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Friday Focus: We have the expertise

Sept. 29, 2023

— By Dan White, chancellor

At the beginning of each new semester, I often introduce myself and explain the role of the Chancellor to new students, faculty, and staff who recently joined UAF. At these events, I share that a large part of my job is working with all of our administrators, faculty, staff and students to do everything we can to execute our mission and live our vision: excellence through transformative experiences. Having such an inspiring purpose is one of the reasons I am so passionate about UAF. 

From the 10,000-foot view, I spend my time working to secure what the university needs to continue to serve our students at a high level. Day to day, I find myself in a lot of meetings toward this end. You may have seen me walking around campus meeting with people who are willing to help me get away from my desk for a bit. I meet with leaders across campus, community advocates, board members, shared governance leadership, and more – always in pursuit of furthering UAF’s mission and vision.  

Across the spectrum of people I meet, I am often surprised how many aren’t aware of how special UAF is. For instance, did you know we are currently in the top 7% of universities in the nation for research? We’re not the best in the world in everything we do. We cannot be everything to everyone, but we are the best in the world at a whole lot more than people know. UAF is a distinct university with strengths and expertise that should have UAF faculty, staff and students walking tall. No one at UAF should think that “outside” is where the expertise is. It is here!

I am always proud to share that at UAF, our student body is 50% first-generation students. That is pretty amazing for a research university with $197 million in annual research expenditures. We are 25% Alaska Native/American Indian, which reflects the demographics of our state. We are 17% military-affiliated and recently received gold status for our support of the military community.  UAF offers 149 degree programs, maintains a student debt average lower than the national average, and has experienced enrollment growth significantly above the national average. We are home to the national champion rifle team, a nationally competitive D1 hockey team, and more than a handful of all-American athletes. A student from CTC’s culinary arts program was recently featured on the TV show MasterChef, and Santosh Panda was just nominated for teaching one of the top 10 best edX courses in the country. I could go on and on because there is so much to celebrate. OK, we have room to grow, but the facts say that UAF is already a top-tier university. We are America’s Arctic University.

Now more than ever, people from across the country and around the world are choosing UAF because they recognize the value of an education that you provide. And when I say you, I mean faculty, staff, and students. We are capable of providing transformative experiences to everyone who comes here and helping educate the next generation of leaders. Leaders in their field of study, in their community, in Alaska and the world. If you find yourself wondering which lower 48 or international university might be the experts in a given field, be sure to check the next building over. Because it may just be that the expert you are looking for is just a short walk away.

Friday Focus is written by a different member of UAF’s leadership team every week.