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.
September 11, 2026
August 26, 2026
Did you know UAA's automotive and diesel program is taught entirely by its own graduates?
July 22, 2026
Did you know three UAF researchers met for the first time in the Faroe Islands?
June 23, 2026
UAS Evening at Egan lectures to spotlight community, starting Sept. 18
September 18, 2026
The five-lecture series spans Indigenous language education, high-altitude agriculture, glacial floods and unlikely alliances.
University of Alaska Statewide AI Symposium
September 18, 2026
On Sept. 25 in Anchorage, University of Alaska professors will host a three-day symposium focusing on AI in Alaska.
Report finds University of Alaska generates $1.2 billion for Alaska's economy
September 18, 2026
Analysis from McKinley Research Group finds UA supports more than 10,000 jobs statewide, returns $1.80 for every state dollar invested.
UA Systemwide AI in Communications Guidelines now available
September 18, 2026
The UA System Office of Public Affairs has published the UA Systemwide AI in Communications Guidelines, developed over five months by a cross-functional working group of communications professionals from across the UA system.
More room to roam: Faculty/staff storage totals increase
September 18, 2026
UA faculty and staff will receive additional Google and Microsoft storage space as total storage limits increase from 15 GB to 20 GB. Learn what the change means and how storage limits will be implemented beginning Oct. 1.
Upcoming Google Workspace changes: What's happening
September 04, 2026
As previously shared, the University of Alaska has been working to better manage Google Workspace storage totals. The next few months bring some important, concrete steps toward that effort. Below is information about the additional changes users can expect.
Managing your digital footprint: Kaltura Media
August 20, 2026
Learn how to manage your Kaltura media library and prepare for upcoming accessibility and media retention changes.
August 20, 2026
The new Zoom Web experience will be enabled for all users on August 26th. It offers a unified, intuitive interface with a redesigned homepage, a universal header, and simplified navigation.