UAF Chancellor

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is seeking its next Chancellor, a visionary leader responsible for all aspects of administration as delegated by the University of Alaska System president and regents. This pivotal role will shape the future of UAF by advancing the 2027 Strategic Plan and laying the foundation for a strong tripartite mission of teaching, research, and service that extends well beyond 2027. Internally, the Chancellor will lead UAF’s administration of academic instruction, research, sponsored programs, outreach, finance, operations, and campus safety, engaging employees across the institution to achieve academic and institutional goals with clear metrics for success. The Chancellor will also support UAF’s intercollegiate athletics as a vital contributor to campus life, student development, and community pride. Externally, the Chancellor will represent UAF, strengthen its reputation, build relationships with stakeholders, and develop new opportunities for philanthropy and research sponsorship.

Serving as an ex-officio member of the University of Alaska Foundation, the Chancellor will collaborate on fundraising campaigns and actively participate in outreach and advancement initiatives. This is a defining leadership opportunity for a dynamic individual who can champion UAF’s mission, inspire excellence, and make a lasting impact across Alaska and beyond.

To thrive in this position, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ability and energy to lead a complex, multi-faceted university, establishing and managing budgets while balancing competing demands for services across functional, geographic, and disciplinary boundaries within constrained fiscal resources. The candidate should have at least seven years of executive-level administrative experience in higher education, along with substantial additional experience as a university executive, faculty member, researcher, or manager at a major research organization. A master’s degree from an accredited institution is required, with an earned doctorate or other relevant terminal degree preferred. Above all, the Chancellor will inspire excellence, foster collaboration, and drive the university’s mission forward with lasting impact.

Minimum Qualifications:

At least 7 years of executive-level administrative experience in higher education. Substantial additional executive, faculty, researcher, and/or management experience at a university or a major research organization.

A master's degree from an accredited institution, with an earned doctorate or other relevant terminal degree preferred.

Position Details:

This position is located on the University of Alaska campus in Fairbanks.  This is a full-time, Executive Officer/Senior Administrator staff position with 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. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a successful candidate is identified.

Review of application materials will begin immediately. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient and viable number of qualified candidates have been identified.

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Bridget Thimsen, SBO Sr. HRC at bmthimsen@alaska.edu

*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.

This position is designated as an officer of the university or senior administrator at the discretion of the president.

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 UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

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.