University of Alaska Anchorage outlines workforce training expansions, emphasizes dual‑mission approach

JUNEAU — University of Alaska Anchorage leaders told the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee on an overview of workforce programs that the university has expanded training in several high‑demand industries and is pursuing partnerships to keep graduates working in Alaska.

For the record, Denise Runge, provost and executive vice chancellor for the University of Alaska Anchorage, said UAA “serves approximately 11,000 students currently” across five campuses and offers more than 180 programs ranging from short workforce certificates to doctoral degrees. She framed UAA as a “dual mission” institution that combines a community college focus with a university research and degree mission.

The dual‑mission model allows the university to adapt program offerings to employer needs, Runge said, noting that UAA maintains more than 35 industry advisory councils and “tries to be as flexible and as helpful as possible.”

UAA officials described several specific areas of demand: aviation, construction and cold‑weather construction management, automotive and diesel technician training, culinary arts, and a process technology program at Kenai Peninsula College. Raymond Weber, dean of the Community and Technical College and an aviation faculty member, said pilot training, aviation maintenance and air traffic control programs are at or near capacity and that UAA produces about 40 to 45 aviation maintenance graduates annually against an estimated state need of about 230 per year.

Debbie Craig, dean of UAA’s College of Health, said the college offers more than 50 degree programs and enrolls roughly 2,000 students per year. Craig described growth in medical education programs — including an expanded WWAMI medical cohort run in partnership with the University of Washington — and an increase in the master's of social work cohort from 35 toward 75 students supported by $1.5 million in foundation funding.

Cheryl Siemers, director of Kenai Peninsula College, highlighted KPC’s associate of applied science in process technology, calling it “one of the most highly regarded programs” in the country and noting industry endorsements and employer hires from ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, ASRC and other firms. Siemers said the program combines online instruction, simulation and on‑campus lab time to accommodate students who work rotating schedules on the North Slope.

Runge also described newly approved academic programs in artificial intelligence — an undergraduate and a graduate degree — and said UAA’s Board of Regents designated UAA as the state’s flagship health university. She emphasized “stackable credentials” and credit for prior learning so students can build from short certificates to associate and bachelor’s degrees without losing credit.

Committee members asked about placement and remedial education. Runge said UAA has reduced the number of developmental writing sections offered by using multiple placement tools, including writing samples and directed self‑placement models, and said the university collaborates with high schools through pathway and dual‑enrollment programs to better prepare students for college‑level work.

Runge and other presenters stressed partnerships statewide — clinical placements for health programs, high school academies, and military partnerships including reduced tuition for service members — as central to expanding Alaska’s trained workforce.

The committee scheduled no formal action on the presentation; the university presenters took questions and the hearing moved to the next agenda item.