University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Parnell Announces Retirement at End of Spring Semester 2025

January 21, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 21, 2025

University of Alaska Anchorage Chancellor Parnell Announces Retirement at End of Spring Semester 2025

Outgoing chancellor leaves a legacy of community engagement after four years of service

(ANCHORAGE) - University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Chancellor Sean Parnell announced today that he will retire at the end of the Spring Semester of 2025, concluding four years of service to UAA and the University of Alaska (UA). During his tenure, he emphasized UAA's role as a key educator of Alaska's workforce while maintaining affordability and accessibility for students. In retirement, he plans to spend more time with family and friends, research, write, and continue coaching and teaching emerging leaders.

"UAA is well-positioned for a bright future," Chancellor Parnell said in a message announcing his retirement to the UAA community. "Our vibrant campuses are supported by high-quality faculty, dedicated staff, and leadership. As a dual-mission university, UAA adds significant value to Alaska's communities and employers through your efforts, and we offer a clear value proposition to our students as an affordable, accessible path to careers and meaningful lives. It has been an honor to serve at UAA, where we create opportunities for others through our collective work."

Chancellor Parnell was appointed by UA President Pat Pitney in 2021. His mother was an educator, and his long-time passion for education and Alaska's public universities made him an excellent choice to lead Alaska's largest university. He leaves UAA with a trend of growing enrollment, enhanced decision-making transparency, and improved communication between stakeholders and university leadership.

"Chancellor Parnell has been an incredible leader for UAA; he's built a strong leadership team, and I'm grateful for his service," UA President Pat Pitney said. "He joined our system during a challenging time, and has been a dedicated chancellor since Day 1, revitalizing connections with the Anchorage and the UAA Community. He'll be very missed. As we navigate the transition in the coming months, I'm committed to quality two-way communication with UAA stakeholders to fill the Chancellor role in a way that sets UAA up for continued success, and maintains the stability that's been built during his tenure."

"I'm incredibly grateful for Chancellor Parnell, and his dedicated years of service to UAA, the UA System, and the state of Alaska," UA Board of Regents Chair Ralph Seekins said. "While we are sad to see him leave at the end of the semester, the board looks forward to working collaboratively on finding the next person to fill that role. On behalf of myself and the Board, I thank Chancellor Parnell for his dedication to UAA and the UA System. He will be dearly missed."

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For more information, contact Tanya Pont, UAA executive director of advancement at (907) 764-2881, or via email at [email protected].