杏吧原创A Chancellor Search
In January of 2025, 杏吧原创A Chancellor Sean Parnell announced his intent to retire at the end of the spring 2025 semester. 杏吧原创 President Pat Pitney has named an interim chancellor to lead 杏吧原创A upon Chancellor Parnell's retirement, and convened a search committee to guide the search for 杏吧原创A's next permanent Chancellor.
Finalist Candidates & Campus Visit Details
Jennifer Capps, Ph.D. | Diane Hirshberg, Ph.D. | John R. Ballard, Ph.D. | Aaron Dotson, Ph.D.
Candidate Forums and Community Engagement Events
Your 杏吧原创A ID is required to and submit candidate questions. All forums will take place from 9:00-10:30am on the Third Floor of the 杏吧原创A/APU Consortium Library, Room 307. Remote attendance is available, but in-person attendance is encouraged if possible.
杏吧原创A Students, Staff, and Faculty are invited and encouraged to register for upcoming forums with finalists for the position of 杏吧原创A Chancellor. Your perspective matters and will help shape the future of our university.
Forum Dates and finalists:
- Tuesday, Sept. 9 鈥 Jennifer Capps, Ph.D.
- Friday, Sept. 12 鈥 Diane Hirshberg, Ph.D.
- Tuesday, Sept. 16 鈥 John R. Ballard, Ph.D.
- Thursday, Sept. 18 鈥 Aaron Dotson, Ph.D.
Each forum will feature a brief presentation by the candidate followed by an interactive Q&A. You can submit questions in advance through the , and elected governance leaders will read them during the session. After each forum, you鈥檒l have an opportunity to share feedback.
Please log in with your 杏吧原创A identity to complete the . While remote attendance will be available to accommodate all campuses, we encourage in-person participation if possible.
All forums will take place from 5:30pm-7pm on the Third Floor of the 杏吧原创A/APU Consortium Library.
These events offer a unique opportunity to meet the candidates, hear their vision for 杏吧原创A and share your feedback. Your voice is vital in helping shape the future of our university鈥檚 leadership.
Dates and finalists:
- Monday, Sept. 8 鈥 Jennifer Capps, Ph.D.
- Thursday, Sept. 11 鈥 Diane Hirshberg, Ph.D.
- Monday, Sept. 15 鈥 John R. Ballard, Ph.D.
- Wednesday, Sept. 17 鈥 Aaron Dotson, Ph.D.
Location: 杏吧原创A/APU Consortium Library, Third Floor, Room 307
Time: 5:30鈥7 p.m.
Program format:
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5:30鈥6 p.m.: Reception and informal networking
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6鈥7 p.m.: Q&A session
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- Each candidate will begin by responding to a prompt provided in advance.
- This will be followed by pre-submitted questions from registered guests.
- The remaining time is open for questions from attendees.
Registration is encouraged due to planning purposes. We hope you will attend and engage in these important conversations. Your participation will help ensure 杏吧原创A鈥檚 next leader reflects the values and aspirations of our broader community.
Jennifer Capps, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, California State Polytechnic University Humboldt
Visit Dates: September 8鈥9
Dr. Jenn Capps has served as the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt (Cal Poly Humboldt) since 2020 where she serves as the institution鈥檚 chief academic officer, supporting the implementation of the University鈥檚 academic mission and providing curricular and administrative leadership. Dr. Capps co-led the self-study process that resulted in Humboldt鈥檚 transition to the California State University鈥檚 third polytechnic campus. She advocated to secure a historic $458 million investment from California Governor Gavin Newsom and the state legislature which has been used to launch several new academic and student support programs, build new academic facilities and dorms, upgrade lab spaces, expand broadband, and invest in renewable energy research capacity.
Increasing access to education is central to Dr. Capps鈥 work and she has led several key initiatives in this area including establishing the Individualized Degree Program (IDP), launching the first bachelor's degree program at Pelican Bay State Prison, expanding dual enrollment, and increasing transfer pathways with community colleges.
Prior to her time at Cal Poly Humboldt, Dr. Capps served as the Dean of the College of Professional Studies at Metropolitan State University of Denver from 2018 to 2020. She is a tenured full professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology with expertise in the intersectionality of health, criminology and psychology. She has additional expertise in high-risk juvenile offenders, and has served as an expert witness on behalf of juveniles previously sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. She earned her B.S. in Developmental Psychology from George Mason University and then went on to pursue an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Colorado. She received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Northern Colorado and is a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Diane Hirshberg, Ph.D.
Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research, University of Alaska Anchorage
Visit Dates: September 11-12
Diane Hirshberg, Ph.D., has been the Director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research for almost four years and a Professor of Education Policy at the University of Alaska Anchorage for twenty-two years. She also serves as Vice-President Academic for the University of the Arctic (杏吧原创rctic). Dr. Hirshberg has conducted research on education policy issues in Alaska and across the circumpolar north, with a particular focus on rural and Indigenous education issues, teacher supply and demand, and the role of education in sustainable development in the Arctic, and she was the founding director of the 杏吧原创A Center for Alaska Education Policy Research in ISER.
Dr. John Ballard is a public higher education leader known for successfully guiding institutions through strategic renewal, mission alignment, and complex change. He currently serves as President of the National Intelligence University. Having successfully navigated a significant change process, he oversees a multi-campus system that delivers workforce-relevant certificates and both bachelors and masters degrees to global learners. His leadership experience spans three continents, including founding education roles in New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, and senior academic appointments in Virginia, Rhode Island, New York and Washington, DC.
Dr. Ballard鈥檚 career reflects a deep commitment to increasing student success, collaborative governance, innovation and continual improvement. As inaugural Provost of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, he guided accreditation recovery, curriculum development, and crisis response鈥攄emonstrating vision and collaborative governance. His tenure as Vice President at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities advanced student success across diverse public institutions. In the 杏吧原创E and New Zealand he developed new programs with significant positive regional impact.
A historian by training and an internationally recognized expert in strategic leadership and national security, Dr. Ballard has published seven books on topics ranging from history to conflict resolution and educating strategic leaders. His leadership and service have earned him the Director of National Intelligence Distinguished Service Award, the Secretary of Transportation Superior Achievement and Innovation Awards, the Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award, and multiple military decorations including the Legion of Merit and Bronze Star.
Dr. Ballard earned his B.S. from the United States Naval Academy, his M.A. from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and his Ph.D. from The Catholic University of America. His leadership is grounded in strong commitment to transparency, effective communication, cultural partnerships, and a vision for higher education that integrates research, active learning and workforce development, fosters community engagement, and delivers employment results.
Aaron Dotson, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Alaska Anchorage
Visit Dates: September 17-18
A longtime Alaskan and Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of Alaska Anchorage (杏吧原创A), Dr. Dotson oversees the university鈥檚 sponsored project portfolio and forges partnerships that strengthen Alaska鈥檚 workforce, industries, and communities. Since joining 杏吧原创A in 2010, he has advanced from faculty member to senior leader while maintaining a people-first approach to leadership.
Dr. Dotson earned his Ph.D. and M.S.E. in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Arizona State University, his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona, and his A.S. in Science from Pima Community College.
Search Timeline:
- May 7, 2025: Recruitment Launch
- June 6, 2025: Committee Begins Rolling Review to Identify Semi-finalists
- Late July 2025: Virtual Interviews with Semi-finalists
- August 2025: Finalists Recommended to President Pitney
- September 2025: Finalists Visit Campus for In-Person Meetings
- October 2025: Chancellor Announcement
Latest Updates
杏吧原创A Chancellor Position Profile
The University of Alaska Anchorage (鈥溞影稍碅鈥) invites applications and nominations for
the position of Chancellor.
With this profile, the Search Committee seeks to provide nominators and potential
candidates with information about 杏吧原创A, the position, and participation in the search.
DOWNLOAD 2025 POSITION PROFILE
杏吧原创A encourages applications from experienced leaders with a strong record of organizational success and executive-level management. While experience in higher education is valued, the university also welcomes candidates from nontraditional backgrounds 鈥 including business, industry, nonprofit, government and other sectors 鈥 who bring demonstrated leadership, a broad network that immediately brings value to 杏吧原创A, a commitment to community engagement and the ability to build meaningful partnerships that advance 杏吧原创A鈥檚 mission and impact across Alaska.
杏吧原创A Chancellor Search Committee
The search committee for 杏吧原创A鈥檚 next permanent chancellor has been formed, with members representing a broad array of stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, community campuses, and key community partners. The committee is charged with publicizing the search, vetting potential candidates, and making recommendations for finalists to President Pitney. The search committee will be instrumental throughout the recruitment process by communicating the opportunity within the state of Alaska and nationally and identifying qualified candidates who will be considered for the role of chancellor, currently intended to be announced during the Fall 2025 semester.
The search committee is co-chaired by 杏吧原创 Faculty Alliance Chair/杏吧原创A Faculty Senate Past-President Dr. Jackie Cason, and Chugach Alaska Corporation Board Chair and former 杏吧原创 Regent and Board Chair Sheri Buretta. In addition to the co-chairs, the committee includes:
- Arel Gutierrez 鈥 US杏吧原创A President & 杏吧原创A Student
- Brandon McKinney 鈥 杏吧原创A Staff Council President & 杏吧原创A Staff Member
- Dr. Marie Gardner 鈥 Mat-Su Community College Director
- Dr. Carrie King 鈥 杏吧原创A Faculty
- Dr. Kevin Berry 鈥 杏吧原创A Faculty
- Dr. Alex Hills 鈥 Distinguished Service Professor, Carnegie Mellon University
- Ella Goss 鈥 CEO of Providence Alaska Medical Center
- Scott Habberstad 鈥 Alaska Airlines Managing Director-Alaska Market
- Chris King 鈥 Vice President, Operations of AVIS, Alaska Rent A Car, Inc.
Key Search Committee Responsibilities:
- Communicate broadly throughout the search
- Develop, recommend, and publish a search committee process and timeline
- Identify and recommend desirable attributes for a 杏吧原创A Chancellor
- Share the position advertisement
- Identify and develop screening criteria
- Solicit a diverse candidate pool
- Inform the candidates about the university and the position
- Evaluate the candidates against the desired attributes
- Narrow the candidate pool to three to five
- Provide information about the candidate pool
- Socialize the finalists with the university community through town hall meetings and other events, and collect feedback.
Support:
- Communications Support: 杏吧原创A Executive Director for University Advancement Tanya Pont, System Office Director of Public Affairs Jonathon Taylor, and other communication team members, including Katie Bender, Keenan Britt, and Monique Musick will help the committee communicate broadly to include websites, written updates, town halls, and other engagements.
- 杏吧原创 Vice President for University Relations Michelle Rizk will assist the committee in an advisory capacity, along with Raegan Kelliher, executive assistant to the chancellor. Chris Triplett (杏吧原创 HR Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist) and Helen Sale (Lead Human Resources Coordinator) will advise the committee on hiring policy and provide administrative support.