Ů�źϼ�

October 20, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2025

University of Alaska President Pitney concludes Ů�źϼ�A Chancellor Search, extends Interim Chancellor Siemers’ appointment

(ANCHORAGE) - University of Alaska (Ů�źϼ�) President Pat Pitney announced today that she has concluded the Ů�źϼ�A Chancellor Search process, and will extend Interim Chancellor Cheryl Siemers' appointment through next summer. President Pitney decided after reviewing community and stakeholder feedback from the campus visits of the four finalists for the position. While all four finalists were qualified and received general positive feedback during their visits, the overwhelming consensus from community and stakeholder feedback was that Interim Chancellor Siemers has done an excellent job leading Ů�źϼ�A during the last five months, and that extending her appointment would provide important institutional stability.

“I appreciate the hard work of all four finalist candidates to engage with and get to know our university community, and I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who participated in the search process and shared their perspectives.” President Pitney said. “Cheryl is uniquely positioned to continue advancing Ů�źϼ�A’s priorities without pause, and I am pleased to share that she has agreed to extend her appointment. This decision ensures continuity and sustained progress as Ů�źϼ�A continues to build on its strengths and pursue its strategic goals.”

Interim Chancellor Siemers has been leading Ů�źϼ�A since May 2025, when President Pitney appointed her following former Ů�źϼ�A Chancellor Sean Parnell’s retirement. In September, four finalist candidates made campus visits to Ů�źϼ�A as a part of the final stage of the chancellor search. After the visits, President Pitney reviewed stakeholder and community feedback, and consulted with the Ů�źϼ�A Chancellor Search Committee and Board of Regents before deciding to extend Interim Chancellor Siemers’ appointment. President Pitney will evaluate longer-term next steps on the Ů�źϼ�A Chancellor role after this academic year. 

“Cheryl has already provided steady leadership, fostered collaboration and continues to generate significant momentum across the University, and she is uniquely positioned to continue advancing Ů�źϼ�A’s priorities without pause,” said President Pitney. “I am pleased that she has agreed to extend her appointment and continue leading Ů�źϼ�A’s efforts to empower Alaska by transforming the lives of students and communities.”

The University of Alaska inspires learning, and advances and disseminates knowledge through teaching, research, and public service, emphasizing the North and its diverse peoples. A land-, sea- and space-grant system of higher education established in 1917, the Ů�źϼ� system’s three universities (, , and ) are separately accredited institutions with 13 community campuses and extended learning centers across the state of Alaska.

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For more information, contact Jonathon Taylor, director of public affairs at 907-350-0168 (cell), or via email at jmtaylor9@alaska.edu, or Tanya Pont, Ů�źϼ�A executive director of advancement, at (907) 764-2881 or via email at tmpont@alaska.edu.