At the University of Alaska Anchorage, we believe your future should be as bold and unique as you are. As someone who’s spent a lifetime in education and community service, I can tell you there’s no better place to begin, continue or return to your educational journey than right here at UAA.
We’re Alaska’s largest and most accessible public university, and we embrace our role with purpose and pride. UAA’s distinctive dual mission combines the rigorous academic standards of a four-year university with practical hands-on, career-focused training. That means whether you’re just starting, changing careers or coming back to school after some time away, we’re ready to meet you where you are.
Our campuses across Southcentral Alaska — including Anchorage, Valdez, Homer, Kodiak, Soldotna and Mat-Su — are vibrant hubs of opportunity. At Kenai Peninsula College, for example, enrollment has grown by more than 60% in just three years. And our impact continues to grow statewide. The College of Health is expanding clinical space in Bethel, while the School of Education is transforming teacher retention in Bristol Bay. This kind of progress happens as a result of listening to our students, adapting to their needs and delivering education that’s flexible, affordable and relevant to their lives and communities.
At UAA, we’re deeply connected to the industries that drive Alaska’s economy — health care, construction, IT, aviation, education and more. Our faculty bring real-world experience into the classroom, and our programs are designed in partnership with local employers. That means when you graduate, you’re not just ready for a job, you’re ready for a meaningful career.
More than anything, UAA is a community. We serve learners of all ages and backgrounds from high school students in dual-enrollment programs to working parents juggling jobs and classes and first-generation college students blazing a trail for their families. Our students are welders and writers, paramedics and programmers, caregivers and creators. They are the future of Alaska, and we are honored to walk alongside them.
In a world that’s changing fast, UAA is a steady, supportive partner. We’re investing in student success at every stage, from recruitment to graduation, by simplifying processes, expanding support services and removing barriers. We know that choosing UAA isn’t just about starting college, it’s about finishing strong.
So if you’re wondering whether now is the right time, or whether UAA is the right place, let me say this: you belong here.
Stay close. Go far. Let’s build your future together.
Cheryl Siemers is interim chancellor, University of Alaska Anchorage.
