UA Board of Regents approves resolution of appreciation for Bruce Schultz

During its June 3 full-board meeting in Anchorage, the University of Alaska Board of Regents approved a resolution of appreciation for Bruce Schultz, who will be retiring from his position as the University of Alaska Anchorage Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs after a distinguished career in leadership roles spanning three decades, including serving as Interim University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor in 2021:

WHEREAS, Bruce Schultz is retiring from his position as the University of Alaska Anchorage Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs after a distinguished career in leadership roles spanning three decades, including serving as Interim University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor in 2021; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Schultz began his professional career in student affairs in 1992 as the administrative coordinator for the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Residence Life department; in 1995, he became the associate dean of students; and in 2005, the dean of students and associate vice chancellor for student development; in February 2009, Schultz was appointed interim vice chancellor for student affairs with the full appointment in June 2010; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Schultz has a long history of commitment to student success, enrollment management, and student wellness and safety; as vice chancellor, he led the development of a culture of assessment in student affairs and implemented the MAP-Works program, which contributed to the University of Alaska Anchorage’s graduation rate increasing nearly 24 percent in a single year; supported a multi-year transformation of the University of Alaska Anchorage enrollment services operations, and restructured student affairs to improve effectiveness while addressing significant reductions in funding; and

WHEREAS, from 2009 to 2020, Bruce Schultz co-chaired the University of Alaska Anchorage Diversity Action Council, which supported the development of its first Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan and the hiring of its first chief diversity officer; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Schultz’s recent accomplishments include creating a transparent process for campus stakeholders to provide comments on proposed changes to policies, rules, and procedures; designing the consolidated student fee model; championing employee onboarding as a campus priority, and guiding the development of a program to welcome and familiarize new employees, creating the University of Alaska Anchorage Campus Services division; leading the University of Alaska Anchorage’s transition to an online bookstore; transforming the college experience for first-year students; creating synergy among student engagement and multicultural student programs; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Schultz leads with profound thoughtfulness and patience; he models a leadership style that promotes dignity and respect for all people; values the importance of creating shared visions; and inspires progressive and significant improvements through steadfast determination, tempered by consistent re-evaluation and flexibility; and    

WHEREAS, Bruce Schultz created new spaces on campus to promote student engagement and belonging, such as the Student Leadership Lab, KRUA 88.1 FM remote broadcast studio, Student Clubs & Greek Life Office, Military and Veterans Student Services Office, The Hub, and Disability Support Services suite; he established programs to provide support to students and foster belonging, such as the Care Team, Commuter Student Services, the Financial Literacy Program, and he co-created the Alaska Native and Indigenous Outreach Program, the Cama-i Room, and the Alaska Native Visiting Elders and Elders in Residence Program; Bruce Schultz served on call to assist students in crisis, and he steadfastly attended student government meetings and mentored student leaders; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Schultz believed one of the most important investments at the University of Alaska Anchorage was the university’s human resources; he provided ongoing professional development for his team and mentored individual staff members; and he was reliably consulted on student affairs matters by the University of Alaska Anchorage’s community campuses, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the University of Alaska Southeast, and the University of Alaska  System Office; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Schultz holds a bachelor's degree in international business and German from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and a Master of Education in student affairs administration in higher education from Ball State University, and he received his doctorate in educational and organizational leadership from the University of La Verne where his doctoral dissertation was a descriptive study of freshman adjustment to college at the University of Alaska; and

WHEREAS, Bruce Schultz plans to enjoy retirement, travel, and immerse himself in other cultures.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Regents of the University of Alaska officially recognizes and thanks Bruce Schultz for his dedicated service to the University of Alaska and its students; he will be truly missed; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be appropriately engrossed and conveyed to Bruce Schultz with a copy incorporated into the official minutes of the June 2-3, 2022, meeting of the Board of Regents.