The Indian American is currently an associate professor of remote sensing at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Chancellor Daniel White on Friday named Indian American Anupma Prakash as the university’s next provost and executive vice chancellor.
A faculty member of UAF since 2002, Prakash, an Indian American, is an associate professor of remote sensing at the UAF Geophysical Institute and College of Natural Science and Mathematics.
She has served as a teacher and researcher, department chair, associate dean and, most recently, interim CNSM dean and leader of the $24 million Alaska Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research.
“Dr. Prakash’s strong relationships with faculty throughout UAF, commitment to academic excellence and student achievement, and reputation as a steady leader who seeks diverse perspectives make her the right person to serve as our new provost,” White said.
In her position as provost, Prakash will oversee the colleges and schools affiliated to UAF, including the library and the University of Alaska Museum of the North.
She will also be leading several other branches of the university, such as academic support units, including Summer Sessions and Lifelong Learning, and eLearning and Distance Education.
“It is a real honor and privilege to serve as UAF’s next provost and executive vice chancellor. I am excited about the opportunities ahead of us—opportunities to build on a tradition of academic and research excellence, and to open doors for UAF students to meet the future needs of their communities,” Prakash said. “I look forward to working with our committed faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends in an inclusive journey toward a more sustainable and stronger UAF.”
Prakash was selected after scrutinizing three dozen applications following a nationwide search. She has a doctorate in earth sciences, a master’s degree in geology and a bachelor’s degree in geology, zoology and botany.
Prakash will replace long-time provost Susan Henrichs after the latter’s retirement this summer.
Established in 1917, UAF is the first Arctic University in the United States. A so-called “Land, Sea and Space Grant Institution,” its researchers work on finding solutions to Arctic challenges.