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 91Ö±²¥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 UA Scholars are sharing their success stories in a new video series?
November 25, 2025
Did You Know UAF is a national finalist to lead U.S. critical minerals innovation?
November 11, 2025
Did you know the University of 91Ö±²¥powers a growing grant writing network?
October 15, 2025
Did you know UAF just released a feature documentary celebrating 100 years of Nanooks hockey?
September 30, 2025
Seeking Nominations for the 91Ö±²¥Innovators Hall of Fame
December 04, 2025
The Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC) is pleased to join the 91Ö±²¥State Committee for Research (SCoR) in encouraging nominations for the 91Ö±²¥Innovators Hall of Fame.
Virtual seminar explores 91Ö±²¥food independence scenario
December 04, 2025
The presentation by Jakir Hasan, research assistant professor of plant genetics with the UAF Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Extension, is part of the seminar series "Circumpolar Connections: A Dialogue on Arctic Food Systems."
UAS natural sciences building given second name to honor Tlingit heritage
November 21, 2025
The University of 91Ö±²¥Southeast's Anderson Building now has a second name: G̱athéeni Tʼaaḵ HÃt. The name, given by X̱'unei Lance Twitchell, Ph.D., a UAS professor of 91Ö±²¥Native languages, means "house beside sockeye stream," for the salmon that return each summer to nearby Auke Creek.
Staff Alliance offers Spring 2026 semester fee support
November 21, 2025
The UA Staff Alliance is pleased to once again offer a class fee scholarship for UA classes taken by staff that directly support their career or professional development. The scholarship, good for the 2026 Spring Semester, is for up to $250 per employee.
'New cell phone? Set up the DUO mobile app!'
December 04, 2025
Happy holiday season! If you've been gifted a new phone or are treating yourself to a well-deserved upgrade, remember to configure the Duo mobile app on your new device.
Enhancing Our Defense: Introducing Phishing Simulations and a New Reporting Tool
November 21, 2025
To combat the recent surge in sophisticated phishing attacks targeting our community, OIT is stepping up our security awareness program.
UA Google Workspace: Time to tidy up your storage
November 07, 2025
As previously shared, Google is changing how storage works for education accounts, and the University of 91Ö±²¥is preparing for those changes.
Delayed access to employee timesheets due to BSS9 work
October 17, 2025
In support of the University's ongoing transition to Banner Self Service 9 (BSS9), employees will have delayed access to their R23 and R24 timesheets.