Executive Leadership

Deanne Woodard

Vice Chancellor Deanne Woodard

Vice Chancellor Deanne Woodard serves as a member of the chancellor's cabinet and has administrative responsibility for all Student Affairs departments and units.

  • Biography

    Vice Chancellor Woodard has served as associate vice provost for targeted programs and populations at UAA since May 2021, overseeing a number of student success initiatives, such as the Learning Commons, Summer Bridge transition programs and UAA’s three TRIO programs: Student Support Services, Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search. Before stepping into the Associate Vice Provost role, Woodard served as Associate Dean of University Studies for UAA’s Community & Technical College.

    Having served in a number of positions related to Student Affairs and Student Success before coming to UAA, Woodard brings more than 15 years of higher education experience to the Vice Chancellor role. At Kansas State University, she served as assistant dean of student life and director of non-traditional and veteran student services. She also directed early college and community outreach programs at Mesa Community College. Woodard has experience in roles related to inclusiveness, multicultural services, student recruitment, student success and more. Before making the jump to higher education, VC Woodard was a high school English teacher. In addition to her breadth of higher education experience, Woodard’s knowledge and experience with the full student experience, from high school to early college to university and beyond, stood out during the search process.

    Vice Chancellor Woodard holds a bachelor’s degree from Dillard University and a master’s degree from Saint Louis University, both in English language and literature. She will began her duties as vice chancellor on June 19.

    Vice Chancellor Woodard's professional interests include transforming the transition to college experience for first-year students, creating synergy among student engagement and multicultural student programs, building staff capacity for innovation and change, and building collaborative programs between administrative services, academic affairs, university advancement and student affairs to transform the total educational experience of students.

Lora Volden

Associate Vice Chancellor Lora Volden

Lora Volden, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services, oversees Admissions, Military & Veteran Student Services, New Student Recruitment, the Office of Financial Aid, the Office of the Registrar, and Student Information Services.

  • Biography

    Lora has worked at the University of Alaska Anchorage since 2001, serving previously as the Director of New Student Orientation and as the University Registrar. With over 25 years of experience in higher education, Lora has worked at institutions in Colorado, Idaho and Minnesota. As a first-generation college student, Lora is passionate about removing barriers and simplifying processes for students.

    She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology from St. Cloud State University, Minnesota in 1992 and a Master of Counseling in Student Affairs and College Counseling from Idaho State University in 1997.

Ben Morton, Dean of Students

Dean of Students Ben Morton

Ben Morton, Dean of Students, supervises the Multicultural Center, Native Student Services, Disability Support Services, Student Health and Counseling Center, Department of Residence Life, Student Conduct and Ethical Development, as well as the UAA CARE Team.

  • Biography

    Ben previously served as the Associate Dean of Students at Saint Louis University (2015-2017), Associate Dean of Students and Director of Student Conduct at the University of Memphis (2011-2014), and the Assistant Dean of Students and Assistant Director of Student Conduct at the University of Illinois (2006-2011).

    Ben earned bachelor's degrees from Clarion University in 1996, a Master of Arts in Geography from West Virginia University in 1999, and a Master of Science in Higher Education from Florida State University in 2001. He has also completed coursework and is ABD on a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Illinois.

Kim Morton

Executive Director Kim Morton

Kim Morton, Executive Director of Student Engagement and Inclusion, supervises areas of student engagement including Student Life and Leadership, Multicultural Center and Career Services.

  • Biography

    Kim is passionate about providing students opportunities to engage in the campus community and finding their place on campus.

    Kim started her career in Residence Life at the University of Maryland College Park in 2001. She has also worked at Illinois State University, Rhodes College and Saint Louis University in Housing and Residence Life, Student Conduct, and Student Activities prior to arriving at the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2017. Kim previously served as the Associate Director and Director of Student Life and Leadership at UAA.

    Kim earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Math Education at the University of Central Florida in 1999, a Master of Science degree in Higher Education from Florida State University in 2001.