UA Newswire February 3, 2026

newswire

February 3, 2026

Research, workforce development and economic growth news stories and other feature articles from the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Southeast, University of Alaska System Office and the UA Foundation. Compiled by the University of Alaska System Office of Public Affairs.

University of Alaska Anchorage

State education board OKs UAA program aimed at tackling school psychologist shortage

The State Board of Education and Early Development unanimously approved a school psychology master’s program at the University of Alaska Anchorage aimed to address the state’s shortage of school psychologists. The approval took place during the board’s special virtual meeting on Thursday.

Contact: Katie Bender

A group of students sit in a lecture hall as the professor stands in front Students respond to a question as Psychology Associate Professor and Behavior Analysis Program Coordinator Mychal Machado teaches Lifespan Development in UAA's Rasmuson Hall.

Raising oil, corporate taxes is least-painful option for reducing Alaska deficits, ISER concludes

A new nonpartisan report by the Institute of Social and Economic Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage has concluded that raising oil and corporate taxes to balance Alaska’s budget likely has the lowest negative side effects for Alaskans’ jobs and income.

Contact: Katie Bender

Last meal before you die? A James Beard nominee talks food cravings and gnocchi

Bentley is an Alaska kid who started culinary school at King Tech High School in Anchorage, then attended the Culinary Arts program at the University of Alaska Anchorage before transferring for his final semester to Apicius International School of Hospitality in Florence, Italy.

Contact: Katie Bender

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Windracers ULTRA Drone Doubles Range, Set for Heavier Payloads

“Air cargo delivery to our remote communities is vital to life in Alaska, so we purchased the Windracers ULTRA aircraft to test how large unmanned aircraft can be safely used by Alaska air carriers to provide medical supplies and cargo to these communities,” said Cathy Cahill, University of Alaska Fairbanks Professor and Director of the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration, in October 2025...

Contact: Marmian Grimes

a drone in front of a blue sky With a maximum endurance of up to 10 hours, a rugged fixed-wing build, and powered by standard fuel, the drone can withstand harsh weather conditions, enabling it to support long-endurance cargo delivery to remote areas. (UAF photo)

Alaskan landslide study says climate change playing a big role

A University of Alaska Fairbanks study tracking landslide activity over more than a century finds events were rare before the 1980s – but have accelerated rapidly in recent decadesin line with rising air temperatures and changing precipitation patterns.

Contact: Marmian Grimes

Trump Is Right About the Arctic. He’s Wrong About Greenland.

The problems that are most likely to occur in a clash with an adversary require a wide range of options. During the winter, you can walk across the ice from Alaska to Russia. All it takes is one maritime incident to go wrong or one illegal abduction of a fishing vessel to spark a standoff between two — or even three — nuclear powers.

Contact: Marmian Grimes

University of Alaska Southeast

Lily Hope, master Chilkat and Ravenstail weaver and UAS adjunct professor, has received a 2026 United States Artists fellowship

In addition to teaching at UAS, Lily directs Wooshkindein Da.aat Lily Hope Weaver Studio, where she creates monumental robes, teaches intergenerational weaving and leads community-centered projects. The award includes $50,000 to support her work.

Contact: Sal Hertz

a woman stands in front of a weaved blanket

Lily Hope (UAS photo)

Sealaska adds more free Tlingit language courses

The asynchronous course is one of several free Tlingit language learning options currently available in the community. Through another grant, Sealaska Heritage Institute has been able to support free classes at the University of Alaska Southeast in all three Indigenous languages of the region. That open enrollment led to large increases in enrollment, Shanley said.

Contact: Sal Hertz

Sitka’s CTE program combines academics with hands-on experience

Mike Vieira, career and technical education instructor with the Sitka School District, joined the Morning Interview to discuss the evolving nature of vocational education, now called career and technical education (CTE). He discusses the district’s successful programs in trades like auto and diesel mechanics, and the new healthcare pathway developed with University of Alaska Southeast.

Contact: Sal Hertz

UA System Office

Did you know one student's internship journey took them from kelp bed to carrot bed exploring mariculture research?

Kuzma’s work connected tribal partners, UA academic programs, and agricultural researchers across the state. She worked with kelp harvested in coastal waters, processed it for community use, and helped apply it to agricultural research plots in Southcentral Alaska.

Contact: Rebecca Lawhorne

two carrots on paper towels comparing one grown with kelp fertilizer Researchers at UAF's Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center are studying kelp as a natural fertilizer and soil biostimulant for vegetable crops grown in Alaska, including carrots. (PWSC photo)

Avoiding the regret of debt for Alaska students. A Community Perspective by Lael Oldmixon

The trust commissioned focus groups and a survey of current University of Alaska students, parents of UA students, and 8th graders to gain a better understanding of existing awareness about the Alaska Performance Scholarship, Alaska 529, and University of Alaska scholarships; their college planning strategies; and motivations for attending the University of Alaska.

Contact: Lael Oldmixon

Even in extreme cold, EVs outperform diesel AND save drivers money

Backed by an NREL study that explored how EVs and EVSE perform in temperatures as low as -40 degrees C (-40 degrees F), researchers from the University of Alaska collected data from drivers in Kotzebue, Galena, and Bethel to determine where and how electric vehicles may be most useful. The study was called, “Are Electric Vehicles a Solution for Arctic Isolated Microgrid Communities?”

Contact: Katie Bender and Marmain Grimes

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The University of Alaska is an equal opportunity/equal access employer and educational institution. The university is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.