Welcome the start of the 2026-27 academic year with a full slate of events leading up to and beyond the first day of classes! From lectures and farmers markets to fairs and athletics, don’t miss these opportunities to connect with the campus community. Check out the full schedule below.

2026 Welcome Week events

Faculty and Staff Convocation
Friday, Aug. 21, 9-11 a.m.
Wendy Williamson Auditorium, Cuddy Hall and online

Reconnect with colleagues and celebrate staff and faculty milestones as we usher in the new academic year with Chancellor Cheryl Siemers and UAA leadership. Please RSVP by Aug. 20 to attend in person or join online. Open only to faculty and staff.

Campus Kickoff
Saturday, Aug. 22, 4-8 p.m.
Student Union and Avis Alaska Sports Complex

Kick off the academic year with booths, food trucks and entertainment. Connect with UAA clubs, departments and organizations to learn how to get involved as a Seawolf. Open to all students, faculty, staff, alumni, family and friends.

First Day of Classes
Monday, Aug. 24
All campuses and online

Instruction for the fall 2025 semester begins Monday, Aug. 25. Bookmark all academic dates and deadlines for the year, and familiarize yourself with free academic resources and support available to all students.

Additional community events on campus

College of Engineering Welcome Back BBQ
Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 24 and 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Engineering and Industry Building, Entrance

UAA's College of Engineering is hosting a BBQ to welcome back CoEng students. Open to students only.

UMED Farmers Market
Tuesday, Aug. 25 and Sept. 1, 3-6 p.m.
Alaska Airlines Center, VIP Parking Lot

Embrace the abundance of harvest season at the third annual UMED Farmers Market, presented by UAA Employee Experience and UMED District partners. The market highlights locally grown and handmade products, with a strong focus on sustainability and supporting local vendors.

Volleyball Seawolf Invitational
Thursday-Saturday, Aug. 27-29
Alaska Airlines Center

UAA Volleyball's regular-season home slate kicks off with matches against Texas Woman's and Lenoir-Rhyne in the Seawolf Invitational. 

Coffee with the Dean
Hosted by the Graduate School
Wednesday, Sept. 2, noon-1 p.m.
UAA/APU Consortium Library, Room 304

Grab a cup of coffee and join the conversation! Coffee with the Dean is your chance to connect, ask questions and learn about resources to help you thrive in graduate school. It’s also a great opportunity to network with peers, share feedback and raise any concerns. Whether you’re already in a program or just starting to explore your options, this is a space to chat and get your questions answered. Undergrads curious about grad school are welcome too! Need more information? Contact us at uaa_graduateschool@alaska.edu or 907-786-1098, or visit us online.

Be the Change with Kahlil Greene
Thursday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m.
Wendy Williamson Auditorium

The College of Arts and Sciences Community Lecture Series begins its new season with a talk by Kahlil Greene, also known as the “Gen-Z Historian.” Greene will demonstrate how effective leadership and proactive advocacy online can drive social change, encouraging people to kick-start their own activism using the most effective strategies of the 21st century. Series subscriptions and individual tickets are on sale now.

UAA Spirit Run: Run Against Hunger
Friday, Sept. 25, 6 p.m.
Alaska Airlines Center

Don't miss this fun and energizing three-mile run (or walk) through the beautiful UAA campus and surrounding trails. Whether you’re new to campus, a returning Seawolf, faculty, staff, alumni or a community member — everyone is welcome. Presented by Yeti Dogs, this event promotes healthy lifestyles and raises crucial funds to support food insecurity efforts on campus.

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To add an event to this roundup, email Green & Gold News at uaa_news@alaska.edu.