New leaders at UAS drive student opportunities and community partnerships in first months on the job
Deans and vice chancellors are at the forefront of advancing the university's student-centered, place-based mission.
Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka, Alaska
Date of Press Release: August 19, 2026
“I have been truly inspired by the remarkable expertise, vision and collaboration that our leaders have brought to their roles,” said UAS Chancellor Aparna Palmer. “They are developing extraordinary hands-on learning experiences that deliver meaningful, real-world impacts. The relationships they are building are already bringing opportunities within reach of more students, while addressing critical community needs.”
Associate vice chancellor for Alaska Native programs and director of PITAAS
Jacqueline Tagaban, M. Ed., assumed the role of associate vice chancellor for Alaska Native programs and director of Preparing Indigenous Teachers & Administrators for Alaska's Schools, known as PITAAS, this spring. Tagaban works closely with programs that support and perpetuate the values and traditions of the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian peoples. She also collaborates with colleagues across the University of Alaska system on the Alaska Native Success Initiative, supporting the enrollment, retention and graduation of Alaska Native students and Indigenous representation throughout the university.Under Tagaban’s leadership, the PITAAS program has expanded to support qualifying freshmen and sophomores, in addition to juniors and seniors. Tagaban previously served as an associate professor of early childhood education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Indigenous Studies. She led the PITAAS program at UAS from 2007 to 2011.
Dean of the School of Career Education
As dean of the School of Career Education, Kristen Majocha, Ph.D., manages academic programming and personnel at the Technical Education Center on the Juneau campus, and collaboratively supports programming across the three UAS campuses. Majocha serves on the UAS Regional Workforce Coordinating Committee alongside Provost Scott Billingsley, Ketchikan Campus Director William Urquhart and Sitka Campus Director Jeremy Rupp, providing strategic guidance on career education throughout Southeast Alaska.Since stepping into the role in June, Majocha has been working to develop new occupational endorsements, and exploring ways to increase course offerings and reduce barriers for students through collaborations with local organizations, businesses and public entities. Majocha previously served as dean of students and Title IX coordinator at Iḷisaġvik College in Utqiaġvik, as senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and is a U.S. Navy Veteran.
Dean of the School of Education
Koogak’aax Angela Lunda, Ph.D., became permanent dean of the School of Education in June. Lunda oversees the school’s daily operations and academic programs, partnering with schools, tribes and organizations to grow and support Alaska’s teachers and educational leaders and meet community needs. She served as interim dean for six months before transitioning to the role permanently.
Under Lunda’s leadership, the School of Education has advanced innovative programs to address Alaska’s critical need for certified educators, including the newly approved Master of Arts in Teaching in Indigenous Languages and a new special education apprenticeship program. Lunda spent 12 years on the faculty at UAS as a teacher, scholar and leader in culturally responsive and Indigenous education. Before coming to UAS, she worked in public education for more than 30 years as a middle school teacher, elementary principal and superintendent.
Vice chancellor for Administrative Services
On Aug. 17, Sylvan Robb, M.A., joined UAS as the vice chancellor for Administrative Services. She serves on the university’s executive cabinet and oversees departments including Budget, Facilities, Information Technology, the Business Office, and Grants and Contracts. As the university’s chief financial officer, Robb will finalize the university’s budget for fiscal year 2028 and interface with the University of Alaska Board of Regents and the State of Alaska. She will also be implementing key initiatives in the UAS strategic plan, including streamlining systems and processes, and improving budget transparency.
Robb comes to UAS from the State of Alaska, where she held various leadership roles, most recently as the division director of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing within the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. She also previously worked at the University of Alaska Fairbanks as a senior program analyst for the Office of Management and Budget, within Administrative Services.