UA Newswire May 5, 2026

newswire

May 6, 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

Finding new ways to treat wastewater

M. S. I. Masum, a master’s student in civil engineering, is exploring new ways to treat wastewater — research that may hold the potential to benefit rural communities across Alaska, which often lack water and sewer service. His research is part of a larger team effort within the College of Engineering (CoEng) to develop solutions for domestic gray water treatment in rural Alaska as part of the Alaska Water and Sewer Challenge, an initiative from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.

Contact: Katie Bender

A man in a blue lab coat holds a glass beaker in front of his face M. S. I. Masum in the Environmental Engineering Lab (Photo by James Evans / University of Alaska Anchorage)

Photos: UAA celebrates Class of 2026 at spring commencement

The university celebrated the accomplishments of 1,647 certificate, undergraduate and graduate students during Sunday’s ceremony.

Contact: Katie Bender

UAA is producing more early childhood educators after reaccreditation, helping fill gap

More University of Alaska Anchorage students are studying to become early childhood educators, and the School of Education at UAA is graduating more educators than it had in recent years.

The program has seen a 272% boost in enrollment, including a jump among Alaska Native students and men, who are traditionally less represented in early childhood education.

Contact: Katie Bender

University of Alaska Fairbanks

U.S. nears IMS completion with Antarctic infrasound station

With the successful installation of infrasound station IS54 at Palmer Station in February, the United States has entered the final phase of completing its segment of the International Monitoring System (IMS), pending certification. This milestone marks the culmination of decades of planning and coordination, extending the global verification regime to one of the most remote and demanding environments on Earth.

Contact: Marmian Grimes

A man in a blue jacket stands on a rock mound next to four solar panels and a white box Gregory Brenn, Seismoacoustic Engineering Officer with the infrasound station. (Photo by Kate Schnippering)

‘Fresh Eyes on Ice’ Teaches Kids to Collect Vital Ice Data in Remote Alaskan Communities

Students measure ice thickness and monitor spring break-up to help save lives in areas where frozen rivers are used as roadways in this Smithsonian Magazine feature.

Contact: Marmian Grimes

To eat or be eaten? The dilemma facing ringed seals in Hudson Bay

A new research study suggests that while ringed seals generally avoid areas with lurking polar bears, they could be willing to risk higher predation levels for especially abundant food sources.

Contact: Marmian Grimes

University of Alaska Southeast

University of Alaska Southeast’s close-knit community highlighted at commencement

It was a change of scenery for the University of Alaska Southeast’s 55th commencement ceremony Sunday, but the 2026 graduating class felt the same atmosphere of a small campus with big opportunities.

Contact: Sal Hertz

A graduate in regalia hugs another graduate The three-hour commencement featured student and faculty speakers, the Mount Juneau Tlingit Dancers, and honorary tributes. (UAS photo)

Chancellor Dr. Aparna Palmer from the University of Alaska Southeast chats about accreditation, commencement, and summer courses

The UAS Chancellor talks commencement, the Gathering of the Drums and other local events on this local radio program.

Contact: Sal Hertz

UAS Writing Center unveils Summit anthology

In April, students previewed published work in the launch event for the 2026 collection of academic essays. Student authors read from their published essays, including Andrea Florendo, winner of the Ernestine Hayes Award for Excellence in Essay Writing. “Between Ravenstail & Chilkat robes: Transitional robes” details her personal, cultural and technical journey in weaving.

Contact: Sal Hertz

UA System Office

University of Alaska Board of Regents selects former general counsel as next president

The University of Alaska system will have a new president this summer. The Board of Regents appointed Fairbanks attorney Matt Cooper to the role. He formerly served as general counsel for the university.

Contact: Jonathon Taylor

President-Designee Matt Cooper (photo courtesy of Matt Cooper)

The University of Alaska keeps state strong

As the alumni associations representing UAA, UAF and UAS, we see the impact every day through the lives and careers of our fellow graduates. We see it in the nurse serving patients in a community that needs them, the teacher helping the next generation succeed, the engineer building critical infrastructure, the small-business owner creating jobs and the public servant working to strengthen local communities.

Contact: Jonathon Taylor

Saving for Tomorrow: Alaska 529 marks 25 years of opening doors

Paula Hill grew up in Hooper Bay, a small Yup’ik community on the Bering Sea coast. Her mother pushed all of her kids to pursue education beyond high school and enrolled them in Alaska’s college savings program to help make that happen.

Hill went on to attend UAF—and now she’s pushing her own daughters, ages 3 and 14, and saving for them too.

Contact: Lael Oldmixon

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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.