Strategic planning committees begin work

January 9, 2019

Tori Tragis

UAF's strategic planning effort began officially Nov. 29, 2018. The new plan will cover 2019-2025. Some 100 students, staff and faculty were invited to serve on one of six committees based on Chancellor White's six strategic planning goals.


The committees completed their first round of meetings on or before Dec. 21, 2018, and are submitting working drafts to the steering committee. A list of the six goals and committee members can be found at https://uaf.edu/strategic/.

Committee members were nominated by the chancellor's leadership team, deans, directors and departments heads, and through self-nomination.

The strategic planning steering committee, made up of the committee chairs and chaired by executive officer Nickole Conley, will work with the committees and Chancellor White's core leadership team to review and provide feedback on efforts being made throughout the process. The first review is scheduled to be completed by the steering committee on Monday, Jan. 14. Work by the committees and the steering committee is expected to be completed by the end of the spring 2019 semester and then distributed to the broader UAF community for input.

Strategic planning goals and committee chairs:




  1. Modernize the student experience (chair: Alex Hirsch, CLA)



  1. Solidify global leadership in Alaska Native and Indigenous programs (chair: Pat Sekaquaptewa, CRCD)



  1. Achieve Tier 1 research status (chair: Taryn Lopez, GI)



  1. Transform UAF’s IP development and commercialization process (chair: Peter Webley, GI)



  1. Embrace and grow a culture of respect, diversity, inclusivity and caring (chair: Jessie Young-Robertson, IARC)



  1. Revitalize key academic programs, from occupational endorsements to Ph.D.s (chair: Jennifer Tilbury, CTC)


Regular updates on strategic planning will be posted in Cornerstone. For more information contact Nickole Conley at 474-5626 or nlconley@alaska.edu.