UAA's Community and Technical College welcomes new dean

Dr. Karen R. Schmitt has accepted the position of dean of UAA's Community and Technical College (CTC). Karen was chosen from a group of stellar finalists who visited campus in May. Having worked in higher education for more than 17 years, Karen brings incredible depth and breadth of academic leadership experience to this position. For the past eight years Karen has served as dean of the School of Career Education at the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS). She also served as dean of the School of Management at UAS for six years. With her knowledge of the University of Alaska system, distance education and community college program administration, Karen will be a valuable addition to UAA's leadership team. Read more.

Prior to joining the staff of UAS in 2001, Karen served in various leadership positions at the University of Washington, including assistant dean of the College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences and program manager of the Extension's Office of Educational Outreach. In addition, Karen's professional experience extends beyond academia; between the years of 1987 and 1992, Karen worked for Exxon Production Research and ITT Antarctic Services. She earned her B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin Madison, her M.Sc. degree from the University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand, and her Ph.D. degree from Columbia University. Karen's diversity of experience will be of great benefit to UAA, the Anchorage community and the students that CTC serves.

Dr. Sandra Carroll-Cobb, who has been serving as the interim dean for the Community and Technical College for the past year, will return to her position of associate professor and chair of the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation in August. Sandra's strong leadership and strategic vision during this transitional period further illustrate her commitment to CTC.

Karen will join the UAA family on August 30.