For Immediate Release
Friday, Aug. 5, 2005

University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton has announced the appointment and transfer of UAA Provost Ted Kassier to senior associate vice president for academic affairs at the system level.

The appointment, effective Aug. 15, is part of an ongoing effort to boost academic leadership at the university’s system office and to enhance research and academic collaborations and partnerships between faculty and programs at the UA campuses.

Craig Dorman, UA’s vice president for academic affairs and research, said Kassier brings considerable experience as both a distinguished faculty member and an accomplished academic administrator. Kassier will remain in Anchorage.

“The location of this position in Anchorage will enhance the university’s» statewide profile and networking in academic matters,” Dorman said. “We intend to increase the visibility, involvement and awareness of the University of Alaska, not only with key constituencies in Anchorage, but on the national and international level.”

Dorman, who has been serving as UA vice president for research since 2002, announced plans to retire last winter. The position was redesigned to include both academic affairs and research, but a national search completed last spring did not yield a suitable candidate. Dorman agreed to stay on at UA for two years.

Hamilton said Kassier’s experience and expertise in instructional areas will provide breadth and balance to the system’s academic affairs office. “We’ll proceed with another national search in the future, but for now, I’m very satisfied that these experienced administrators will provide strong and innovative leadership as UA continues to meet the diverse needs of Alaska.”

UAA Chancellor Elaine Maimon said an interim provost will be announced next week, followed by a search for a permanent replacement. “All of us at UAA appreciate Ted’s service as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and as provost,” the chancellor said. “This background prepares him well to make significant contributions to statewide academic affairs.”

Kassier, who holds master’s and doctorate degrees from Princeton University and a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, will be paid $150,000 annually.

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A 200 dpi photo of Kassier is available at http://www.alaska.edu/opa/eGallery/pages/tedKassier.html
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