Remembering Carolyn Floyd

Dear UAA Community,

With a heavy heart, I share with you the passing of Carolyn Floyd, the first president of Kodiak College. Carolyn was a visionary leader for higher education and was instrumental in creating Kodiak Community College. She served as president from 1969 to 1987 and helped expand the college and its offerings from within a few classrooms in Kodiak High School to the 57-acre campus it is today. On behalf of the entire UAA community, we offer our condolences to the Floyd family and the Kodiak community as we mourn this tremendous loss.

Throughout her life and career, Carolyn advocated for education. In 1963, Carolyn and her husband Joe officially made Kodiak their home, taking teaching positions at Kodiak High School — Carolyn had since earned her degree in business education. Three years later, she completed her master's degree and was hired as an adjunct instructor for the University of Alaska Off-Campus Programs in Kodiak.

Classes were held within the high school with just a few students attending. Carolyn realized the importance of providing higher education to her island community and strongly advocated the university system. She saw there was a need to offer college-level courses.

In 1969 she was appointed as the first campus president of the newly named Kodiak Community College. During her tenure, she advocated and successfully convinced Kodiak Borough to set aside municipal land for the college, enticing students, new instructors and room for the community college to grow their program offerings and campus. In 1989 the Kodiak College Carolyn Floyd Library was dedicated in her honor.

In addition to her life’s work in education, Carolyn dedicated her time to public service. She ran for mayor in the City of Kodiak and won the seat in 1993. She continued to run and serve in that position for the next 18 years. During her time in office, she helped establish the Kodiak Multicultural Forum, served as president of the Alaska Municipal League, president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors, a board member of the National League of Cities and was a member of the National League of Cities Advisory Council.

She has been honored with a “Who’s Who in International Education” (1985); awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Alaska Anchorage (l989); awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Alaska Municipal League (2003) and a Community Leaders of America Award by the same organization (l990); Certificate of Achievement in Leadership Excellence, National League of Cities (2008) and honored as one of six finalists for the Women in Municipal Government Award, National League of Cities (2010); and in 2012 was inducted into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame.

Carolyn’s loss will be felt throughout our university community, and she will always be remembered for leadership, vision for a better Alaska and advocacy for higher education. I know you all join me in mourning her passing and remembering her life and legacy.

Sincerely,
Sean Parnell
UAA Chancellor