UAA Chancellor announces key leadership hire

Sept. 17, 2021

The University of �Ӱ�ԭ�� Anchorage is pleased to share that after a competitive search process, Dr. Michele Yatchmeneff has accepted the role of executive director of �Ӱ�ԭ�� Native education and outreach at UAA.

Dr. Yatchmeneff currently serves as an associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at UAA, as well as assistant director of the �Ӱ�ԭ�� Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP). She has spent six years as a researcher and faculty advisor for more than 2,500 ANSEP students, and her work has garnered awards from the National Science Foundation and other prominent research organizations. Her work with ANSEP has had a tremendously positive impact already, and she will now have the opportunity to expand the reach of this work across the entire UAA community and benefit all of our campuses and students.

Dr. Yatchmeneff is of Unangax̂ (Aleut) descent and grew up living a traditional subsistence lifestyle in rural villages along �Ӱ�ԭ��'s Aleutian Islands. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in civil engineering and her Master of Science in engineering management at UAA and was an ANSEP scholar herself. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she began working in �Ӱ�ԭ��'s construction and engineering industry, specializing in water and sewer projects in remote villages across the state.

Dr. Yatchmeneff went on to earn her doctorate in engineering education from Purdue University. Her research focused on motivation and success of pre-college STEM students. Her current research focuses on belongingness, �Ӱ�ԭ�� Native education, preparation and retention.

Throughout the search process, the selection committee was impressed by her clearly articulated vision for this new position at UAA and by her understanding of how this role fits into the university’s mission and our UAA 2025 strategic plan. She brings a breadth of experience and expertise that will help us continue to support student success and maintain an equitable and fulfilling learning environment for all students.

UAA is pleased to welcome Dr. Yatchmeneff into this position. Please join the UAA community in congratulating her and thanking her for filling this important need for the university.