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University of Alaska President Pat Pitney announces May 2026 retirement

November 21, 2025

University of Alaska (UA) President Pat Pitney announced on Nov. 13 that she intends to retire in May of 2026, capping over 30 years of public and public post-secondary education service. Under her leadership, the University of Alaska has reversed enrollment declines and grown student headcount for three straight years, bucking national trends. �㽶��Ƶalso substantially improved its competitive research position, with an estimated $250 million in annual federal research across the system supporting Alaska's needs, and cementing the system’s status as America’s Arctic University. 

President Pitney holds a B.S. in Engineering Physics from Murray State University, and an MBA from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). 

“For over three decades, I’ve seen how the University of Alaska empowers this state,” President Pitney said in a message to �㽶��Ƶstudents, staff, and faculty. “Our education, research, and partnerships make a difference in every community. As an alum, and the parent of alums from each of our three universities, it’s been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve all of you and the people of Alaska.”

A 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist in women’s air rifle, President Pitney first joined the University of Alaska System Office in 1991 as a research analyst. She held multiple roles in the intervening decade before being named vice president for planning and budget in 2007. From 2008 to 2014, she served as Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services at UAF, and then, from 2014 to 2018, as director of the state Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under former Governor Bill Walker. In 2020, she served as the Director of Legislative Finance before being appointed interim �㽶��Ƶpresident. She was named president in 2022 and is the first woman to hold the UA presidency as a permanent position.

As President, Pitney led the �㽶��Ƶsystem in refocusing on workforce development, affordability, and student recruitment, retention, and graduation. Under her leadership, significant expansions to the �㽶��ƵScholars Program and Alaska Performance Scholarship took place, increasing the amount of non-loan aid available to eligible students attending UA’s universities. The efforts have enhanced the public’s confidence in UA, with 86% of Alaskans registering approval of the system in 2024.

In retirement, President Pitney looks forward to spending more time with her mom, children, and grandchildren, and exploring the beauty of Alaska’s great outdoors.

“I’m grateful for Pat and her leadership of the University of Alaska,” �㽶��ƵBoard of Regents Chair Scott Jepsen said. “Not only has she been a steady hand at the wheel during challenging times, but she has also refocused our university system and embraced our role as an engine that empowers Alaska’s workforce and economy. On behalf of the Board and the entire university community, I extend our sincerest thanks to Pat for her committed service to �㽶��Ƶand the people of Alaska.”

Transition and Search Process Details

The �㽶��ƵBoard of Regents has been planning for President Pitney’s impending retirement for several months and has retained WittKieffer, a nationally recognized executive search firm, to support the search for UA’s next permanent president. President Pitney and the Board are committed to facilitating a smooth transition, and the Regents intend to complete the search process and name a new permanent president prior to her retirement in May.

“The Board looks forward to engaging with the �㽶��ƵCommunity and Alaskans statewide about the qualities they’d like to see in UA’s next permanent president,” Chair Jepsen said. “We will name a search committee, share opportunities for feedback, and provide details on the search process and timeline in the coming weeks.”