Dear UAA community,

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to welcome the delegates at one of the largest Arctic policy events in the United States, and share the great work we’re doing at UAA. The Arctic Encounter Symposium in Anchorage gathered scientists, Indigenous leaders, policymakers, business leaders and students. Our faculty served on panels, as did UA President Pat Pitney who talked about workforce issues and solutions from the university in the context of the Arctic.

I also wanted to spotlight a panel of young people presenting at the conference, which included a UAA student. These are the emerging voices for the Arctic; they are thinking through and lending their voices to shape Arctic policy for future generations.

The bottom line is that UAA innovates and creates solutions for the challenges faced by nations and peoples of the Circumpolar North. From research around health and nutrition in rural Alaska to issues of energy, national security, climate change and our natural world, UAA research helps solve problems crucial to Alaska and other areas across the globe.

I’m thankful to be part of this great institution that engages in impactful research and in important international conversations like those found at the Arctic Encounter Symposium. I’m thankful, too, that we have faculty, students and administrators that turn out to represent UAA in this important work.

With Green & Gold gratitude,
Sean Parnell
UAA Chancellor