Did you know nearly 3,500 UA students just crossed the stage at commencement ceremonies across Alaska?
UAA, UAF and UAS honored students across the state with degrees, certificates, endorsements and honorary degrees. They join over 100,000 UA alumni.
Congratulations to all of our 2026 graduates. Welcome to the UA family 💙
Follow the link in bio to see highlights, data and photos from UA’s biggest annual event.
In 2014, a first grader from Chugiak won a $25,000 Alaska 529 scholarship account. Twelve years later, Warren Hayes is graduating from Chugiak High School with that account valued at more than $50,000 and plans to study mechanical engineering at UAF this fall.
His father, Guy Hayes, has used the family's experience to talk with other Alaskans about long-term saving and the potential of compounding growth over time. "Teaching personal management skills, compounding interest, and investments are conversations I have regularly," he said.
Warren's story illustrates what consistent, long-term saving through @Alaska529 can look like for Alaska families.
Read the full story at Medium.com/UniversityofAlaska
To every graduate walking across a UA stage this weekend, congratulations. Alaska is better for the work you've done 💙
@uafairbanks@ua.anchorage@uasoutheast
The University of Alaska has selected its next president. Matthew Cooper, a longtime Alaskan and former UA General Counsel, will serve as UA's 18th president beginning August 3, 2026.
Cooper brings 13 years of UA experience and a deep commitment to the university's Arctic mission, student success, and promoting innovation.
He succeeds President Pat Pitney, who retires in May after more than five years of leadership that reversed a decade of enrollment decline and stabilized the university's fiscal outlook.
"The Arctic is more consequential now than at any other point in history." — UA President Pat Pitney
Last week at the 2026 Arctic Encounter Symposium, Pitney was honored with the Friend of the Far North Award by AES founder and CEO Rachel Kallander. UA research hit a record $273 million last year, the Arctic Leadership Initiative (ALI) is making its mark, and the university's commitment to this region runs deep.
At the symposium, ALI's inaugural cohort presented research and were honored with awards as they became alums.
#Arcticencounter @arcticencounter
One scholarship. Thirty-one years. Nearly 3,000 Alaskans. ANSEP started with a single student in 1995 and has grown into a nationally recognized model connecting Alaska Native students to STEM careers from kindergarten through the PhD.
Read the full story at the link in bio.
The northern lights over Anchorage, Juneau and Fairbanks, all three University of Alaska campuses.
Last year was one of the most active aurora years in recent memory. The sun reached solar maximum, the peak of its natural 11-year cycle, producing some of the most vivid displays in decades.
At the University of Alaska, you can step outside to see the lights and walk back in to study them.
Photos: UAA by James Evans, UAS by Yosuke Sano, UAF by Leif Van Cise
Did you know the first Executive Director of the UA Foundation started her career cataloging artifacts from Trans-Alaska Pipeline excavations at the Museum of the North?
Today, as UA Giving Day 2026 kicks off, we're sharing the story of Dixie Coggins, the woman who helped build the culture of giving that makes this day possible.
Read her full story at the link in bio
UA President Pat Pitney has appointed Dr. Cheryl Siemers as the permanent chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage
Siemers has served as interim chancellor since May 2025. Pitney described her as “a steady hand at the wheel for UAA,” citing strong support from the university community.
Congratulations to Chancellor Siemers as she continues her important work with the UAA community 💙
We are gaining daylight and warm temperatures are just around the corner. Whether you are relaxing at home or heading out for a ski, there's no wrong way to celebrate spring break, except going into the office.
All University of Alaska offices are closed today, Friday, March 13, for spring break holiday.
(UAF photo)
The ConocoPhillips Alaska Process Technology Support Fund strengthens hands-on training and outreach at UAF’s Community & Technical College and UAA’s Kenai Peninsula College, helping prepare students for careers operating and maintaining Alaska’s critical energy infrastructure.
Students train on real equipment and industry-standard systems, building the skills needed to step directly into high-demand roles across the state.
Click the link in bio to read the full article.
