Leadership Transitions in Workforce Development and Academic Affairs
February 20, 2026
The Å®Óźϼ¯ Office is pleased to announce two related leadership transitions that will strengthen our statewide workforce development and student recruitment, retention, and graduation efforts.
Effective February 22, 2026, Jacelyn Keys will transition from her role as Director of Kodiak College to serve as the Director of Workforce Development in the System Office of Academic Affairs. In this role, Jacelyn will provide statewide leadership for workforce development initiatives, supporting collaboration across community campuses, colleges, and partners to advance responsive and future-focused workforce pathways for Alaska.
Jacelyn brings deep experience in community campus leadership, cross-sector partnership building, and student-centered work. Her work at Kodiak College has been marked by strong community engagement, growing workforce programming, and a steadfast commitment to student success. She has also served in multiple statewide leadership roles, including Chair of the Community Campus Directors Council and representing the community campuses on the Academic Council and Å®Óźϼ¯ Workforce Development Committee. Jacelyn’s experience will directly inform her systemwide role and be strengthened by the vast network she has established throughout her time in Alaska.
Jacelyn will remain in a part-time capacity at Kodiak College through the first part of May to support the transition for the college. She will continue to be based on Kodiak Island.
Simultaneously, Teri Cothren, who currently serves as Associate Vice President of Workforce Development, will transition into a broader role as Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. In this expanded capacity, Teri will continue to advance the Å®Óźϼ¯ Board of Regents’ priority to strengthen recruitment, retention, and graduation through the Student Attainment Framework and implementation of the Students-First Action Agenda. She will work closely with Jacelyn on workforce development priorities to provide continuity, institutional knowledge, and strategic alignment, and with the Academic Affairs team to advance State, Å®Óźϼ¯, and Board priorities.
Together, these transitions reflect the University of Alaska’s ongoing commitment to integrate academic and workforce strategies that serve students, communities, and the state of Alaska. We are grateful for Jacelyn’s leadership at Kodiak College and excited to see her impact expand statewide, and we thank Teri for her continued leadership and expanded service within the system and with partners statewide.