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.
January 27, 2026
Did you know the University of Alaska is a central figure in Alaska's emerging mariculture industry?
December 16, 2025
Did you know UA Scholars are sharing their success stories in a new video series?
November 25, 2025
Did You Know UAF is a national finalist to lead U.S. critical minerals innovation?
November 11, 2025
UA Disability Services "All Access" training session videos available
February 06, 2026
UA Disability Services will return with new "All Access, All the Time" staff and faculty support series programming in fall 2026. In the meantime, several popular training session recordings are now available for faculty and staff.
February 06, 2026
Funds will support process technology programs in Fairbanks, Kenai; enhance career opportunities for future generations.
Scholarship Review Committee Training Requirement
February 06, 2026
As we continue strengthening our shared commitment to timely and student-centered scholarship selections, we appreciate the vital partnership of our faculty and staff.
UAS, the Institute of American Indian Arts and Sealaska Heritage Institute sign new agreement
February 06, 2026
Memorandum of agreement renews shared commitment to Northwest Coast arts.
New requirements for digital accessibility are coming - are you prepared?
February 06, 2026
In April 2024, the DOJ issued a Final Rule under the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II requiring public entities, including universities, to meet new standards for digital accessibility and expanding the definition of the types of digital content that has to be accessible. This requirement extends to websites, mobile applications, electronic documents, videos, forms, and course materials.
Zoom Hub now available in Zoom Workplace
February 06, 2026
Zoom Hub is now enabled by default in the Zoom Workplace app for all new and existing Zoom accounts.
UA Google Workspace and Microsoft 365: storage changes and account cleanup
February 06, 2026
Google's recent decision to end unlimited storage for higher education is affecting colleges and universities nationwide -- including the University of Alaska.
UA Launches S2P modernization with strong systemwide kickoff
February 06, 2026
The University of Alaska officially launched its Source‑to‑Pay (S2P) Modernization Project this week with a successful systemwide kickoff meeting that drew more than 250 participants from across the system.