Interim Chancellor
Ambassador Mike Sfraga (ret.), Ph.D.
Ambassador Mike Sfraga (ret.), Ph.D., was appointed to serve as interim chancellor of the University of ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Fairbanks in July 2025.
A lifelong ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñn and ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ alumnus, Sfraga brings more than 30 years of experience in university leadership and Arctic policy. Most recently, he served as the first U.S. ambassador-at-large for Arctic affairs, and he previously chaired the U.S. Arctic Research Commission. He also held senior roles at the Wilson Center’s Polar Institute and Global Risk and Resilience Program. His ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ career includes positions as vice chancellor, associate dean, department chair and faculty member. He also held executive roles in the UA system.
A Fulbright Scholar and geographer, Sfraga earned a bachelor's degree from ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, a master's degree from Bowling Green State University and ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ's first Ph.D. in Northern studies and geography.
Mike Sfraga
Convocation 2025
ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ's annual convocation was held Tuesday, Sept. 9 in the Davis Concert Hall. The event welcomed faculty, staff and students back to ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ for a new academic year, and celebrated ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ’s people and accomplishments over the past year.
Tell your ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ story. Keep our university strong!
Ideas can be anything from a new service on campus, process improvement, new research or innovation. All ideas are welcome.