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.
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
Did you know UA Scholars are sharing their success stories in a new video series?
November 25, 2025
March 06, 2026
UA House Finance Subcommittee Closes - Employee Compensation, Public Safety and Student Mental Health Services Funded for UAA, UAF, and UAS; Public Testimony Opportunities Coming up.
Capitol Report: February 27, 2026
March 06, 2026
UA House Finance Subcommittee, Led by Rep. Galvin, Nears Wrap-Up; UA Officials and Advocates Encourage Stability; Higher Education Investment Fund (HEIF) Replenishment Remains in Supplemental Budget Package.
Are you promoting UA Giving Day?
March 06, 2026
UA Giving Day is all about connecting alumni and our communities with the University of Alaska. Please review this important fundraising guide and creative toolkit before you promote UA Giving Day or ask for gifts as a university leader for your college/school/program area.
University of Alaska Regents praise continued progress on student support and success initiatives
February 20, 2026
Regents meeting at UAF's Bristol Bay Campus discussed enrollment growth, recruitment and retention outcomes, and advanced revised FY27 operating and capital budget requests.
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.
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.