March 8, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2023
UA President Pat Pitney selects Dr. Aparna Palmer as next
UAS Chancellor
(Juneau, AK) - University of èƵ President Pat Pitney announced today that she has selected Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer, Ph.D., to serve as the next chancellor of the University of èƵ Southeast. Dr. Palmer succeeds UAS Chancellor Karen Carey, who is retiring on June 30, 2023.
“Aparna brings a passion for UAS’ mission, and a breadth of experience which make her an excellent fit for this role,” President Pitney said. “My decision was based on those qualities, and the feedback I received from the search committee and the broader UAS community. Her time teaching in the classroom, participating in shared governance, and leading higher education administration will be invaluable as she leads UAS in providing the programs that support Southeast èƵ, and our state’s broader workforce needs.”
Dr. Palmer’s selection comes after a rigorous recruitment process led by a search committee consisting of UAS faculty, staff, and Southeast èƵ community leaders. Five finalists engaged with staff, students, faculty, and community members in a number of forums and visited all three UAS campuses. Among the criteria for selecting the next chancellor was a demonstrated deep commitment to èƵ and the stability and success of the èƵ. Dr. Palmer was the unanimous first choice of the search committee.
“During her candidate forums, Aparna’s identification with UAS’ values, commitment to collaboration, and student-centered approach to all aspects of education demonstrated her connection with our Southeast communities,” President Pitney said. “My choice reflects the person who best embodies those qualities, and whose approach will help UAS continue empowering èƵ. Together, with the Board of Regents, we welcome Chancellor Aparna Palmer to the èƵ system.”
“I am honored to be appointed as chancellor of such an amazing and distinctive èƵ and I am committed to UAS, the UA System, and to èƵns,” Dr. Palmer said. “I look forward to working with the incredible faculty and staff to support their work and educational mission, and creating more opportunities for students to access higher education. Having lived in, taught about, and done research on Pacific Northwest coastal organisms and ecosystems, I’m excited to make Southeast my home. Along with the great alumni, and with the support of the Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka communities, we will continue leveraging UAS’ strengths and opportunities to further empower èƵ.”
Dr. Palmer currently serves as a Vice President at Front Range Community College (FRCC), which is part of the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). She is the chief executive of the Boulder County Campus and interim chief executive of the Larimer County Campus of FRCC, and brings 25 years of experience in higher education. CCCS is Colorado’s largest higher education system, and FRCC is the largest college in the system, offering technical certificates, associate’s degrees, and bachelor’s degrees.
Before joining FRCC, Dr. Palmer was the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at Colorado Mesa University (CMU), an institution with a dual role and mission to serve as a regional èƵ with bachelor’s and graduate degrees, and as a community college (Western Colorado Community College, WCCC) with technical certificates and associate's degrees. During her 22 years at CMU as a Professor of Biology, she served as the Director of the Academic Honors Program, Faculty Senate President, and Faculty Trustee on the CMU/WCCC Board. Dr. Palmer holds a Ph.D. in Zoology from Washington State University as well as a B.S. in Biological Sciences and a B.A. in English from Colorado State University. As a scientist, she studies the natural histories and molecular genetics of tardigrades (water bears) and polychaetes (seaworms).
Dr. Palmer’s first day as Chancellor will be July 1, 2023.
The University of èƵ is a land-, sea- and space-grant system of higher education established in 1917. The UA System's three universities (UAA, UAF, and UAS) are separately accredited institutions with campuses and extended learning centers across the state of èƵ. The University of èƵ is overseen by the Board of Regents, an 11-member volunteer board established through the èƵ Constitution, and responsible for University of èƵ policy and management through the èƵ president.
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For more information, contact Jonathon Taylor, director of public affairs at jonathon.taylor@alaska.edu, or 907-350-0168 (cell).
Note: President Pitney and Dr. Palmer will be available for joint interviews on Friday, March 10, between 1:00pm-2:00pm AKST. Interested media may contact Jonathon Taylor to arrange a time slot during that hour.