Meet the Staff

Graduate School Dean 
Mary Jo Finney, PhD

The Graduate School Dean, in their role as the Chief Academic Officer for Graduate education at UAA, has the responsibility for leadership and oversight of all graduate programs and issues. The Dean has administrative management of graduate programs, policies, program review, and program standards and supervises all elements of the Graduate School. The Graduate School staff, Graduate Academic Board (GAB), Graduate Advisory Council carry out the functions of the Graduate School based on her authority.

Mary Jo has taught almost exclusively at the master’s and post-master’s degree levels while also serving as chair of numerous doctoral dissertation committees. She has experience with curriculum and course development in secondary urban teacher preparation, an education specialist degree program, and nurse educator program. She has  overseen eight graduate degree programs in the Education Department and, as chair and member of the UM-Flint Graduate Advisory Board for over ten years, She is well acquainted with graduate programs from nearly every academic department and all academic units on campus. 

Leading the Graduate School demands the utmost diplomacy in working with both internal and external constituents to advocate for and secure resources while maintaining sound relationships. Given that Mary Jo has been regularly called upon to serve in an advocacy role, she has considerable experience and demonstrated skill in doing so. Her communication skills are highly adaptable as she has conversed with Elders in remote Alaskan villages, conducted workshops in Spanish (with limited Spanish language proficiency), collaborated with a pastor in inner-city Flint, and asked CEOs of foundations for financial support. She values the privilege of serving as a spokesperson and advocate for the UAA Graduate School across numerous venues and plans to meet with success in each of these interactions. 

Since all of her work is rooted in relationships, the call to establish and develop partnerships with the community, industry groups, and advisory boards for workforce development is one of her strongest capabilities. UAA's commitment to underrepresented students suggests a stance toward higher education that she shares and welcomes. 

Tel: 907-786-1097
Room: ADM 221
email: mjfinney@alaska.edu

Graduate School Director
Elisa Mattison, MA

Elisa Mattison

As Director, Ms. Mattison's responsibilities include efforts to design,  deliver and improve services that support graduate students from entry to completion of their degrees. This includes oversight of graduate student life at UAA. She collaborates with graduate programs and student organizations to enhance the academic, social, personal, and  cultural needs of graduate students. She oversees the day to day management of the Graduate School and the development of recruitment and retention initiatives that promote graduate student success by tracking student milestones in their programs. She is the first advisor with whom most future graduate students interact. Ms. Mattison oversees the design, development and delivery of training programs for graduate students, faculty who mentor graduate students, and staff who work in graduate programs. She serves as director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs at UAA and the Graduate Health Insurance Program for graduate assistants. She is also the "go-to" person for thesis advising regarding formatting, electronic submission and training, and thesis process. Ms. Mattison contributes to Graduate Academic Board and Graduate Advisory Council.

Ms. Mattison served as President of the Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS) and an ex-officio member the Board of Directors of the national Council of Graduate Schools. As president, she was responsible for hosting the WAGS Annual Meeting in Anchorage in March 2015. She also served on the UAA Staff Council from 2019-2021 representing exempt staff. 

Ms. Mattison has worked for the University of Alaska Anchorage since 2000. Her experience with UAA has included positions as Adjunct Faculty, Enrollment Advisor, Program Coordinator, and Training Manager, in addition to being with the Office of Graduate Studies/Graduate School since 2006. She was Adjunct Faculty in Psychology at Anchorage Community College, and Assistant Director of the Degree Completion Program at Alaska Pacific University. She worked for the Career and Student Employment Services Center and the Office of Financial Aid at Western Michigan University.

Tel: 907-786-1096
Room: ADM 220
esmattison@alaska.edu

Graduate School Student Administrative Support

TBA
Telephone: TBD
Room: ADM 214