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December 9, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9, 2020

UA Interim President Pat Pitney names Dr. Bruce Schultz as
Interim UAA Chancellor

̽����ѡ Interim President Pat Pitney has appointed Dr. Bruce Schultz to serve as ̽����ѡ Anchorage (UAA) Interim Chancellor. Schultz will begin in that role on January 4, 2021 succeeding outgoing chancellor Cathy Sandeen. He is expected to serve in that capacity until  a permanent chancellor is named. The search will begin later this month. 

“Bruce brings a steady hand and long history of commitment to student success and  enrollment management,” Pitney said. “He was instrumental in preparing UAA for the fall semester under a COVID environment, and he knows how to mobilize the UAA community to address the critical issues it faces. He will be a huge asset to UAA and to the ̽����ѡ, and I am happy to welcome him to the leadership team.”

As interim chancellor, Schultz will work to create stability as the university adapts to a smaller operational budget resulting from the governor’s compact and the COVID environment. He will also be charged with maintaining momentum for UAA's cost reduction initiatives and setting the groundwork for improving the UAA experience for Alaska Native faculty, students and staff at UAA.  

Schultz currently is UAA’s Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, but his career in leadership roles at UAA spans nearly three decades. As Vice Chancellor, he led the development of a culture of assessment in student affairs, created the Military and Veterans Student Services Office, supported a multi-year transformation of UAA’s enrollment services operations, and restructured student affairs to improve effectiveness while addressing significant reductions in funding. 

"I am honored to serve as UAA's interim chancellor and look forward to advancing our mission of teaching, research, engagement and creative expression," Schultz said. "This university plays a vital role in educating the people of Alaska and enriching communities across the state. I look forward to ensuring UAA continues with the progress we have achieved under the leadership of outgoing Chancellor Sandeen until we welcome UAA's next Chancellor in the coming months."

Schultz holds a bachelor's degree in International Business and German from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and a Master of Education in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from Ball State University. He received his doctorate in Educational and Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne and his doctoral dissertation was a descriptive study of freshmen adjustment to college at the ̽����ѡ.

Schultz’s selection as interim comes after an expedited but inclusive process led by a four-member review committee, supported by the HR team. The search for the permanent chancellor will begin later this month. The selection process will be extensive with ample opportunity for UAA and public input. Pitney expects to make a selection for UAA’s next chancellor in spring 2021.

The ̽����ѡ Anchorage is Alaska’s largest university, educating nearly 12,000 students annually. UAA’s mission is to discover and disseminate knowledge through teaching, research, engagement and creative expression. Learn more at.

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For more information, contact Roberta Graham, associate vice president of public affairs at 907-360-2416 (cell).

Dr. Bruce Schultz, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs - Download image