research initiatives and collaborations to promote research in Alaska. The University of Alaska is committed to working closely with all federal and state agencies and private enterprise to further develop collaboration and new exposures for future growth in all areas of science and technology.
Dr. Brian Smentkowski
Vice President and Chief Academic Officer
(907) 450-8019
bpsmentkowski@alaska.edu
System-level Coordination
ACEC facilitates inter-university coordination and communication to meet the goals
of UA's Schools of Education
Common Calendar 2018 - 2022
The Faculty Alliance Common Calendar Committee has developed a common calendar, coordinating
start dates and breaks throughout the system, and are further developing coordinated
course starting time alignment to facilitate cross-university instruction.
Information on Accreditation
All three universities, UAA, UAF, and UAS, and their respective Community Colleges
are fully accredited. In addition to institutional accreditation from the Northwest
Commission on Colleges and Universities, UA has more than 60 program/specialized accreditations
across the system.
March 24, 2026
February 24, 2026
January 27, 2026
Did you know the University of Alaska is a central figure in Alaska's emerging mariculture industry?
December 16, 2025
It's Time to Vote. (and a recap of this week's townhall.)
March 20, 2026
Voting in the CAUSE union election has opened. Be sure to cast your ballot. More than 350 staff tuned in to or attended UAF's listening session with President Pitney. Those who are interested have access to a recording.
Capitol Report: March 20, 2026
March 20, 2026
Higher Oil Prices Improve State's Revenue Outlook as Legislative Session Reaches Halfway Point; House and Senate Seek Path Forward on Supplemental Budget; Rep. Josephson Selected to Have Legislative Records Preserved for UAA's Alaska Leaders Archive
Upcoming Changes for Web Time Entry in UAOnline
March 20, 2026
The new web time entry process will take effect for the R11 pay period, beginning on May 3, 2026. Here is a sneak peek at what will be changing. More information will be shared in the coming weeks.
The 49 hours that make a difference: UA Giving Day 2026
March 20, 2026
Scholarships and student support will take center stage for UA Giving Day, the University of Alaska's 49‑hour online fundraising event dedicated to expanding opportunities for UA students.
Google Departmental Shared Drives Help Teams Manage Storage
March 20, 2026
As the University of Alaska prepares for new storage limits in Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, departments are encouraged to review how their files are stored and shared. One of the most effective ways to manage storage and reduce duplication is by using departmental shared drives.
Managing Your UA Storage: Prepare for Upcoming Changes
March 06, 2026
The University of Alaska is implementing storage limits for UA Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 accounts. Since UA now pays for the storage it uses, predefined storage amounts have been established in order to responsibly manage these new costs.
UA formalizes digital accessibility standard
February 19, 2026
Across the UA System work is underway to meet the new rule established by the Department of Education requiring higher standards for digital accessibility in advance of the April 2026 compliance deadline.
UA Google Workspace and Microsoft 365: Announcing Storage Limits
February 19, 2026
As previously shared, Google is changing how storage works for its higher education accounts, and the University of Alaska is preparing for those changes.