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#NanookNation
#NanookNation
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a large, complex bureaucratic organization with a broad range of programs and services designed to meet the educational and workforce needs of Alaska while supporting individual students' success.
You aren't expected to be an expert on all things UAF, but having a broad understanding of the structure of UAF and how the university works will aid in your success as an ASUAF official.
History of UAF
History of UAF
The University of Alaska Fairbanks' roots lie in the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines, founded in 1917. Learn about UAF's first century in the video below.
UAF's Mission, Core Themes and Strategic Goals
UAF's Mission, Core Themes and Strategic Goals
The University of Alaska Board of Regents approved UAF's latest mission statement at its June 8, 2012 meeting. The following statement is now contained in UA Board of Regents Policy 01.01.030:
The University of Alaska Fairbanks is a Land, Sea, and Space Grant university and an international center for research, education, and the arts, emphasizing the circumpolar North and its diverse peoples. UAF integrates teaching, research, and public service as it educates students for active citizenship and prepares them for lifelong learning and careers.
UAF's Core Themes:
Educate: Undergraduate and Graduate Students and Lifelong Learners
Research: To Create and Disseminate New Knowledge, Insight, Technology, Artistic and Scholarly Works
Prepare: Alaska's Career, Technical, and Professional Workforce
Connect: Alaska Native, Rural, and Urban Communities by Sharing Knowledge and Ways of Knowing
Engage: Alaskans through Outreach for Continuing Education and Community and Economic Development
Learn more about the development of UAF's mission here.
UAF's Strategic Goals:
Achieve Tier 1 Research Status
Modernize the Student Experience
Revitalize Key Academic Programs
Strengthen our Position as Global Leaders in Alaska Native and Indigenous Programs
Transform UAF's Intellectual Property Development and Commercialization Enterprise
Embrace and Grow a Culture of Respect, Diversity, Inclusion and Caring
Learn more about UAF's strategic goals at https://uaf.edu/strategic/.
UAF's Administration
UAF's Administration
Like any large organization, UAF is administered by a team of experts who oversee and provide direction to the administrative, academic, student support, research and other functions of the university. As an ASUAF official, you have direct access to these administrators in ways most other students do not -- you'll be invited to meetings with them, they'll seek your counsel on important issues affecting the student body and in some cases, you may come to find mentorship and guidance from these leaders.
While you may not always agree with the decisions made by UAF's administration, it's important to see them as partners in improving the student experience at UAF. Take a moment to get to know UAF's administration by reading about them below. You might also find it useful to view UAF's organizational chart.
Chancellor Daniel White
Chancellor Daniel White
Chancellor White is UAF's chief executive officer. He works closely with university leaders, governance groups and members of the community to provide day-to-day leadership and strategic direction to UAF's campuses.
Chancellor White is ultimately responsible for all things UAF -- from academic quality to student safety to the budget and everything in between -- though he's delegated most decision-making to the provost and vice chancellors, collectively known as the Chancellor's Core Cabinet.
Provost Anupma Prakash
Provost Anupma Prakash
Provost and Executive Vice-Chancellor Anupma Prakash is UAF's chief academic officer, responsible for curricular learning and academic program quality. Provost Prakash works with academic deans and directors to ensure that UAF's academic programs meet the needs of Alaska's students and workforce.
The deans of each of UAF's schools and colleges report to Provost Prakash who also oversees the Museum of the North, the Office of International Programs and Initiatives, the UAF Honors Program and much more. Provost Prakash works closely with Vice Provost Alex Fitts to ensure that UAF maintains accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Vice Chancellor Owen Guthrie
Vice Chancellor Owen Guthrie
Owen Guthrie leads the Division of Student Affairs, a diverse array of departments and programs aimed at supporting student success both within and outside of the classroom. Departments within the Division of Student Affairs include:
The Office of Admissions
The Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities
Dining Services
Disability Services
Financial Aid
Nanook Recreation
The Office of the Registrar
The Department of Residence Life
Student Health and Counseling
Military and Veteran Services
Center for Student Engagement
Vice Chancellor Guthrie is supported by Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Ali Knabe who has direct oversight of Residence Life, the Center for Student Engagement, Dining Services, Nanook Recreation and the Student Health and Counseling Center.
Vice Chancellor Charlene Stern
Vice Chancellor Charlene Stern
Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community and Native Education Dr. Charlene Stern leads the College of Rural and Community Development and oversees indigenous programs and studies at UAF.
The College of Rural and Community Development operates UAF's community campuses in Fairbanks, Bethel, Dillingham, Nome, Kotzebue, and learning centers in Galena, Ft. Yukon, Tok, Unalaska, McGrath, Shishmaref, Unalakleet, Togiak, King Salmon, and Delta.
Vice Chancellor Peter also provides leadership to Rural Student Services, the Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI) and the Eileen Panigeo MacLean House (Eileen's House).
Learn more about the College of Rural and Community Development.
Vice Chancellor Nettie Labelle-Hamer
Vice Chancellor Nettie Labelle-Hamer
Vice Chancellor for Research Dr. Nettie La Belle-Hamer provides leadership to UAF's diverse research entities. Research is one of UAF's main priorities, especially in arctic and climate change research. UAF ranks in the top 150 of nearly 700 U.S. institutions that conduct research. UAF has ranked in the top 11 of more than 10,000 institutions worldwide for number of citations in climate change publications.
Vice Chancellor Julie Queen
Vice Chancellor Julie Queen
The UAF Administrative Services offices work to provide safe and effective operations for students, faculty, staff, visitors and other university constituents. In her role as Interim Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services, Julie Queen provides leadership to the following departments:
Shared Governance
Shared Governance
The principle of shared governance is the collaboration of student, faculty, and staff governance to voice concerns and offer solutions to the Chancellor and their Core Cabinet for their respective constituencies. This principle is also demonstrated by each university and extends to Statewide governance groups as well. The faculty governance group is the UAF Faculty Senate, and the staff governance group is the UAF Staff Council.
Learn more about shared governance at UAF and meet the leaders of Faculty Senate and Staff Council.
UAF Organizational Chart
UAF Organizational Chart
Organizational charts can be useful in understanding a large bureaucracy's hierarchy. The UAF organizational chart to the left, dated October 1, 2019 shows major units at UAF report up through the provost and vice-chancellors to the chancellor. For the most up-to-date organizational chart from the chancellor's office, click here.
The provost and vice-chancellor's individual websites also have org. charts that show the units and employees they are responsible for.
ASUAF and the Center for Student Engagement
ASUAF and the Center for Student Engagement
Along with a number of programs supporting campus life, ASUAF is a part of the Center for Student Engagement or CSE.
CSE's mission is to develop the whole student by creating connections to UAF and the surrounding communities through a variety of programs, services & opportunities.
CSE Values
CSE Values
Inclusiveness - we foster an environment where all are welcomed and affirmed in a diverse community
Learning - we celebrate opportunities for self-discovery and the ongoing development of our students
Leadership - cultivating leaders through creating and supporting a rich variety of student leadership development opportunities
Innovation - we create new and memorable experiences through continuous improvement
Teamwork - we leverage individual strengths and team accountability to provide excellent experiences
Tradition - Tradition starts here! We celebrate the Nanook Nation spirit and the traditions of our campus
CSE Programs and Departments
CSE Programs and Departments
Student Activities: campus events, Nanook Traditions, Pop Con, Arctic Java programming
Student Leadership and Involvement: COLD Leadership Certificate, volunteerism, leadership development
ESports: competitive and casual gaming
Graphics: graphic design and marketing services
Pub: beer, wine, live music and events for 21+
Scheduling: space reservations and event setup
Nanook Diversity and Action Center: diversity and inclusion programming, prevention and wellness education
New Student Orientation: programming for new students
Front Desk: sundry items, lost and found, games equipment, tickets, information, bowling alley and balloons
Continue to learn about shared governance at UAF:
Continue to learn about shared governance at UAF:
The quiz for this section is located at the bottom of the Governance page.
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