The sun partially shines on the University of Alaska sign in late February. University of Alaska President Pat Pitney announced Wednesday her selection of Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer as the new leader of the University of Alaska Southeast. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

The sun partially shines on the University of Alaska sign in late February. University of Alaska President Pat Pitney announced Wednesday her selection of Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer as the new leader of the University of Alaska Southeast. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

UA announces selection of new UAS chancellor

Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer is expected to begin the role in July

The University of Alaska President Pat Pitney announced Wednesday her selection of Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer as the new leader of the University of Alaska Southeast after a monthslong search.

Palmer will begin her new post on July 1, taking over the role from outgoing chancellor Karen Carey, who in the fall announced her plans to retire from her position at UAS at the end of the spring semester having served three years in the position.

“I am honored to be appointed as chancellor of such an amazing and distinctive university and I am committed to UAS, the UA System, and to Alaskans,” Palmer said in a new release. “I look forward to working with the incredible faculty and staff to support their work and educational mission, and creating more opportunities for students to access higher education.

University of Alaska 
Pictured here is Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer, who was recently selected to be new chancellor of the University of Alaska Southeast.

University of Alaska Pictured here is Aparna Dileep-Nageswaran Palmer, who was recently selected to be new chancellor of the University of Alaska Southeast.

Carey told the Empire Wednesday that she is excited about the announcement and to welcome Palmer, but noted it’s also a little bittersweet.

“I’ve been here since 2016, and I really love the place, and it’s hard to realize I’m not going to be doing this in a couple of months,” she said. “It’s something that needs to happen, however, I need to retire, but I am really going to miss it.”

Palmer was selected out of a pool of five final candidates, which included a wide range of backgrounds and locations of work spanning across Alaska and into the Lower 48.

According to UAS, Palmer currently serves as vice president of Front Range Community College in Longmont, Colorado, a position she has held since May 2021. Before that, she worked at Mesa University and Western Colorado Community College as the assistant vice president of academic affairs. She also worked as a professor of biology for more than a decade at Mesa University and was the interim department head of the Physical and Environmental Sciences Department from 2018 to 2019.

Carey said she hopes to see Palmer get involved with the Juneau community beyond UAS upon her arrival. She said Palmer is entering the UA system at a critical time amid the university’s newfound fiscal stability and said she hopes to see her take advantage of the position and move UAS toward further growth.

“I have not met her yet, but I think she’s going to fit in really well with the community,” she said. “I think that I’m leaving her in a really good situation and now that we’re fully in a stable position I hope we can stay on this path and keep growing.”

• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807. Follow her on Twitter at @clariselarson.

More in News

(Juneau Empire File)
Aurora forecast for the week of Nov. 27

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Choir members rehearse Tuesday night for a Bach holiday concert at Ḵunéix̱ Hídi Northern Light United Church. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Quartet of Bach compositions joins lineup of local large-ensemble performances this season

Concerts this weekend part of resurging “wealth of riches” by choruses and orchestras, director says.

The Alaska Marine Highway System ferry LeConte at the Auke Bay Terminal on Monday, March 5, 2018. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Petition seeks name change for LeConte state ferry

Petersburg man calling attention to what he calls Joseph LeConte’s racist history.

The deadly landslide that struck Wrangell on the night of Nov. 20 is seen the next day. Southeast Alaska is, by nature, vulnerable to such landslides, but climate change is adding to the risk by bringing more precipitation and more extreme rainfall events. (Photo provided by Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities)
Deadly Wrangell landslide is part of a pattern in vulnerable Alaska mountainous terrain

Scientists warn climate change, by increasing precipitation and extreme rainfall, adds to risks.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire File
Even the Grinch got into the holiday spirit at last year’s Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022.
An abundance of traditional and new ways to capitalize on this year’s Gallery Walk

More than 50 events scheduled Friday afternoon and evening from downtown to Douglas.

This view is from Wrangell on Sept. 11, 2022. (Photo by Joaqlin Estus/ICT)
Conservation group supports formation of new Alaska Native corporations

The conservation group the Wilderness Society has changed its position and now… Continue reading

From her hospital bed on Friday, Nov. 24, Christina Florschutz demonstrates how she pulled pajama bottoms that she found in the landslide debris over her legs, arms and head to keep warm. Her house was destroyed in the landslide, and after spending the night in the wreckage, she was rescued the morning of Tuesday, Nov. 21. (Caroleine James / Wrangell Sentinel)
Elementary school aide who survived Wrangell landslide calls circumstances a miracle

Christina Florschutz trapped overnight by landslide that killed at least 4 people, with 2 missing.

Lylah Habeger (left) and Jaila Ramirez lead the Konfeta Corps during a rehearsal of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” at Juneau Dance Theatre. The ballet will be performed in the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.At.Kalé auditorium Friday through Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Juneau Dance Theatre)
‘Nutcracker’ tradition, with a twirl of new choreography

This year’s performances feature a cast of 93, ages 5 to 78

Most Read