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2.A.2 Leadership

The institution has an effective system of leadership, staffed by qualified administrators, with appropriate levels of authority, responsibility, and accountability who are charged with planning, organizing, and managing the institution and assessing its achievements and effectiveness.

The Chancellor’s Core Cabinet is a group of senior university administrators who steer UAF’s academic, research, and service mission, and includes the five vice chancellors, the executive director of university advancement, and the chief of staff (Table 1). This group is convened by the chancellor (see Appendix 2.A.2.1.a for the biography and for interim Chancellor Larry Hinzman [effective 01 June through 07 September 2026] and Appendix 2.A.2.1.b for the biography and for Chancellor-designee Russell Vander Lugt [effective starting on 08 September 2026]) and meets weekly for the purpose of sharing information, coordinating efforts, resolving university-related issues, and pursuing collaborative initiatives to advance the university’s mission and vision. Leveraging their collective knowledge and expertise, the Chancellor’s Core Cabinet serves as an advisory group to the chancellor, reviewing matters of academic, research, and administrative policy and making recommendations. The group also functions as a body focused on implementation and providing oversight for operational matters and develops strategies and solutions to resolve issues that involve their individual units and the institution collectively.

Table 1. Chancellor’s Core Cabinet Membership

Position	Name	Highest Degree Earned
Interim Chancellor (01 June - 07 September 2026)	Larry Hinzman	Ph.D.
Chancellor (effective 08 September 2026)	Russell Vander Lugt	Ph.D.
Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor	Charlene Stern	Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services	Julie Queen	M.B.A.
Vice Chancellor for Research	Laura Conner	Ph.D.
Interim Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community and Native Education	Bryan Uher	M.P.A.
Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management	Owen Guthrie	M.A.
Executive Director of University Advancement	Thomas Hough	M.A.
Chief of Staff	Derek Miller	M.B.A.

 

The five vice chancellors report directly to the chancellor and are responsible for assisting in administering the university (see Appendix 2.A.2.2 for the Chancellor’s Organizational Chart). Areas of administration include Academic Affairs; Administrative Services; Research; Rural, Community and Native Education; and Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Each section below provides a brief overview of the responsibilities of each member of the Chancellor’s Core Cabinet along with their organizational structure for the units for which they oversee in their leadership capacity.

Academic Affairs. The provost and executive vice chancellor (biography and provided for interim Provost and EVC Charlene Stern in Appendix 2.A.2.3) is the chief academic officer for the university and is responsible for overseeing and aligning academic policies and priorities and ensuring the quality of the faculty and student body on the Troth Yeddha’ ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ. There are five academic colleges (Business and Security Management, Engineering and Mines, Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, Liberal Arts, Natural Science and Mathematics), one academic school (Education), and one academic division (Exploratory Studies and Academic Success) on the Troth Yeddha’ ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ (see Appendix 2.A.2.4 for the). Each of these units is led by a dean that is the chief academic and administrative officer of their college, school, or division, and each of these deans report directly to the provost. Deans provide leadership in the college, school, or divisions’ research, teaching, and/or service missions and have additional responsibilities tied to the unique disciplinary focus and mission of their unit.

Administrative Services. The vice chancellor for administrative services (VCAS; biography and provided for VCAS Julie Queen in Appendix 2.A.2.5) is the chief administrative and financial officer for the university. The VCAS is responsible for overseeing the (see Appendix 2.A.2.6 for the Administrative Services Organizational Chart).

Research. The vice chancellor for research (biography and provided for VCR Laura Conner in Appendix 2.A.2.7) is responsible for the university’s research mission, which includes . Additional areas included under this oversight are UAF research facilities, research support and recharge centers, federal research engagement, and the communication of research findings through community outreach.

Rural, Community and Native Education. The vice chancellor for rural, community and Native education (RCNE; biography and provided for interim VC-RCNE Bryan Uher in Appendix 2.A.2.8) works with the provost to ensure alignment of academic policies and priorities and quality of the faculty and student body at the Community and Technical ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ, ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ of Indigenous Studies, and the four rural campuses. The VC-RCNE also oversees the development of the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center, which will serve as a central Alaska Native gathering place on the UAF campus with classes, services and activities that will affirm Alaska Native culture and contributions across Alaska.

Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. The vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management (SAEM; biography and provided for VC-SAEM Owen Guthrie in Appendix 2.A.2.9) is the chief enrollment officer and senior student affairs officer. In this capacity, the VC-SAEM guides enrollment and student life strategy at the university through oversight of numerous student-oriented units. These include the offices of Admissions; Rights, Compliance and Accountability (ORCA); Disability Services; Financial Aid; Grants and Contracts Administration; and Registrar.Departments include Residence Life, Military and Veteran Services, Dining Services and Contract Operations, Nanook Recreation, and Student Health and Counseling. Other units include the Academic Advising Center, the Center for Student Engagement, and the Associated Students of the ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ (ASUAF). See Appendix 2.A.2.10 for the . 

Executive Director of University Advancement. The executive director of University of Advancement  (EDUA; biography and provided for EDUA Thomas Hough in Appendix 2.A.2.11) oversees fundraising, alumni relations, and strategic communications to strengthen UAF’s reputation and relationships. This position focuses on building donor and community support, guiding advancement strategy, and telling the university’s story in ways that elevate its mission and impact. Offices that report to the EDUA include Alumni Relations, Development, and University Relations.

Chief of Staff. The chief of staff (CoS; biography and provided for CoS Derek Miller in Appendix 2.A.2.12) supports university leadership by managing special projects, coordinating key initiatives across academic and research units, and advising senior administrators to help advance the university’s mission. This position helps streamline processes, solve complex problems, and expand the executive capacity of the chancellor’s office by working with cabinet members, deans and directors, and units on strategic planning, policy oversight, and cross-campus collaboration.