Cheryl Siemers, Kenai Peninsula College director named emerging leader in higher ed

August 9, 2024

UAA - Cheryl Siemers, director of Kenai Peninsula College (KPC), is one of 18 participants in the yearlong 2024 Western Academic Leadership Academy. Now in its ninth year, the Academy’s professional development program objective is to prepare the region’s next generation of leaders in their state’s community campuses, colleges and universities.

Hosted through the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), the Academy is sponsored by two of WICHE’s membership groups, the Western Academic Leadership Forum and the Western Alliance of Community College Academic Leaders, which serve four-year and two-year postsecondary institutions in the West, focuses on campus leadership and sharpening the skills of faculty looking to take the next step in their higher education careers.

Siemers said she is honored to be part of this year’s cohort and is very excited for the opportunity to engage with colleagues from peer institutions and build a community that will enhance her own work at the university. She looks forward to future sessions. 

Siemers served as KPC’s assistant director until being named director in spring 2021. She is passionate about higher education, particularly two-year colleges and has championed many diverse programs during her tenure at KPC. 

“Cheryl is exactly the type of institutional leader that WICHE encourages to apply for the Academy,” said Denise Runge, UAA provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs.  “I'm so pleased to have been able to support her nomination and look forward to hearing more about what she gains throughout the year-long program. I encourage others across UAA who are interested in joining a future cohort to learn more about the program.”

Read UAA's announcement.