Mission
The Vice President for Academics, Students & Research, directs a division of services including Academic Affairs, Research, Workforce Programs, Student Success, and Distance Education. The Vice President works with the UA campuses on academic and research initiatives and collaborations to promote research in Alaska. The University of Alaska is committed to working closely with all federal and state agencies and private enterprise to further develop collaboration and new exposures for future growth in all areas of science and technology.

Paul Layer
Vice President Academics, Students, and Research
(907) 450-8019
pwlayer@alaska.edu
System-level Coordination
ACEC facilitates inter-university coordination and communication to meet the goals
of UA's Schools of Education
Common Calendar 2018 - 2022
The Faculty Alliance Common Calendar Committee has developed a common calendar, coordinating
start dates and breaks throughout the system, and are further developing coordinated
course starting time alignment to facilitate cross-university instruction.
Information on Accreditation
All three universities, UAA, UAF, and UAS, and their respective Community Colleges
are fully accredited. In addition to institutional accreditation from the Northwest
Commission on Colleges and Universities, UA has more than 60 program/specialized accreditations
across the system.
January 18, 2023
The new law signed by President Biden in late December creates an avenue for the university to gain around 360,000 acres of land. We are encouraged that being a land grant university without all its land is finally coming to an end.
Read articleDecember 07, 2022
The Alaska-themed "Day in the Life" TikTok ad campaign, is a collaboration between UA and the Alaska Travel Industry Association with support from Alaska Airlines that aims to attract more students and workers to the state. The campaign highlights a typical day in the life of two students, as well as two alums of the UA system who now work in the Alaska travel industry.
Read articleNovember 12, 2022
That foundation is our springboard for the next 100 years of Arctic leadership. Our leadership within the circumpolar Arctic is important not only to guiding policy, planning and infrastructure development, but also because we are nurturing and educating future leaders for our state.
Read articleNovember 02, 2022
The awards exemplify how alumni from accredited education programs at UAS, UAF, and UAA carry their love of learning into the world and apply it to teaching.
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Pilot internship scholarship supports teacher education students
February 03, 2023
The University of Alaska is launching a new pilot program to offset the financial burden of teacher internships. Current and prospective students in the final years of UA's teacher licensure programs can now apply for the UA Teacher Internship Scholarship, with recipients receiving tuition, fees and a $10,000 stipend to offset living expenses.
Read articleCan I share information that I heard at work?
February 03, 2023
Everyday in our university jobs we hear and read interesting information and it can be difficult to figure out whether it is ok to share that information with friends and family members. Learn more as we continue our coverage of the Executive Branch Ethics Act in this month's "Compliance Chat" video.
Read articleAnnouncing changes to Board of Regents leadership
February 03, 2023
Governor Dunleavy has submitted five appointees for the UA Board of Regents to Alaska Senate Leadership for confirmation. New officers for the board were elected at a special meeting on December 8.
Read articleStay informed with the UA Capitol Report
February 03, 2023
The Capitol Report is a regular newsletter that details the University of Alaska's Government Relations work.
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