From Student to Chancellor, Dr. Mike Sfraga Returns to Lead UAF

By Amber McCain

Dr. Mike Sfraga speaks with pride and emotion during his first press conference as interim chancellor of UAF. “Almost 47 years ago, I came here with nothing,” he said. “This university taught me how to learn.”

After decades working in Arctic policy and maintaining deep ties to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, or UAF, Dr. Mike Sfraga has stepped into the role of interim chancellor. His appointment officially began July 28 following Chancellor Dan White’s retirement after more than 30 years with the university.

“It’s an honor,” Sfraga said during his first press conference, just an hour and a half into the job. “Coming back to my alma mater is extraordinary. The mission has not changed, nor should it, and that makes it incredibly exciting.”

University of Alaska President Pat Pitney emphasized that this is an interim position and that a national search will begin in August to find the next long-term chancellor.

Sfraga isn’t new to UAF. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees here and was the first person to earn a Ph.D. in Northern Studies and Geography at UAF. He has held multiple leadership roles within the university system, from vice chancellor to associate vice president, and brings over 30 years of Arctic expertise.

Before returning to campus, Sfraga was a three-time presidential appointee, including serving as the first-ever U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs under President Biden. 

“My job is to elevate and advance what we have going on,” he said. “I’ll look to leverage my international and domestic network… in Arctic research, homeland security, national security, and beyond.”

Despite his high-profile diplomatic work, Sfraga remains grounded in what matters most: his connection to Alaska and UAF. “Blue and gold is in my DNA,” he said. “Almost 47 years ago, I came to UAF as a first-generation college student with no money. This university taught me how to learn.” He paused and added, “UAF is home, and that’s where I want to lead from.”

When asked about immediate goals, Sfraga emphasized maintaining stability and continuity. “There won’t be any major changes,” he said. “But I will want to stimulate and innovate. We have a world-class research organization, and I want to help it inform the classroom, support economic development, and raise our international profile.”

Student enrollment is a top concern. “It’s fundamental,” Sfraga said. “It’s the lifeblood of why we’re here. But it’s not enough to just get students here, we need to help them persist to graduation.”

He also acknowledged former Chancellor White’s concerns about course caps and waitlists, calling it a “flag” worth investigating. “It’s in my notebook,” he said. “I’ll work with the cabinet to explore it.”

As for infrastructure and long-term goals, such as achieving R1 research status, Sfraga plans to keep the momentum going without causing too much disruption. “My job is to set the environment for the next chancellor, whoever she or he may be,” he explained.

Although his tenure as interim chancellor will last only one year, Sfraga aims to use this opportunity to raise Alaska’s profile in key Arctic policy discussions. “Alaska is at the crossroads of both domestic and international policy,” he noted. “It might not always be obvious, but I see it clearly, and others beyond Alaska do as well.”

He also talked of his concerns that he intends to stay involved with after his interim role ends, including Arctic security, energy development, and the shifting dynamics between Russia and China in the region.

Sfraga praised his strong relationships with U.S. Senators Murkowski and Sullivan, who actively advocate Alaska’s Arctic and security issues. Although he has had limited interaction with U.S. Representative Begich, they’ve briefly discussed energy and national security; Sfraga looks forward to working with him more in the future.

One of the most personal parts of Sfraga’s message focused on student experience. “I was funneled into Rural Student Services, and they nurtured me,” he shared. “That’s why I’ll spend time working on advising, campus life, and athletics. I’m naturally drawn to it, I’m a product of it.”

As UAF enters a transitional year, Sfraga’s clear message is to stay the course, support the people who make the university run, and prepare for the future.

“This institution has spent 100 years building itself…” he said. “Let’s make sure we carry it forward.”