University of Alaska President Pat Pitney has appointed a new chancellor to the University of Alaska Southeast.
Aparna Palmer is vice-president at Front Range Community College in Colorado. Prior to that, she was vice president of academic affairs for Colorado Mesa University, where she taught biology.
In an open event earlier in the season, Palmer stated that her job as marine biologist had made her particularly pleased that she was at Juneau.
“I’m extremely thrilled to be here in among the sea and mountains because this is the kind of biology that I am most excited about,” she said.
Palmer holds a doctorate degree in Zoology in zoology from Washington State University and bachelor’s degrees in biology and English from Colorado State University.
Her goals are to recruit students and fiscal stability. She is keen to work with local businesses to help graduates find jobs.
“We do not grow when the region isn’t growing,” she said at the forum.
Palmer is a native of India and then moved from India to United States as a child. She has said that she believes in equity and inclusion and that it is a personal priority for her.
“I consider the importance for me to have an acquired language from my parents and how depressing it would be without the language that is very specific to how you see the world around you,” she said.
Palmer’s debut day as chancellor is expected to begin on July 1st. She will succeed Karen Carey, who is going to retire after three years in the job.
