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January 31, 2025

President Pitney Delivers Annual State of the University Address in Juneau

�鶹��ý President Pat Pitney gave the keynote speech at the Alaska Chamber’s Legislative Fly-in Luncheon on Thursday, where she highlighted the many ways our strong and growing university is helping to move all of Alaska forward.

Attendees, many of whom represent businesses across the state, heard how critical �鶹��ý is to meeting the state’s workforce needs, with 90% of �鶹��ý graduates remaining and working in Alaska right after graduation. President Pitney spoke about key partnerships with local high schools, which help students by providing college credit opportunities, while also helping the university attract more students and funnel them into Alaska’s workforce. 

One of the Alaska Chamber’s 2025 state priorities is a strong �鶹��ý system: “A vibrant university that addresses Alaska’s workforce requirements is vital for the education of our citizenry, the development of a highly trained workforce, and the research and development endeavors necessary to address the state’s critical challenges.”

If you missed President Pitney’s State of the University Address, the recording is available to watch  

State of the State

On Tuesday, Governor Dunleavy delivered his annual State of the State address, expressing optimism about Alaska’s future and focusing on the bright opportunities ahead for our state. As he expressed in his address, the potential for more resource development projects in Alaska continues to be a major focus for the governor, and the need for a skilled workforce to fill those jobs is an essential piece of that. The university looks forward to continuing to work closely with Governor Dunleavy on strengthening our economy through workforce development, valuable research, and recruiting and retaining the best and brightest in Alaska.

�鶹��ý in the Capitol 

The Senate Arctic Affairs Committee, co-chaired by Senator Cathy Giessel, heard a presentation from Senior Researcher Gwen Holdmann of �鶹��ýF’S Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP). The presentation focused on energy and electric power not only in Alaska, but also throughout the entire Arctic region. Energy security and affordability continue to be a big topic of discussion in the legislature this session, so the important work being done at ACEP is especially relevant. 

Watch the Senate Arctic Affairs Committee meeting featuring ACEP 

President Pitney, on Thursday and Friday, met with or is scheduled to meet with legislators in the Capitol, including Senate President Gary Stevens, Rep. Neal Foster’s Office, Rep. Schrage, Rep. Josephson, Sen. Giessel, Rep. Stutes, Rep. Edgmon, and Rep. Gray. Budget items and university needs are the most common topics of discussion.  

Noteworthy: President Pitney is warmly greeted by all who see her. Oftentimes she’ll have unscheduled conversations in the Capitol halls that prove to be every bit as valuable as her scheduled conversations. Those conversations happen with legislators, staff, business leaders, lobbyists, and many more.

On January 29, the  wrapped up its months-long work. The �鶹��ý has been in on discussion and will be looked upon in multiple ways. The final report recommends enhanced data sharing (likely done through legislation) by the Department of Labor to the �鶹��ý and encouraging the �鶹��ý to adopt strategic goals prioritizing applied research aimed at solving technical and operational challenges in fisheries. 

Conversations continue with legislators, orbiting around capital improvements for floating labs at �鶹��ýS, heightened potential investment in �鶹��ýF’s Seward Marine Center, and research into �鶹��ýF’s carbon monitoring capabilities.

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In the Spotlight:

The Office of Representative Alyse Galvin

The �鶹��ý team looks forward to working closely with Representative Galvin this session as she chairs the �鶹��ý budget subcommittee. 

Representative Alyse Galvin – Represents District 14, Midtown Anchorage (Center)

Representative Galvin was raised in Anchorage, Alaska. Rep. Galvin and her husband have four children who have taken various courses through �鶹��ý Anchorage (�鶹��ýA). She is an education champion and advocate and a co-founder of Great Alaska Schools, who has spoken at many conferences for and at �鶹��ýA. Representative Galvin deeply understands the value of education and in her ongoing work in the Alaska State Legislature, she is determined to show her continued support. Currently, she serves as the chair of the University of Finance Subcommittee, and is a member of the House Finance Committee. 

Lisa Keller – Senior Staffer (Left front)

Lisa is the glue and master organizer of the office, ensuring the team pulls necessary research together and gets answers and assistance to constituents in a timely way. She first came North with a shaky beginning, arriving in Alaska in utero in 1963 and surviving the '64 earthquake, riding it out in her mom's arms as the end of their street went into the Inlet. Lisa is the mother of two daughters who both graduated from Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School, just as she did. Her youngest daughter, Ciana, is studying psychology and neuroscience at �鶹��ý Anchorage. She is the grandmother of twin boys, and just like her, they like to do dangerous things.

David Jiang – Policy Analyst (Left Back)

David is dedicated to supporting and advocating for the residents of House District 14 and ensuring our office is prepared for details related to budget analysis and bill preparation. Originally from New England and a graduate of Tufts University, David relocated to Anchorage with the Alaska Fellows Program and now calls Midtown and Spenard home. He likes cooking, playing the piano, wildlife, geography, and going on Costco runs.

“Support your kid’s talents and interests to the best you can, no matter how unusual you think they are. You never know where life can lead them, that is the fun in the journey!” - David

Mónica Schwingendorf - Constitutional Relations & Communications (Right Back)

 Mónica is originally from Cidra, Puerto Rico, and traveled across many seas to reside in Northeast Anchorage, Alaska with her Air Force family. She graduated with a Bachelor in Psychology from the �鶹��ý Anchorage honors program. Soon after she continued her education in East London & obtained her Master of Applied Psychology. 

“I send my deepest appreciation to all the �鶹��ýA professors who believed in me. Without their support & guidance, I would not be where I am today. �鶹��ýA Strong!” – Mónica

Lacey Matula – �鶹��ýA Intern (Right Front)

Lacey is our fantastic office intern from the �鶹��ý Anchorage (�鶹��ýA). She is “piecing together” a bright future by majoring in criminal justice and minoring in political science. Lacey is passionate about criminal justice reform, education, and medicine. When she is not studying or interning, Lacey enjoys reading, solving puzzles, and spending time with friends and family.

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What We’re Watching

Tuesday, February 4

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Capital; Supplemental

Wednesday, February 5

• 1:30 p.m. - House Finance: : Appropriations: Operating Budget; Capital; Supplemental

Thursday, February 6

• 1:30 p.m. - Senate Arctic Affairs: Presentation: Arctic Domain Awareness Center by Jeffrey Libby, Executive Director, ADAC-Arctic 

• 3:15 p.m. - House State Affairs: : Add Faculty Member University Board of Regents

January 24, 2025

The 34th Alaska Legislature Convenes in Juneau

New and returning legislators were sworn into office before gaveling in on Tuesday, January 21st to kick off the 2025 legislative session. There are 15 new lawmakers this year - two in the Senate and 13 joining the House - which has altered the caucus organizations in both bodies.   

House Leadership Changes Hands

Following the 2024 election results, a new 21-member House Majority caucus formed, led by Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon (I-Dillingham), Majority Leader Chuck Kopp (R-Anchorage), Rules Committee Chair Louise Stutes (R-Kodiak), and House Finance Committee Co-Chairs Andy Josephson (D-Anchorage), Neal Foster (D-Nome), and Calvin Schrage (I-Anchorage). 

The new majority is a coalition consisting of 14 Democrats, five independents, and two Republicans, flipping control of the House from the predominantly Republican-led organization that had been in charge the previous two years. The new House Minority caucus is made up of 19 Republicans, with Minority Leader Mia Costello (R-Anchorage) at the helm.

Here are the members of each caucus:

Senate Majority Retains Control

On the Senate side, the bipartisan majority caucus went from 17 members to 17, though the same leadership team remains in charge: Senate President Gary Stevens (R-Kodiak), Majority Leader Cathy Giessel (R-Anchorage), Rules Committee Chair Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage), and Senate Finance Committee Co-Chairs Lyman Hoffman (D-Bethel), Bert Stedman (R-Sitka), and Donny Olson (D-Golovin). In contrast to previous years, however, Senator Hoffman will co-chair the operating budget, rather than Senator Stedman, who is now managing the capital budget. 

The Senate Minority caucus gained three additional members after being joined by newly-elected Senators Mike Cronk (R-Tok) and Rob Yundt (R-Wasilla), as well as incumbent Senator James Kaufman (R-Anchorage), who left the majority. With a six-member caucus, the minority now has two seats on the powerful Senate Finance Committee. Senate Minority Leader Mike Shower (R-Wasilla) was chosen to lead the caucus.

The Senate is organized into the following caucuses:

Generally, we are encouraged by the makeup of the legislature. Many are interested in higher education and understand that the �鶹��ý System is Alaska's primary workforce provider. In the eyes of many legislators and Governor Dunleavy, �鶹��ý can boost Alaska’s working-age population by helping retain in-state students and recruiting out-of-state and international students.

New Addition to �鶹��ý Government Relations

Katie McCall has joined the �鶹��ý Government Relations team as the Government Relations Manager and will work alongside State Relations Director Chad Hutchison in Juneau to advocate for �鶹��ý throughout the legislative session. 

Katie has lived in Alaska her whole life. She was raised in Palmer but now lives in Anchorage. She graduated from �鶹��ýA with a BA in Political Science and a minor in Economics. 

Before joining the university, Katie worked as a staffer in the Alaska Legislature beginning in 2020, where she had the opportunity to manage leadership offices in both the House and Senate. Katie’s career as a legislative staffer immediately followed her participation in the Senator Ted Stevens Legislative Internship Program, which was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the many strong, positive relationships she has within the Capitol.

�鶹��ý Starting Off on the Right Foot

Communications with the Governor’s office have been ongoing for many months, prior to the Governor releasing his budget in December 2024.  Those communications have been encouraging. The Governor’s proposed budget is the starting point for the legislature, and there are good signs, including:  

• Governor Dunleavy funded the Board of Regents’ entire compensation request for our employee groups across the system, totaling $20.1 million.  
• Our fixed cost increases, with a state funding request totaling $4 million, were almost entirely funded at $3.9 million.

There are outstanding requests, including funds to meet recruiting and retention goals and deferred maintenance, but we expect those requests to be given good debate during the legislative process.   

Capitol Activity

The �鶹��ý Government Relations team met with House leaders this week, including Representative Josephson and Representative Galvin’s offices, in preparation for the �鶹��ý FY26 operating budget review. We’ve also been working with Rep. Schrage’s office to ensure he has all the information relevant to our deferred maintenance requests (which amount to $60 million this year, just to keep up with inflationary pressures). 

There is an anticipation of committee time, including finance committee time, being devoted to the fields of “education” and “health.” So, we’re making preparations to participate actively in those discussions.

Legislation

 has been involved in the Joint Legislative Seafood Task Force during the interim, and the �鶹��ý is anticipating that they may be part of a bill that allows for better data sharing, particularly with the Alaska Department of Labor. Some anticipate that the bill may be read across the Senate floor as early as next week.    

Other Happenings

President Pitney, who is respected for her budget acumen, will be in Juneau on January 30 to give her annual “State of the University” address. The address, which will be given at noon in Centennial Hall in partnership with the Alaska Chamber of Commerce, will be live-streamed at .  

Helpful Resources

Visit the Government Relations advocacy materials webpage for an overview of �鶹��ý’s fiscal year 2026 budget priorities, helpful tips for meeting with legislators, and other information about the university system. 

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For more information, contact Director of State Relations for the �鶹��ý System Chad Hutchison, cell 907-378-3946, email clhutchison@alaska.edu. You can also follow the �鶹��ý Government Relations on our .