University of Alaska Anchorage

Experience the Big Wild Life in Anchorage, population 300,000. UAA’s campus maintains close connections with Anchorage-based government, business and nonprofit employers, giving students a wide range of opportunities for internships, research and real-world experience.

The Anchorage campus offers a full complement of programs and courses, including in high-demand fields such as engineering, health, business and education, as well as in the liberal arts and sciences. UAA career and technical education programs are closely aligned with Alaska’s core industries, such as aviation, oil and gas. Many courses are designed with flexibility to accommodate students who work or have a family, and the campus houses a range of student success and support centers.

UAA’s campus is connected to 250 miles of trails where students can enjoy wooded seclusion, mountain vistas and ocean views. But students don’t have to sacrifice urban amenities to live in the Last Frontier. Anchorage provides a bounty of museums, movie theaters, shopping, live music, sporting events and hundreds of restaurants. Students will feel right at home at UAA.

The mission of the University of Alaska Anchorage is to discover and disseminate knowledge through teaching, research, engagement and creative expression. Located in Anchorage and on community campuses in Southcentral Alaska, UAA is committed to serving the higher education needs of the state, its communities and its diverse peoples. UAA is an open-access university with academic programs leading to occupational endorsements; undergraduate and graduate certificates; and associate, baccalaureate and graduate degrees in a rich, diverse and inclusive environment.

The UAA mission recognizes the university’s commitment to instruction at a number of academic levels, success of all students regardless of their higher education goals, and service to the diverse peoples and communities of the state.It honors the community college and the baccalaureate, graduate and research roots of the institution.UAA is committed to international and intercultural education. As part of UAA’s participation in the American Council on Education’s (ACE) Internationalization Laboratory, the following values were developed in consultation with faculty, students and staff.

UAA recognizes and values the diversity of our unique location in Southcentral Alaska, the ancestral homelands of the Dena’ina Athabascan, Ahtna Athabascan, Alutiiq/Sugpiak, and Eyak peoples.We honor diverse experiences and perspectives—including differences in ideas, religion, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, culture, nationality, age, disability, veteran and socioeconomic status—and strive to create welcoming and inclusive learning environments where all are treated with respect.At UAA, valuing diversity is integral to excellence. Diversity maximizes our potential for creativity, innovation, educational excellence, and outstanding service to our communities.

Immunotherapy is a ground-breaking treatment for cancer by training the immune system to target cancer cells. Our research team developed an innovative antigen delivery system for immunotherapy using nanoparticles for a more effective treatment.We are investigating vertebrates that are able to survive for long periods of time in the complete absence of oxygen that can offer insights into cardiac pace-making in conditions of low oxygen pertinent to human pathology.

Multi-disciplinary collaborations among the Colleges of Engineering, Business and Public Policy, and Arts and Sciences have been formed. A Professor of Music teamed with faculty in Computer Science and Business to develop a computer system that assesses a pianist’s skill at sight reading music. Another included the Departments of Theatre and Dance, Psychology, and Art, and community organizations. The project presented a haunting play about child sexual abuse in Alaska, with an empowering conversation between the public, cast members, and counselors to encourage healing.

Capitalizing on its location, UAA is developing solutions to challenges caused by the dynamically changing Arctic environment as it impacts current and future ecosystems and villages. These include models to forecast future erosion rates and shoreline change. Road tests are underway to test a suitable concrete mixture for Arctic roads that is flexible and yet maintains its strength in extreme cold. Work in Antarctica studies the impact of environmental conditions on the physiology and behavior of polar marine mammals.

Universities are a key source for new technology critical to the United States maintaining its lead in innovation and economic development. UAA’s patent portfolio has dramatically increased since FY11, including the launch of startup companies — one was awarded a “Best University Startup” in a national competition. To encourage innovation, UAA established the “Patent Wall of Fame,” and organized and hosted the first World IP Day in Alaska.

The University of Alaska Anchorage traces its origins back to 1954, when Anchorage Community College (ACC) was founded.That year, ACC began offering evening classes to 414 students at Elmendorf Air Force Base—the first time that college-level courses were offered in the Anchorage area. In 1962, ACC, along with other community colleges around the state, was incorporated into the University of Alaska statewide system. Five years later, ACC began offering both day and evening classes at the current campus location. ACC provided academic study for associate degrees, the first two years of work toward baccalaureate degrees, and a wide variety of adult learning, career and continuing education programs.

In the late 1960s, strong interest in establishing a four-year university in Anchorage brought about the birth of the University of Alaska, Anchorage Senior College (ASC). While ACC administered the lower division college, ASC administered upper division and graduate programs leading to baccalaureate and master’s degrees, as well as continuing education for professional programs. In 1971, the first commencement was held at Anchorage’s West High School, where 265 master’s, baccalaureate and associate degrees were awarded. ASC moved to the Consortium Library Building in 1973.

The following year, when the first classroom and office facility was completed, daytime courses were offered for the first time. In 1977, ASC became a four-year university and was renamed the University of Alaska, Anchorage (UA,A). Ten years later, ACC and UA,A merged to become what is now known as the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA).

Today, some 20,000 students attend UAA, a growing and expanding university of first choice. More than 200 programs, ranging from certificate programs to associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees, are offered at the campus in Anchorage, community campuses, and extension centers throughout Southcentral Alaska.