Anchorage schools superintendent, former Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell are among the finalists in UAA chancellor search

Anchorage School District Superintendent Deena Bishop, former Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell and former Iḷisaġvik College President Pearl Brower are among eight candidates selected by a University of Alaska Anchorage search committee as finalists to become UAA’s next chancellor.

The change in leadership comes following former UAA Chancellor Cathy Sandeen’s 2020 departure from the university. She served just over two years in the position.

Bruce Schultz is serving as UAA’s interim chancellor until a replacement is secured. Schultz previously served as UAA’s Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs.

The other five contenders for UAA chancellor are from universities outside of the state, including Satasha Green-Stephen, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs at the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, and Angappa Gunasekaran, dean of the school of business and public administration at California State University in Bakersfield.

Other candidates are Robert Marley, professor of engineering management from Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rashmi Prasad, dean of the school of business at Truman State University in Missouri and David Rosowsky, professor of civil engineering from the University of Vermont. Prasad previously served as dean at UAA in the college of business and public policy, from 2013 to 2017.

Candidates will visit the university, meet with student leaders, deans as well Interim UA President Pat Pitney before one is selected, the University of Alaska said in its announcement.