Director of Prince William Sound College

Prince William Sound College (PWSC), an essential community campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), stands as a vibrant and innovative institution dedicated to meeting the educational and workforce needs of Alaska’s Prince William Sound region and beyond. With a service area spanning over 44,000 square miles (about the size of Ohio)—including the communities of Valdez, Glennallen, Copper Center, and Cordova. PWSC is committed to expanding access and opportunity for a diverse student population.

PWSC operates across multiple locations: the main campus in Valdez, the Glennallen/Copper Center Extension Site, and the Cordova Extension Site. These facilities collectively offer over 57,000 square feet of learning space, including residence halls on the Valdez Campus, providing students with a supportive and engaging on-campus living experience.

As a dual mission educational entity, PWSC is uniquely positioned to provide both university transfer pathways and career-focused training. Students can pursue most University of Alaska degrees right here in Prince William Sound, whether they are beginning their higher education journey or seeking to advance their careers. Alongside traditional academic programs, PWSC offers robust career and technical education, with hands-on training in fields such as outdoor leadership, millwright, marine services tech, construction skills, natural resources, marine natural resources, and certified nursing assistance—programs designed to meet the evolving needs of Alaska’s industries and communities.

PWSC’s impact is reflected in its numbers: In Spring 2025, PWSC enrolled 427 students who completed 1,921.5 credit hours. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the college awarded 28 Occupational Endorsement Certificates, 15 associate degrees (AA, AAS), and 5 GEDs. The college employs 122 dedicated faculty and staff, including 9 full-time faculty, 58 full- and part-time staff, 48 adjunct faculty, and 7 student employees.

At the helm of PWSC is the Director, who serves as the chief executive officer of the college, overseeing all aspects of its operations and representing both PWSC and UAA to internal and external stakeholders. Reporting directly to the UAA Chancellor, the Director works closely with the Provost, Vice Chancellors, and Deans, providing visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight to ensure PWSC’s mission and goals are achieved. The Director is responsible for advancing and supporting UAA’s Strategic Plans and institutional priorities, fostering a culture of innovation and academic excellence, and serving as the primary budget authority for PWSC’s $6.7 million annual budget.

As the primary advocate for PWSC within the broader UAA structure, the Director ensures that the college’s diverse programs and initiatives remain responsive to both local community needs and university-wide objectives. The Director champions PWSC’s commitment to accessible education and workforce development by cultivating strong partnerships with industry, government, tribal, school district, and community organizations, and by supporting faculty and staff in delivering high-quality educational experiences to all students.

Minimum Qualifications:

A master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution plus three to five years of administrative leadership experience, including program planning, budget management, and the development and management of personnel.

A doctorate (or equivalent terminal degree) is preferred. Administrative leadership experience in higher education/post-secondary setting is strongly preferred. Successful applicants must provide official transcripts documenting academic credentials required for the position as a condition of employment.

Position Details:

This position is located on the Prince William Sound campus in Valdez. This is a full-time, exempt staff position complete with both a competitive salary and full employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. Salary is commensurate based on education and experience.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Review of applications for the Director of Prince William Sound College will begin after June 1, 2026 and continue until an appointment is made. To assure full consideration, applications should be received by Monday, June 1, 2026, and must include:

• A letter of interest addressing the priorities and expectations for leadership identified in the profile;
• A current curriculum vitae; and
• The contact information (email and phone) for five professional references, including their relationship to the candidate.

Prince William Sound College is being assisted by AGB Search. Application materials should be submitted through the AGB Search portal system here: https://bit.ly/4lD0QRz

Please direct nominations and expressions of interest or any questions regarding the application process to: UAlaskaPrinceWilliam@agbsearch.com

The University of Alaska (UA) reserves the right to require employees to work on-site at the UA facilities. Hybrid and remote work may be approved for employees based in Alaska at the University's discretion. Remote work for employees based outside the State of Alaska may be approved only in exceptional circumstances or when required by the position's job duties.

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact the ADA team at ua-ada@alaska.edu.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.