In this role, Atwater has direct administrative responsibility for Education programs at UAS along with statewide responsibility for enhancing coordination and alignment of all UA Education programs and expanding partnerships with K-12 districts and education leaders across the state. 

Atwater earned his master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and doctorate in Educational Leadership at the University of Alaska. He began his Alaska career as a teacher in predominantly Alaska Native communities in western Alaska, and went on to become superintendent at both Lake and Peninsula School District and at Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. He was recognized as Alaska’s Superintendent of the Year in 2013.