UAF chancellor finalists, campus visit dates announced

Four finalists in the search for a new chancellor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will visit Fairbanks and the Troth Yeddha’ Campus the week of May 4-8.

Each finalist will spend a day meeting with various campus groups and will participate in two open forums in the Schaible Auditorium and online:

• 9:15-10:45 a.m. — Students, staff and faculty forums 
• 5:30-7 p.m. — Community receptions and forums

Links to the online forums and additional information about the finalists are available on the UAF chancellor search webpage.

The search committee selected finalists from a pool of 50 applicants after a national search. The new chancellor is expected to be named by the end of May and start the job this summer, taking over for Interim Chancellor Mike Sfraga.

Following are the four finalists and the dates of their visits:

Monday, May 4 — Beena Sukumaran

Beena Sukumaran has served as dean of Miami University’s College of Engineering and Computing since 2020. Prior to that, she spent more than 20 years at Rowan University. Her roles included head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, president’s fellow for diversity and inclusion, and vice president for research. Before working in higher education, she was an engineer and consultant in the private sector. Sukumaran is a fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education and a Fulbright Specialist. She has a doctorate from Purdue University, a master’s degree from Auburn University and a bachelor's degree from Kerala University.

Wednesday, May 6 — William Schnabel

William Schnabel has served as dean of UAF’s College of Engineering and Mines at the University of Alaska Fairbanks since 2019. He joined the UAF faculty in 2007 and has served as a professor,researcher and director of the Institute of Northern Engineering. Prior to coming to UAF, he worked as a consulting engineer at firms in Iowa and Minnesota and as a faculty member at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Schnabel is a licensed professional engineer and a UAF alumnus. He has a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University, a master’s degree from the University of Iowa and a doctorate from UAF. 

Thursday, May 7 — Russ Vander Lugt 

Russ Vander Lugt is a colonel in the Army and currently serves as commander of the 11th Airborne Division’s Arctic Aviation Command at Fort Wainwright. He previously served as director of strategy, plans and programs for Alaskan Command, advising senior defense leaders on Arctic strategy and coordinating joint military activities in Alaska. He also served as assistant professor and department chair at the U.S. Military Academy and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He has a bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College, a master’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a master’s degree and doctorate from UAF. 

Friday, May 8 — Houssam Toutanji

Houssam Toutanji currently serves as dean of the Andrew J. Anagnost College of Engineering and Computer Science at California State University, Northridge. He has  more than three decades of experience in higher education as a professor, researcher and academic leader. Prior to beginning his career in higher education, he worked as a structural engineer in Massachusetts. Toutanji is a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a licensed professional engineer. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northeastern University and a doctorate from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

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