University of Alaska Regents recognize student excellence, future opportunities at September Board Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2026

First full board meeting for new UA President includes consideration of new tuition structure, student support strategies

(JUNEAU) - The University of Alaska (UA) Board of Regents reviewed FY28 budget development plans, and strategies to increase enrollment and student success during their Sept. 2-3 meeting in Juneau this week. The meeting comes at the start of the Fall 2026 semester, as initial enrollment data shows that investments in student recruitment, retention, and graduation initiatives are bearing fruit.

“As we start the new Academic Year, it’s clear our investments in student recruitment, retention and graduation are bearing fruit and supporting excellence across the system,“ UA Board of Regents Chair Scott Jepsen said. “Each of the universities’ core academic strengths are helping set students up for success in the workplace and empower Alaska. On behalf of the board, I welcome students back to campus, and thank our faculty and staff systemwide for their work to support our academic and research mission.”

The meeting was the first regular Board meeting for UA President Matthew Cooper, who has been officially on the job for one month as of today.

“I'm excited to be back at UA and to support and advance our shared mission of inspiring learning, and advancing and disseminating knowledge through teaching, research, and service,” President Cooper said. “As we focus on putting students first and preparing them for Alaska’s workforce, our resources and opportunities will continue to grow. It’s an honor to have been selected to lead this institution, and I look forward to the progress we’ll continue to make for our students, our state, and the people of Alaska.”

Investing in the Future: Tuition, Budgets and Artificial Intelligence

During Wednesday’s Academic and Student Affairs (ASA) Committee and the full Board meeting on Thursday, Regents received updates on efforts to simplify student bills as a part of the Tuition Transparency (T2) project. The proposed tuition rates for Fall 2027 also include a shift to a “program-based tuition model”, which will allow students to better predict their cost of attendance.

The shift will make it easier for students to calculate and compare costs, and will integrate tuition surcharges into tuition rates to allow financial aid to cover more of the cost of attendance. The proposals follow the Board’s August decision to eliminate non-resident tuition. More information is posted to the tuition transparency website. The Board will approve final tuition rates in November.

“Over 75% of students who graduate from a UA institution stay and work in Alaska long term,” President Cooper remarked. “Tuition Transparency is a concerted effort to respond to student concerns and improve their experience at our universities. Ultimately, those efforts will make us more competitive in the post-secondary education marketplace, and help us grow and educate Alaska’s future workforce.”

During the full Board Meeting on Thursday, Vice President of University Relations Michelle Rizk presented the first draft of the FY28 budget. The proposed FY28 Operating and Capital Budgets include targeted investments to support the Students-First Action Agenda, research programs, and fixed-cost increases, including cybersecurity and utility costs. Regents will vote to approve the final recommended budget at the November Board meeting.

The Audit & Finance Committee will meet again in October to further review and discuss the budget and help shape the proposal that is put before the Board in November

Also Thursday, Chief Information Technology Officer Ben Shier led the Board in a discussion on “AI Engaged,” a roadmap forward for UA to help lead artificial intelligence innovation in Alaska. The statement establishes guiding principles, investment priorities, and System-wide expectations. It sets shared System-level direction while preserving UAA, UAF, and UAS’s responsibility for curriculum, research, academic integrity, and faculty instructional judgment, and affirms that student learning remains the heart of the University's mission. Following Board approval of the statement in November, a systemwide committee will be created to lead the implementation of those principles.

During the Audit & Finance Committee Meeting on Wednesday, Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer Luke Fulp led the Board through a review of ongoing annual university audits and the quarterly financial briefing.

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan joined the Board via Zoom on Thursday and spoke with regents emphasizing the university’s importance as America’s Arctic university and opportunities for federal and military partnerships.

Supporting Student Success and Alaska’s Workforce

During the Academic and Student Affairs (ASA) Committee meeting on Wednesday, Associate Vice President Teri Cothren shared progress on the Students First Action Agenda, highlighting notable progress on improved student advising strategies that are contributing to increased retention at all three universities. Vice President and Chief Academic Officer Brian Smentkowski highlighted the results of the Spring 2026 Student Success Survey and provided an overview of the university’s high-demand workforce programs.

“Engaged students are retained students,” said Vice President Smentkowski. “Retained students are successful students. And successful students leave the University of Alaska to go on and do great things.”

Also during ASA, President Cooper and University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Chancellor Cheryl Siemers updated the Board on the universities’ Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) proposals. Congress created the RHTP in 2025 to strengthen rural communities across America by improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes through transforming the healthcare delivery ecosystem. Roughly $272 million in federal funding was awarded to Alaska for the program’s first year.

Recognizing Excellence: Degree Recipients and the Education Trust of Alaska

Regents formally approved degree recipients for last Academic Year. A total of 3,659 degrees were awarded last year, up 238 degrees from 3,421 in AY25. Systemwide, of all degrees awarded:

36.2% were at the Bachelor level,
14.0% were Masters,
13.0% were Occupational Endorsement Certificates (OEC),
12.2% were Associate of Applied Science, and
11.3% were Associate of Arts, and 6.5% were 2-year certificates.

The remaining 6.8% were split between licensure, 1-year certificates, and PhDs.

The Board also approved a resolution celebrating the Education Trust of Alaska's 25th anniversary. For a quarter-decade, the trust has helped families save for education, and the resolution recognizes the Trust's award-winning program, stewardship, and its vital support for University of Alaska enrollment. The Trust has distributed over $10 billion to 566,000 students to date, with another $12 billion actively invested for 324,000 future scholars nationwide.

The University of Alaska Board of Regents is an 11-member volunteer board, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Alaska Legislature. Members serve an eight-year term, with the exception of the student regent, who serves a two-year term. The board was established through the Alaska Constitution and is responsible for University of Alaska policy and management through the university president.

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For more information, contact Jonathon Taylor, director of public affairs, at 907-350-0168 (cell), or via email at jmtaylor9@alaska.edu.

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