From Stability to Growth: UA is Empowering ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ
July 21, 2023
ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵns should be proud of their public universities. After a period of challenges, the University of ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ (UA) System has turned a corner. UA awarded more than 3,000 degrees this year, and our enrollment is poised to grow, as is our impact around the state. The FY24 budget approved by the legislature and signed by Governor Dunleavy at the end of June represents the continuation of a solid fiscal foundation we need to keep educating ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ’s future workforce and supporting innovation.
UA is building on that stable foundation, and empowering ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ for years to come.
Last year, we saw increases in both first-time freshman and UA Scholars attending UAA, UAF, and UAS. I’m looking forward to welcoming an even larger class to UA this fall: early numbers show incoming freshmen and Scholars’ enrollment on track for a large increase, and overall enrollment trending toward at least 2% growth.
Students are responding to the increased stability and quality program offerings across our system - and that’s exciting to see. Our renewed investment and strong outcomes in high-quality academic, research, and workforce development programs are demonstrating the value of a UA certificate or degree.
That value is even clearer today. ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ is facing acute shortages in key sectors of our communities - teaching, healthcare, CPAs, and construction to name a few. that ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ’s working-age population – people between the ages of 15-64 – is falling. There are over 25,000 fewer working-age ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵns here today than there were 10 years ago.
Our universities are a big part of the solution to meet those workforce needs. UAA, UAF, UAS, and their community campuses educate more than 90 percent of all students attending higher education in ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ. Our offerings stretch from short-term training and certificates to baccalaureate and post-graduate degrees, giving our diverse student body choices and flexibility in how to achieve their goals.
°Â±ð’v±ð awarded more than 44,000 degrees and certificates in the last 10 years – 72% of them in ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ’s highest-demand employment fields. And, 80% of our graduates are working here in ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ within a year after graduating. From aviation mechanics to healthcare, hospitality to oil and gas, UA is partnering with employers to meet ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ’s workforce needs. And because of our diversity of programs, flexibility, and affordability, we can - literally and figuratively - meet students where they are.
In addition to empowering the workforce, UA research is instrumental for ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ communities and industries. UA’s researchers are recognized globally for their Arctic expertise and are helping businesses plan, adapt, and compete for new opportunities in a changing climate.
Our research strength is key to diversifying ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ’s economy. Last year, we reached our highest-ever level of externally funded research, bringing $182 million of economic activity to the state; we are about to eclipse that record again this year. This funding is competitive, it comes to ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ because of the quality faculty, and the focus and infrastructure built over decades.
The at UAF has been partnering with industry to lower energy costs and develop a new energy future for our state for years. And UAF’s ongoing research in heavy oil recovery, , and uses of satellite data are helping advance other industry partners. At UAS, our faculty have explored the impact of melting glacial run-off on salmon runs, and are helping grow and develop sustainable and aquaculture throughout Southeast ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ. And the incredible folks at continue to help quantify the costs of mitigation and adaptation to a changing climate.
The future of our state is directly tied to having access to high-quality, affordable public universities - serving students not just in our biggest cities, but in our smallest communities as well. The UA System is giving ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵns the opportunity to build their lives right here in ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ, and our excellence attracts many from Outside who will choose to make this place their home. As we execute our educational mission, we’re building solid futures for the next generation of ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ workers and leaders.
The University of ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ System can help make a bright future a reality. And that’s why continued support and investment in our universities - and the breadth of programs they offer - is more critical now than ever. On behalf of UAA, UAF, and UAS, we’re grateful for the fiscal stability, confidence, and trust; we will continue to build on the successes of the past year, and remain focused on empowering ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ.
Pat Pitney is the president of the University of ÐãÉ«¶ÌÊÓƵ System.