UAA Chancellor Search
In January of 2025, UAA Chancellor Sean Parnell announced his intent to retire at the end of the spring 2025 semester. UA President Pat Pitney has named an interim chancellor to lead UAA upon Chancellor Parnell's retirement, and convened a search committee to guide the search for UAA's next permanent Chancellor.
Finalist Candidates & Campus Visit Details
Jennifer Capps, Ph.D. | Diane Hirshberg, Ph.D. | John R. Ballard, Ph.D. | Aaron Dotson, Ph.D.
Candidate Forums and Community Engagement Events
Your UAA ID is required to and submit candidate questions. All forums will take place from 9:00-10:30am on the Third Floor of the UAA/APU Consortium Library, Room 307. Remote attendance is available, but in-person attendance is encouraged if possible.
UAA Students, Staff, and Faculty are invited and encouraged to register for upcoming forums with finalists for the position of UAA Chancellor. Your perspective matters and will help shape the future of our èƵ.
Forum Dates and finalists:
- Tuesday, Sept. 9 – Jennifer Capps, Ph.D.
- Friday, Sept. 12 – Diane Hirshberg, Ph.D.
- Tuesday, Sept. 16 – John R. Ballard, Ph.D.
- Thursday, Sept. 18 – Aaron Dotson, Ph.D.
Each forum will feature a brief presentation by the candidate followed by an interactive Q&A. You can submit questions in advance through the , and elected governance leaders will read them during the session. After each forum, you’ll have an opportunity to share feedback.
Please log in with your UAA identity to complete the . While remote attendance will be available to accommodate all campuses, we encourage in-person participation if possible.
All forums will take place from 5:30pm-7pm on the Third Floor of the UAA/APU Consortium Library.
These events offer a unique opportunity to meet the candidates, hear their vision for UAA and share your feedback. Your voice is vital in helping shape the future of our èƵ’s leadership.
Dates and finalists:
- Monday, Sept. 8 – Jennifer Capps, Ph.D.
- Thursday, Sept. 11 – Diane Hirshberg, Ph.D.
- Monday, Sept. 15 – John R. Ballard, Ph.D.
- Wednesday, Sept. 17 – Aaron Dotson, Ph.D.
Location: UAA/APU Consortium Library, Third Floor, Room 307
Time: 5:30–7 p.m.
Program format:
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5:30–6 p.m.: Reception and informal networking
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6–7 p.m.: Q&A session
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- Each candidate will begin by responding to a prompt provided in advance.
- This will be followed by pre-submitted questions from registered guests.
- The remaining time is open for questions from attendees.
Registration is encouraged due to planning purposes. We hope you will attend and engage in these important conversations. Your participation will help ensure UAA’s next leader reflects the values and aspirations of our broader community.
Jennifer Capps, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt
Visit Dates: September 8–9
Dr. Jenn Capps has served as the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (Cal Poly Humboldt) since 2020 where she serves as the institution’s chief academic officer, supporting the implementation of the University’s academic mission and providing curricular and administrative leadership. Dr. Capps co-led the self-study process that resulted in Humboldt’s transition to the California State University’s third polytechnic campus. She advocated to secure a historic $458 million investment from California Governor Gavin Newsom and the state legislature which has been used to launch several new academic and student support programs, build new academic facilities and dorms, upgrade lab spaces, expand broadband, and invest in renewable energy research capacity.
Increasing access to education is central to Dr. Capps’ work and she has led several key initiatives in this area including establishing the Individualized Degree Program (IDP), launching the first bachelor's degree program at Pelican Bay State Prison, expanding dual enrollment, and increasing transfer pathways with community colleges.
Prior to her time at Cal Poly Humboldt, Dr. Capps served as the Dean of the College of Professional Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver from 2018 to 2020. She is a tenured full professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology with expertise in the intersectionality of health, criminology and psychology. She has additional expertise in high-risk juvenile offenders, and has served as an expert witness on behalf of juveniles previously sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. She earned her B.S. in Developmental Psychology from George Mason University and then went on to pursue an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Colorado. She received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Northern Colorado and is a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Diane Hirshberg, Ph.D.
Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of èƵ Anchorage
Visit Dates: September 11-12
Diane Hirshberg, Ph.D., has been the Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research for almost four years and a Professor of Education Policy at the University of èƵ Anchorage for twenty-two years. She also serves as Vice-President Academic for the University of the Arctic (UArctic). Dr. Hirshberg has conducted research on education policy issues in èƵ and across the circumpolar north, with a particular focus on rural and Indigenous education issues, teacher supply and demand, and the role of education in sustainable development in the Arctic, and she was the founding director of the UAA Center for èƵ Education Policy Research in ISER.
Dr. John Ballard is a public higher education leader known for successfully guiding institutions through strategic renewal, mission alignment, and complex change. He currently serves as President of the National Intelligence University. Having successfully navigated a significant change process, he oversees a multi-campus system that delivers workforce-relevant certificates and both bachelors and masters degrees to global learners. His leadership experience spans three continents, including founding education roles in New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, and senior academic appointments in Virginia, Rhode Island, New York and Washington, DC.
Dr. Ballard’s career reflects a deep commitment to increasing student success, collaborative governance, innovation and continual improvement. As inaugural Provost of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, he guided accreditation recovery, curriculum development, and crisis response—demonstrating vision and collaborative governance. His tenure as Vice President at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities advanced student success across diverse public institutions. In the UAE and New Zealand he developed new programs with significant positive regional impact.
A historian by training and an internationally recognized expert in strategic leadership and national security, Dr. Ballard has published seven books on topics ranging from history to conflict resolution and educating strategic leaders. His leadership and service have earned him the Director of National Intelligence Distinguished Service Award, the Secretary of Transportation Superior Achievement and Innovation Awards, the Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award, and multiple military decorations including the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star.
Dr. Ballard earned his B.S. from the United States Naval Academy, his M.A. from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and his Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America. His leadership is grounded in strong commitment to transparency, effective communication, cultural partnerships, and a vision for higher education that integrates research, active learning and workforce development, fosters community engagement, and delivers employment results.
Aaron Dotson, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Research, University of èƵ Anchorage
Visit Dates: September 17-18
A longtime èƵn and Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of èƵ Anchorage (UAA), Dr. Dotson oversees the èƵ’s sponsored project portfolio and forges partnerships that strengthen èƵ’s workforce, industries, and communities. Since joining UAA in 2010, he has advanced from faculty member to senior leader while maintaining a people-first approach to leadership.
Dr. Dotson earned his Ph.D. and M.S.E. in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Arizona State University, his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona, and his A.S. in Science from Pima Community College.
Search Timeline:
- May 7, 2025: Recruitment Launch
- June 6, 2025: Committee Begins Rolling Review to Identify Semi-finalists
- Late July 2025: Virtual Interviews with Semi-finalists
- August 2025: Finalists Recommended to President Pitney
- September 2025: Finalists Visit Campus for In-Person Meetings
- October 2025: Chancellor Announcement
Latest Updates
UAA Chancellor Position Profile
The University of èƵ Anchorage (“UAA”) invites applications and nominations for
the position of Chancellor.
With this profile, the Search Committee seeks to provide nominators and potential
candidates with information about UAA, the position, and participation in the search.
DOWNLOAD 2025 POSITION PROFILE
UAA encourages applications from experienced leaders with a strong record of organizational success and executive-level management. While experience in higher education is valued, the èƵ also welcomes candidates from nontraditional backgrounds — including business, industry, nonprofit, government and other sectors — who bring demonstrated leadership, a broad network that immediately brings value to UAA, a commitment to community engagement and the ability to build meaningful partnerships that advance UAA’s mission and impact across èƵ.
UAA Chancellor Search Committee
The search committee for UAA’s next permanent chancellor has been formed, with members representing a broad array of stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, community campuses, and key community partners. The committee is charged with publicizing the search, vetting potential candidates, and making recommendations for finalists to President Pitney. The search committee will be instrumental throughout the recruitment process by communicating the opportunity within the state of èƵ and nationally and identifying qualified candidates who will be considered for the role of chancellor, currently intended to be announced during the Fall 2025 semester.
The search committee is co-chaired by UA Faculty Alliance Chair/UAA Faculty Senate Past-President Dr. Jackie Cason, and Chugach èƵ Corporation Board Chair and former UA Regent and Board Chair Sheri Buretta. In addition to the co-chairs, the committee includes:
- Arel Gutierrez — USUAA President & UAA Student
- Brandon McKinney — UAA Staff Council President & UAA Staff Member
- Dr. Marie Gardner — Mat-Su Community College Director
- Dr. Carrie King — UAA Faculty
- Dr. Kevin Berry — UAA Faculty
- Dr. Alex Hills — Distinguished Service Professor, Carnegie Mellon University
- Ella Goss — CEO of Providence èƵ Medical Center
- Scott Habberstad — èƵ Airlines Managing Director-èƵ Market
- Chris King — Vice President, Operations of AVIS, èƵ Rent A Car, Inc.
Key Search Committee Responsibilities:
- Communicate broadly throughout the search
- Develop, recommend, and publish a search committee process and timeline
- Identify and recommend desirable attributes for a UAA Chancellor
- Share the position advertisement
- Identify and develop screening criteria
- Solicit a diverse candidate pool
- Inform the candidates about the èƵ and the position
- Evaluate the candidates against the desired attributes
- Narrow the candidate pool to three to five
- Provide information about the candidate pool
- Socialize the finalists with the èƵ community through town hall meetings and other events, and collect feedback.
Support:
- Communications Support: UAA Executive Director for University Advancement Tanya Pont, System Office Director of Public Affairs Jonathon Taylor, and other communication team members, including Katie Bender, Keenan Britt, and Monique Musick will help the committee communicate broadly to include websites, written updates, town halls, and other engagements.
- UA Vice President for University Relations Michelle Rizk will assist the committee in an advisory capacity, along with Raegan Kelliher, executive assistant to the chancellor. Chris Triplett (UA HR Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist) and Helen Sale (Lead Human Resources Coordinator) will advise the committee on hiring policy and provide administrative support.