University of Alaska Regents praise stability and progress as President Pitney, Interim UAF Chancellor Amb. Sfraga retire

May 22, 2026

The University of Alaska (UA) Board of Regents today capped their final meeting of the academic year by honoring outgoing President Pat Pitney and Interim University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Chancellor Ambassador Mike Sfraga (ret.) as they prepare to retire this month. The Board also approved budgets for the coming fiscal year, recognized student and staff excellence, and received key updates on major university priorities. The meeting at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) comes at the conclusion of commencement exercises around the state, with more than 3,500 students receiving over 3,600 degrees and certificates.

“Congratulations to the class of 2026!” Chair Jepsen said. “As I participated in graduation ceremonies earlier this month, I was reminded of just how impactful a �㽶��Ƶeducation is on the lives of our students. I look forward to seeing the class of 2026 thrive, and how they empower our state and their home communities.”

Honoring extraordinary service and facilitating smooth transitions

During the full Board Meeting on Thursday, Regents took the extraordinary step of granting President Pitney emeritus status in recognition of her distinguished service. Under her leadership, �㽶��Ƶreversed a decade of enrollment decline, stabilized its fiscal outlook, and revitalized its connection to Alaska's workforce. The Board of Regents may bestow the title “President Emeritus” at its discretion to recognize significant, meritorious contributions to the university. Only three other presidents have been granted that title: UA’s first president Dr. Charles Bunnell, Dr. William R. Wood, and Mark R. Hamilton.

“Serving as president of the University of Alaska has been the honor of my career,” President Pitney said. “For over three decades, I’ve seen how �㽶��Ƶempowers this state. Our education, research, and partnerships make a difference in every community. UA’s future is bright, and I’m confident that President-Designee Cooper will continue our forward momentum.”

The first U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs, Interim Chancellor Sfraga returned to lead UAF last year, cementing its status as America’s Arctic University and a key partner on Arctic issues. A UAF alumnus who spent 31 years as a faculty member and administrator, Ambassador Sfraga will stay connected to �㽶��Ƶand UAF in an advisory role for Arctic and national security strategies.

“Returning to lead my alma mater has been an honor and privilege, and I’m grateful for the support of President Pitney, the Board, and our students, staff, and faculty,” Interim Chancellor Sfraga said. “This institution is positioned to lead and I look forward to serving and supporting UAF and the University system when I step down in the coming days.”

Earlier this month, the Board selected former �㽶��ƵGeneral Counsel Matt Cooper to serve as the system's next permanent president. President Pitney’s last day is today; President-Designee Cooper’s first day is August 3, 2026. Vice President of University Relations Michelle Rizk will serve as Interim �㽶��ƵPresident over the summer. Interim Chancellor Sfraga’s last day is May 30, 2026; additional announcements on the next permanent UAF Chancellor will be made next week.

Advancing Mission-Critical Priorities

Regents approved the FY27 operating and capital budgets. UA’s operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, includes $366.1 million in unrestricted general funds (UGF), an increase of roughly 4% from the previous year. The increases will allow the university to maintain stability and make strategic investments, and include:

$11.5 million for employee compensation, including a 3% increase for eligible union and non-union employees,
$701 thousand for investments in public safety,
$785 thousand to improve support for student mental health systemwide, and
$1.2 million one-time funds for recruitment, retention, and graduation support initiatives (total investment: $5.5 million)

UA’s FY27 capital appropriation from the legislature includes $45.8 million in total funding, with roughly $39 million from state funds. The vast majority of the funds will support critical deferred maintenance needs at UAA, UAF, and the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS), which has been the university’s top capital priority for over a decade. The remainder will fund select capital priorities around the system. Both budgets have passed the Alaska Legislature and await the governor's approval.

“The Board’s focus on balancing fiscal restraint combined with the University’s efforts on recruitment, retention and graduation continue to yield positive results, including institutional stabilization and enrollment growth,” Chair Jepsen said. “I’m pleased the Legislature has passed a budget that allows �㽶��Ƶto continue those efforts, and with the Governor’s support of Regents’ priorities throughout the budget process.”

Regents also provided guidance to university administration regarding forthcoming negotiations with a newly formed union, CAUSE, which represents some staff employees. The Board directed management to bring university benefits more in line with national post-secondary education and local standards as a part of those negotiations. The Board respects the outcome of the union election, and the university will negotiate in good faith with CAUSE to reach a complete contract, including compensation, as Alaska labor law requires. State statute requires a ratified and funded contract to be enacted before members of any bargaining group can receive a compensation increase.

The Board also approved 4 new programs with direct connections to Alaska's needs and workforce opportunities:

an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Criminology and Criminal Justice at UAA,
an Undergraduate Certificate in American Sign Language (ASL) Studies at UAF,
a Bachelor of Arts in Tribal Governance at UAF, and
a Master of Arts in Teaching in Indigenous Languages at UAS

Board members also received updates on the Roadmap to Empower Alaska strategic plan, with a focus on recruitment, retention, and graduation, and building Arctic leaders. Recently enhanced recruitment efforts included targeted outreach to Alaskan students and parents in 8th and 9th grades, encouraging students to make academic choices in high school to attain Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) eligibility, and to increase familiarity with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and scholarship availability. As America’s largest Arctic research enterprise, the �㽶��ƵSystem plays a key role in climate, engineering, and infrastructure research from an Arctic lens. Other ongoing efforts include Indigenous knowledge integration and developing Arctic leaders who are uniquely positioned to address Arctic community challenges. In the coming years, �㽶��Ƶis positioned to play a growing role in Arctic security and resilience, with the expansion of partnerships with military, industry and federal research agencies.

“The progress made in just the last 16 months on recruitment, retention, and graduation priorities is impressive, and I’m very pleased with the positive impact our efforts have had on student success,” President Pitney remarked. “I appreciate the hard work of so many across the system to advance these critical priorities.”

During committee meetings on Wednesday, the Board also heard updates on tuition transparency efforts, student housing opportunities, and the Land Grant Initiative. On Thursday afternoon, they spoke with Chief Information Officer Ben Shier and academic leaders about AI in post-secondary education and the need to develop guiding principles on its integration and use academically and operationally. Regents directed Interim President Rizk to work with the chancellors and key university faculty and staff over the summer months to develop principles and high-level strategic guidance for the Board to review in September and be used to inform future Board policy changes and institutional practices on AI.

“AI poses both challenges and opportunities for �㽶��Ƶon the academic and operational fronts, and our faculty’s expertise in this area is important,” Chair Jepsen remarked after the presentation. “We look forward to receiving guidance at our September meeting - with input from faculty, administration, and student governance - that will inform future AI policy at the �㽶��Ƶsystem.”

Recognizing staff excellence

During the full board meeting on Wednesday, President Pitney recognized the 2026 recipients of the “Staff Make Students Count” awards. Started in 1999, this award recognizes staff who have provided outstanding service to �㽶��Ƶstudents. Each recipient receives an award plaque, $1,000, and two domestic Alaska Airlines vouchers. Recipients were selected by their respective staff councils from nominations by students and peers:

UAA: Audrey Badger, Mat-Su College Financial Aid Advisor
UAF: Mark Oldmixon, Nanook Recreation Director
UAS: Kailey Pritzl, Academic Exchange and Study Abroad Coordinator
System Office: Noel Romanovsky, Administrative Specialist

“Staff are a vital part of creating a positive experience for our students, and in facilitating student success,” President Pitney said. “Congratulations to each of this year’s award winners, and thank you for all you do to support our students and our efforts across the system to empower Alaska.”