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Oct. 8, 2026
Dear faculty and staff members,
I am excited to share that we are launching a national search for UAF’s next provost
and executive vice chancellor. This is an important moment to shape the future of
academic leadership at UAF.
We have partnered with WittKieffer, a leading executive search firm, to help recruit
a diverse candidate pool and guide our committee through an open and inclusive process.
Campus input will be central throughout: The perspectives, experiences and priorities
of our faculty, staff and students will directly inform the qualities we look for
in our next provost.
In collaboration with Faculty Senate leadership, deans and directors, and core cabinet,
we have formed a search committee to work directly with WittKieffer throughout the
search process. The committee’s charge is to help shape the position profile, recruit
qualified candidates, evaluate consistently, narrow the pool to the final candidates,
and provide the chancellor with a written assessment of each finalist’s key strengths
and areas for consideration, without ranking the candidates. Thank you to the following
faculty, staff and students for their commitmentÌý to serve:
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Bill Schnabel, co-chair, dean, College of Engineering and Mines
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Jak Maier, co-chair, professor, Community and Technical College
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Trent Sutton, vice provost and accreditation liaison officer
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Kaydee Van Flein, associate vice chancellor for student affairs
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Emeline Jones, director, UAF Graduate School
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Tim Howe, research professional, ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Stable Isotope Facility
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Jackson Nelson, graduate student, Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce
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Amy Cooper, associate professor, College of Business and Security Management
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Genova Boyd, associate professor, Rasmuson Library
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Laura Zimin, assistant professor, College of Indigenous Studies
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Zoë Marie Jones, associate professor, College of Liberal Arts
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Diane Wagner, professor, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
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Jakir Hasan, research assistant professor, Institute of Agriculture, Natural Resources
and Extension
Your voice matters
A successful search depends on hearing from the UAF community. As the search progresses,
the committee and WittKieffer will provide opportunities for faculty, staff, students
and other stakeholders to share their perspectives on the essential qualities needed
in UAF’s next provost. These perspectives will be reflected in recruitment materials.
The community will also be invited to meet with finalists when they visit campus and
provide feedback. Additional information about opportunities to provide input will
be shared on the UAF provost search landing page as the search moves forward. We encourage all members of the UAF community to participate
and help inform this important decision.Ìý
Search timeline
The search timeline is designed to move the process forward efficiently while allowing
for meaningful opportunities for engagement and careful consideration of candidates.
Current timeline expectations are:
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October 2026: Search committee is formed, and search partner WittKieffer is retained
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November 2026: In-person listening sessions hosted, and community survey distributedÌý
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November 2026-January 2027: National recruiting underwayÌý
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Early 2027: Search committee reviews and evaluates candidates, interviews first-round
candidates and recommends finalists
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Spring 2027: On-campus interviews with finalists, with opportunity for community input
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Spring 2027: Final selection by chancellor and appointment
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Fall 2027: Provost on campus
This search represents a significant moment for UAF. Thank you to our search committee
members for taking on this vital work, and thank you to our entire campus community
for lending your voice to this process.
You can find more information regarding the provost search on the provost search website.
– Russ Vander Lugt, chancellor
Ad summum!
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