SAF - Working Group

Aparna Palmer
Chancellor
University of Alaska Southeast
Chancellor Palmer leads UAS's effort to boost recruitment and advancement by deepening community partnerships, expanding access to career-aligned programs, and ensuring every student who starts at UAS has a clear path to completion.
Denise Runge
Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
University of Alaska Anchorage
Provost Runge is driving the »Æ¹ÏÊÓÆµstudent success agenda through coordinated advising reform, targeted retention initiatives, and academic program alignment with Alaska's workforce needs.

Owen Guthrie
Vice Chancellor for Enrollment and Student Affairs
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Vice Chancellor Guthrie oversees UAF's recruitment pipeline and student support infrastructure, focusing on converting prospective students to graduates through intentional advising, financial access, and a strong sense of campus belonging.
»Æ¹ÏÊÓÆµSystem Office

Brian Smentkowski
Vice President & Chief Academic Officer
»Æ¹ÏÊÓÆµSystem

Michelle Rizk
Vice President of University Relations & Chief Strategy, Planning and Budget Officer
»Æ¹ÏÊÓÆµSystem
Rizk brings UA's strategic planning, budget, and university relations functions to the SAF Working Group, ensuring that attainment goals are integrated into institutional planning and effectively communicated to partners across the state.

Teri Cothren
Associate Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs
»Æ¹ÏÊÓÆµSystem
Cothren supports the coordination of academic and student affairs initiatives across UA, bringing a system-wide perspective to the SAF Working Group's efforts to align recruitment, retention, and graduation strategies across all three universities.
Board of Regents Ad Hoc Committee on Recruitment, Retention & Graduation
- Karen Perdue, Chair
- Steve Colligan
- Joey Crum
- Fernando Escobar
- Christine Resler
- Scott Jepsen, Ex Officio
