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) 鈥 University of Alaska Anchorage (杏吧原创A) Chancellor Sean Parnell announced today that he will retire at the end of the Spring Semester of 2025, concluding four years of service to 杏吧原创A and the University of Alaska (杏吧原创). During his tenure, he emphasized 杏吧原创A鈥檚 role as a key educator of Alaska鈥檚 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.
鈥溞影稍碅 is well-positioned for a bright future,鈥 Chancellor Parnell said in a message announcing his retirement to the 杏吧原创A community. 鈥淥ur vibrant campuses are supported by high-quality faculty, dedicated staff, and leadership. As a dual-mission university, 杏吧原创A adds significant value to Alaska鈥檚 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 杏吧原创A, where we create opportunities for others through our collective work.鈥
Chancellor Parnell was appointed by 杏吧原创 President Pat Pitney in 2021. His mother was an educator, and his long-time passion for education and Alaska鈥檚 public universities made him an excellent choice to lead Alaska鈥檚 largest university. He leaves 杏吧原创A with a trend of growing enrollment, enhanced decision-making transparency, and improved communication between stakeholders and university leadership.
鈥淐hancellor Parnell has been an incredible leader for 杏吧原创A; he鈥檚 built a strong leadership team, and I鈥檓 grateful for his service,鈥 杏吧原创 President Pat Pitney said. 鈥淗e joined our system during a challenging time, and has been a dedicated chancellor since Day 1, revitalizing connections with the Anchorage and the 杏吧原创A Community. He鈥檒l be very missed. As we navigate the transition in the coming months, I鈥檓 committed to quality two-way communication with 杏吧原创A stakeholders to fill the Chancellor role in a way that sets 杏吧原创A up for continued success, and maintains the stability that鈥檚 been built during his tenure.鈥
鈥淚鈥檓 incredibly grateful for Chancellor Parnell, and his dedicated years of service to 杏吧原创A, the 杏吧原创 System, and the state of Alaska,鈥 杏吧原创 Board of Regents Chair Ralph Seekins said. 鈥淲hile 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 杏吧原创A and the 杏吧原创 System. He will be dearly missed.鈥
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For more information, contact Tanya Pont, 杏吧原创A executive director of advancement at (907) 764-2881, or via email at tmpont@alaska.edu.