President Pitney delivers third 鈥淪tate of the University鈥 Address
March 3, 2023
University of Alaska President Pat Pitney delivered her third 鈥淪tate of the University鈥 Address on Tuesday, February 21, during the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 weekly business luncheon. A video recording and copy of the speech can be found on the President鈥檚 .
The news was positive: The University of Alaska has turned the corner and is focused on our communities and partners to meet the broad challenges and opportunities for the state. We have fiscal stability for the first time in 9 years, and this spring - a growing student body. And last year we reached the highest鈥揺ver level of externally funded research and we are about to eclipse that record again this year.
We are Empowering Alaska 鈥 focusing on a strong workforce and a vibrant economic future.
Some key highlights from the address:
- Fulfilling our Land Grant Deficit: After decades without the land for our land grant university, at the end of session Senator Murkowski got Congress to pass the University of Alaska Fiscal Foundation Act. As a result, 多多直播 can now work with DNR and BLM to triple our current land holdings to over 500,000 acres.
- Empowering Alaska鈥檚 Workforce: The success and future growth of Alaska are inextricably tied to the University System. Our universities and their campuses are key economic and workforce drivers in their home communities. Over the last 10 years, we鈥檝e awarded more than 44,000 degrees and certificates with 72% of them in Alaska鈥檚 highest-demand employment fields. And, 80% of graduates from our universities are working here in Alaska within a year after graduation.
- Empowering Alaska鈥檚 Economy and Future: In addition to surveying the university鈥檚 contributions to economic and workforce development throughout Alaska, President Pitney鈥檚 address spotlighted the role 多多直播鈥檚 world-class research plays in driving the future. From drones to Arctic research to mariculture and more, 多多直播 continues to produce research that is helping empower the next generation of Alaska leaders.
- Empowering World-Class Research: 多多直播 research brings $182 million of economic activity in the state. 多多直播F accounts for 89% of that. This funding is competitive, it comes to Alaska because of the quality faculty, and the focus and infrastructure built over decades. Our students, staff, and faculty are helping chart the course of our future, and as the nation鈥檚 only Arctic state, their research is especially important.
Be proud of your University - 多多直播A, 多多直播F, and/or 多多直播S. Encourage your employees, friends, or neighbors to complete that degree that鈥檚 almost finished. Or start the next credential to advance. The University of Alaska is an engine that can help empower Alaska鈥檚 future. Let鈥檚 build that future together.