June 4, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2021
 

UA Board of Regents lays the groundwork for strengthening teacher education programs during its two-day meeting 
 

The University of Alaska Board of Regents voted unanimously during its June 3-4 meeting to establish the Alaska College of Education Consortium (ACEC) that will bolster teacher education preparation and promote the importance of the teaching profession.

“Going forward, we want this consortium to help meet the highest needs of educating more teachers for the state of Alaska,” said UA Interim President Pat Pitney. 

Pitney led the discussion about the Alaska College of Education Consortium -- a comprehensive approach coordinating the efforts of the three Schools of Education at UAA, UAF and UAS to increase teacher education across Alaska and support the state’s critical need for UA-trained teachers at all levels. An important first step in this effort was the creation of a new web portal, www.teachalaska.org, to help potential students easily access the full scope of teacher education programs available within the system

Creation of the consortium has been underway for months and was one of Pitney’s first goals when she became Interim President last year.

The board took up a number of other key issues including an update from Pitney on plans to resume on-site operations over the summer months, UA’s budget stability, and future board goals and measures. Pitney, and members of the Alaska Native Success Initiative action teams at each university, led a discussion on the efforts underway to address equity and inclusion at UA, and plans to address equity in hiring, retaining and supporting Alaska Native students, staff and faculty across the UA System. 

Due to ongoing legislative discussions, the board postponed action on the FY22 Budget until June 22.

University of Alaska Foundation President Tod Burnett shared with the board that the statewide “For Alaska” philanthropic campaign has raised $154 million of its $200 million fundraising goal. These funds have come from community members across the state and will go toward specific academic programs and scholarships to support the student experience across UA. 

UAA Interim Chancellor Bruce Schultz informed the board that the UAA Gymnastics team has met its independent fundraising goal in order to compete in the upcoming season. 

Regents honored Schultz for his service as Interim Chancellor for UAA and thanked him for leading the university following the departure of former Chancellor Cathy Sandeen. Newly appointed Chancellor Sean Parnell will assume his position on June 12. 

UA Interim President Pat Pitney recognized four outstanding staff members for the 2021 Staff Make Students Count Awards. The honorees include: 

  • Allie Hartman - University of Alaska Anchorage student organization coordinator; 

  • Stacey Howdeshell - University of Alaska Fairbanks pre-­major advisor; 

  • Cheryl Stromme - University of Alaska Southeast Sitka Campus academic advisor; 

  • Steve Mullins - University of Alaska System Office emergency planner & continuity director. 

The board heard a presentation about the successful collaboration of UA’s fisheries and ocean sciences programs as part of the ongoing ‘Did You Know’ series highlighting university points of pride. A video highlighting UAF College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences alum Dr. Robert Foy, director of NOAA’s Alaska Fisheries Science Center. The recorded presentation can be found here. 

The board was joined by its new student regent, Kali Spencer. Spencer will serve on the board for a 2021-2023 term.

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For more information, contact Roberta Graham, associate vice president of public affairs at 907-360-2416 (cell).