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.
June 10, 2025
May 27, 2025
May 13, 2025
April 08, 2025
Alaska SBDC offers free 'Starting a Business' class, June 24 in Anchorage
June 20, 2025
The Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will offer a free "Starting a Business' class on June 24. This is an in person workshop on and participants are recommended to register early, as seating is limited.
UA Federal Relations team listening sessions on FY26 budget continued
June 20, 2025
In an effort to gather as much information as possible on impacts of the FY 26 budget request, the UA Federal Relations Team will continue holding listening sessions next week on the budget request for NASA and the Department of Education (ED).
Summer newsletter schedule adjusted for July and August
June 20, 2025
The employee newsletter will follow a modified summer schedule in July and August, with editions publishing on the second and fourth Fridays. The regular schedule resumes in September.
Alaska EPSCoR In a Time of Change program call for artists
June 20, 2025
Over two years, artists-in-residence will work with scientists and communities to investigate coastal dynamics, maritime livelihoods, and social-ecological well-being in the Gulf of Alaska region.
Faculty and Advisor Menu in UAOnline Scheduled to Be Upgraded Late July
June 20, 2025
In late July, the Faculty and Advisor menu and pages in UAOnline will be upgraded to the newest version. This change is part of a board initiative to modernize UA's student information systems (SIS), business-critical processes, applications, and infrastructure.
UA System Office Concludes Google Photos Access; Prepares for December Storage Deadline
June 06, 2025
As part of ongoing efforts to manage digital storage, OIT officially ended access to Google Photos within UA Google Workspace as planned on May 31, 2025. This move aligns with UA's broader strategy to comply with Google's updated storage policies and to mitigate escalating storage costs.
Advanced Security Awareness Program (ASAP) Updates and May Raffle Winner
June 06, 2025
This May, the Advanced Security Awareness Program (ASAP) continued to make strides in strengthening cybersecurity awareness at the University of Alaska with the help of its participants across the state.
Faculty and advisor menu in UAOnline scheduled to be upgraded late July
June 06, 2025
In late July, the Faculty and Advisor menu and pages in UAOnline will be upgraded to the newest version. This upgrade is part of a broader initiative to modernize UA's student information systems (SIS), business-critical processes, applications, and infrastructure.