Putting Students First

Student being hooded at graduate commencement

Learning is at the heart of what we do. And each student represents an opportunity to change lives and improve our future. As an institution, we’re resolved to put students first in all that we do to ensure they’re set up for success once they leave our doors for the last time.

Strategies

Aspiration #1: We put students first.

  • UAA becomes a student-centered institution.
    • By 2027, UAA will be an institution that puts students at the center of everything we do; student-centeredness will be something for which we're known.
  • Equity gaps in student learning and achievement are narrowed.
    • Each student is different, and each will have different learning styles. By 2027, UAA is committed to closing equity gaps in student learning and achievement by meeting the individual needs of our students.
  • Students are retained, persist and graduate at increasing rates.
    • By 2027, UAA will have demonstrated increasing rates of graduation (six-year for bachelors’ degrees, three-year for associates’ degrees), and student retention.
  • Students develop and achieve UAA’s Core Learning Competencies.
    • Core competencies are essential, cross-cutting knowledge, skills, and behaviors that enable people to successfully perform in professional, educational, and other life contexts. By 2027, our students will regularly and routinely achieve these competencies as a part of their education.

      Effective communication - The knowledge and skills necessary to engage in effective communication in diverse contexts and formats.

      Creative and critical thinking - The knowledge and skills necessary for the critical exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts and events in order to creatively design, evaluate and implement a strategy to answer complex questions or achieve a desired goal.

      Intercultural fluency - The knowledge and skills necessary to promote effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts, particularly in terms of the diverse populations of Alaska.

      Personal, professional and community responsibility - The knowledge and skills necessary to promote personal flourishing, professional excellence and community engagement.