The University of Alaska Fairbanks will soon be under new leadership, as University of Alaska President Pat Pitney announced the appointment of retired Ambassador Mike Sfraga, Ph.D., as interim chancellor of UAF. Sfraga, a longtime university insider and recent Biden administration appointee, will assume the role July 28, following the retirement of current Chancellor Dan White at the end of the month.
Sfraga, a UAF alumnus and former university vice chancellor, was confirmed in September 2024 as the United States’ first-ever Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs. His nomination was backed by Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski after being advanced by President Joe Biden. Despite his high-profile appointment, Sfraga’s tenure as Arctic ambassador was brief and marked by limited public achievements before transitioning back into academia.
President Pitney called Sfraga a “fitting choice to lead America’s Arctic University,” citing his decades-long career within the University of Alaska system and extensive experience in Arctic policy circles. Sfraga will serve in an interim capacity and will not be a candidate for the permanent chancellor position.
Sfraga’s career in the University of Alaska system spans over three decades, with leadership roles ranging from academic posts to administrative offices including UAF vice chancellor, director of the UA Geography Program, and associate vice president of the UA system. He also chaired the U.S. Arctic Research Commission and founded the Polar Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C.
Sfraga’s appointment comes as UAF begins a search for its next permanent chancellor. President Pitney said additional details on the search process will be released in August.