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.
Dr. Brian Smentkowski
Vice President and Chief Academic Officer
(907) 450-8019
bpsmentkowski@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.
Did You Know UAA Course Takes Students to Crime Lab
August 12, 2025
July 29, 2025
July 08, 2025
Did you know you can now support all three UA universities with an Alaska license plate?
June 27, 2025
Be Part of UA's Process Improvement Initiative - Training Now Open
August 08, 2025
The University of Alaska is continuing its commitment to operational excellence through a systemwide Process Improvement Initiative, in partnership with Professional Growth Systems. This effort is designed to improve service delivery, streamline operations, and empower staff to lead meaningful change across the university system.
UALM Competitive Land Sale Released!
August 08, 2025
Monday, July 14, 2025, UA Land Management released sixteen (16) UA parcels through the Competitive Land Sale Program. Parcels included in this sale are two Chena River front parcels, multiple parcels on Logging Camp Bay in Prince William Sound, and commercial parcels in Seward and Wasilla.
National Make a Will month with UA Foundation
August 08, 2025
August is national Make a Will Month. Whether you're starting your career, planning for retirement, or somewhere in between, having a will is one of the most important ways to care for the people and causes you value most.
Staff Alliance offers Professional Development support
August 08, 2025
Staff Alliance is offering support for staff professional development activities that directly support their professional development in FY26. Examples include but not limited to: Professional certifications, attending or presenting at a conference, professional society memberships, online or in-person trainings, webinars.
New Faculty and Advisor Upgrade Resources Available
August 08, 2025
On July 28, 2025, the Faculty and Advisor menu and pages in UAOnline were upgraded to the newest version. To help with the transition, we have created and posted new resources, including a recording of the live demo, new short 2-4 minute how-to videos, new resource guides, and updated FAQs.
Expedited Software Procurement Process for Renewals
August 08, 2025
We're making it easier to renew software that's already been approved. Based on your feedback, input from leadership, and compliance objectives, we've simplified the process--saving you time while still meeting regulatory and cybersecurity requirements.
Enhanced Navigation in UAOnline Starting July 28
July 25, 2025
On July 28, the UAOnline login page will be enhanced to make Employee, Finance, and Faculty and Advisor pages easier to find. These changes are made in conjunction with the upgrade to the Faculty and Advisor module.
Upgrade in UAOnline Impacting student Authorized Viewers (Proxies)
July 25, 2025
On Monday, July 28, 2025, an upgrade to UAOnline will occur, which will impact students who have or would like to set up authorized viewers (formerly known as proxies) to view their UAOnline information.