University of Alaska

Honoring Dr. Paul Layer’s Career at UA After 35 years of service, Dr. Paul Layer is retiring as Vice President for Academics, Students, and Research. From his early days as an assistant professor of geophysics to serving as a department chair, dean, and ultimately VP/CAO, Dr. Layer has made an extraordinary impact on the University of Alaska System. At the recent Board of Regents meeting, Dr. Layer, joined by his wife, was honored with a resolution of appreciation for his many contributions, including: ?? Established UA’s 40-Argon/39-Argon geochronology lab, advancing volcanic and tectonic research. ?? Led annual Brooks Range field trips, inspiring hands-on learning for geoscience students. ?? Hosted Friday night gatherings at the UAF pub, building community one conversation at a time. Thank you, Paul Layer, for your dedication, leadership, and the countless ways you’ve strengthened UA. Wishing you a retirement filled with family, adventures, and Miata rides! ?? We put together a highlight album of Paul's years at UAF and UA. Enjoy! (First 7 photos: UAF, final photo: UA)

Did you know? For over 30 years, UAF researchers have been uncovering how Arctic ground squirrels survive Alaska’s intense winters. This research isn’t just about wildlife—these findings could have implications for medicine, space travel, and more. Read the full article here to explore how UAF’s work reaches far beyond the Arctic: https://bit.ly/4fIUVpX University of Alaska Fairbanks

Exciting News! The Education Trust of Alaska's T. Rowe Price College Savings Plan just earned the prestigious 2024 Morningstar Gold Medalist Rating—one of only five plans nationwide. This award highlights the Trust’s leadership, guided by Administrator Luke Fulp and Executive Director Lael Oldmixon, and T. Rowe Price’s investment expertise. For more information on the Education Trust of Alaska, visit: https://lnkd.in/gwbUxnB Congratulations to the team at the Education Trust of Alaska! #UniversityofAlaska #529Plan #EducationSavings

Board of Regents public testimony will be held today, Monday, November 4 from 4-5 pm. Call 1-888?886-7786 to join the queue to testify. Provide your first and last name to the operator; your call will be placed in a queue and monitored. When it is your turn to speak the operator will notify you and transfer the call into the audio conference. Upon transfer, introduce yourself: “Mr./Madam Chair and members of the Board of Regents, my name is (your name), calling from (city) then begin your testimony. Watch the live stream here: https://lnkd.in/g7pUWMk

Did you know Kenai Peninsula College (KPC) celebrates 60 years of growth and community impact this year? ?? Founded in a high school closet, KPC has grown into a key educational institution serving more than 2,500 students each semester. From technical programs like welding and process technology to pre-med and paramedicine, KPC continues to provide accessible and essential education across the Kenai Peninsula. Its partnerships with local industries ensure that students are job-ready and equipped to thrive in Alaska’s workforce. Here’s to 60 more years of excellence, innovation, and community leadership! Learn more: https://bit.ly/4ffiwOY Photos: 1. Kenai Peninsula College today 2. The Homer branch in the 1970's 3. UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell attends KPC's 60th anniversary celebration in August. He presented Richelle Frankovic-Spencer with the Chancellor’s Award for putting Students First. #UniversityofAlaska #KenaiPeninsulaCollege

Empower Alaska continues to be an extremely rewarding campaign to be a part of. This year, our team traveled to Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Wrangell to capture stories of University of Alaska graduates making an impact around the state. Here are a few behind-the-scenes shots from our shoot! ?? Stay tuned for more!

Today, we honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Alaska’s Indigenous people and communities have thrived on the lands where our universities and research sites reside since time immemorial. We recognize the deep roots of these lands to Indigenous ancestral heritage, wisdom, beauty, and accomplishments. At UA, we have integrated Alaska’s first peoples into every facet of our operations. We’re excited to share the 2024 Alaska Native Success Initiative (ANSI) Annual Report later this week, featuring student resources, expanded support services, Indigenous languages taught at our universities, and more. Join us in reflecting on the importance of advancing ANSI and creating welcoming, inclusive spaces for everyone. Attend one of the Indigenous Peoples Day events linked below to celebrate together. UAF: https://bit.ly/4eY7MVD. UAA: https://bit.ly/4h4iV8u UAS: https://bit.ly/3Nqwqlj UAS Ketchikan Campus: https://bit.ly/4h6Iu9e UAS Sitka Campus: https://bit.ly/4h10PUV

Big news for Alaska students! Did you know that recent updates to the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) and UA Scholars Program are making higher education more affordable? Thanks to HB148, scholarship amounts have increased, eligibility has been extended, and students will now learn if they qualify by the end of their junior year. With APS awards now up to $7,000 per year and the UA Scholars Program providing $15,000 to the top 10% of high school graduates, UA is helping students pursue their degrees and prepare for Alaska’s workforce needs. Learn more about these scholarship opportunities and more: https://lnkd.in/ehRkKBq3 University of Alaska Foundation

Harnessing Arctic Expertise at UA The University of Alaska leads in addressing the Arctic’s key challenges: Arctic Engineering (UAF) – Designing resilient infrastructure for extreme environments. Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies (UAA) – Researching Arctic environmental health impacts. Fisheries Program (UAF and UAS) – Fostering sustainable fisheries management. Discover more: https://lnkd.in/eg4_MQac