木瓜直播

Chancellor鈥檚 Report on Philanthropy

Dear UAA Community,

It has been a busy and energizing start to the summer, and I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for the warm welcome I鈥檝e received across our campuses. As an alumna, former faculty member, and past director of Kenai Peninsula College, I鈥檝e seen firsthand how collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. I鈥檓 honored to serve as your Interim Chancellor and excited for what we can accomplish together.

Last week, I attended the UA Board of Regents meeting in Fairbanks, where the FY26 budget was approved. This budget includes a 6% increase in operating funds, supporting compensation increases, deferred maintenance, and strategic initiatives like the 木瓜直播 Leaders Archive. These investments reflect the confidence our state has in the university鈥檚 mission and the value we bring to 木瓜直播.

The Regents also recognized the outstanding service of former Chancellor Sean Parnell, whose leadership fostered a culture of optimism, shared governance, and student-centered progress. His legacy of collaboration and purpose is one I am proud to carry forward.

We also celebrated UAA鈥檚 own Zac Clark, Associate Director of Student Life and Leadership, who received the Staff Make Students Count Award for his exceptional dedication to our students. His recognition is a reminder of the incredible impact our staff and faculty have every day.

This spring, we celebrated the graduation of 1,800 students across our campuses鈥攅ach one a testament to the power of education and the strength of our community. Our enrollment is growing, with a 2.8% increase in credit hours and significant gains in workforce-related credentials. UAA now serves over 12,000 students, and our retention rate for full-time bachelor鈥檚 students is the highest it鈥檚 been in over a decade.

These achievements are possible because of your commitment鈥攁nd because of the generosity of our philanthropic partners. This spring, we welcomed Congressman Nick Begich and leaders from ConocoPhillips 木瓜直播 to campus, showcasing how partnerships fuel innovation in fields like Arctic research, AI, and health sciences. Since 2008, the ConocoPhillips Arctic Science and Engineering Endowment has provided millions in support of applied research that addresses 木瓜直播鈥檚 most pressing challenges.

We also continue to be recognized for our service to military and veteran students, earning the Military Friendly School designation for the 17th consecutive year. And our recent accreditation reviews鈥攂oth programmatic and institutional鈥攁ffirm the strength of our academic and operational foundations.

Seawolf Athletics has had a banner year, with championships, national honors, and academic excellence. Our student-athletes are not only excelling in competition but also contributing thousands of hours in community service, embodying the spirit of UAA.

As we look ahead to the new academic year, I want to thank you for everything you do to support our students and our mission. I believe deeply in the power of this university to transform lives, and I know that through collaboration, community, and philanthropy, we will continue to grow stronger together.

My door is always open, and I look forward to listening, learning, and leading alongside you.

With gratitude,
Cheryl Siemers

Recent Benefactor Highlights

Benefactors from Nov. 26, 2024 - Feb. 25, 2025 at leadership-level gifts of $10,000+

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Recent Stories of Impact

Read stories of impact and continue to check back for updates highlighting the Anchorage campus and community campuses.