University of Alaska officials have named Pearl Brower to a new post to improve the success of Alaska Native students, staff and faculty on statewide campuses.
Brower will be the senior advisor for Alaska Native Success, Institutional Diversity and Student Engagement, and will report directly to the president Interim President Pat Pitney announced on Aug. 12 in Fairbanks. She has been tasked with coordinating recommendations developed through the Alaska Native Success Initiative and foster partnerships between the university system and the Alaska Federation of Natives, the 13 regional Native corporations and their foundation partners. She will also work with the Alaska Native Studies Council, UA for Racial Justice and other university affiliated groups to develop strategies.
UA officials said that over the past 10 months the university has been examining how to better serve Alaska Native, black, indigenous and other students, staff and faculty of color. The Board of Regents directed Pitney to address the system’s shortcomings in Alaska Native recruitment, retention and success. This resulted in creation of the Alaska Native Success Initiative, with a goal of improving Alaska Native representation and success throughout the university.
Brower, who holds a doctorate in indigenous studies from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, most recently served as president of the state’s only tribal college, Ilisagvik College.
