New chancellor announced for University of Alaska Anchorage

The University of Alaska Anchorage will have a new chancellor this September: Cathy Sandeen.

Sandeen is currently the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Colleges and the University of Wisconsin-Extension, which together employ 2,200 faculty and staff and have an annual operating budget of $350 million, said a statement from UA Wednesday announcing the new hire.

University of Alaska President Jim Johnsen selected Sandeen for the UAA chancellor job. She was one of four finalists.

"In joining our leadership team, Cathy will bring a great perspective on engaging our faculty and staff on strategies to increase enrollment and student success," he said in the statement.

Sandeen will start as UAA chancellor Sept. 15, a few weeks after fall classes begin. She will earn an annual salary of $300,000.

Sandeen is taking over the chancellor job from Sam Gingerich, who has served as UAA's interim chancellor since Tom Case retired last summer.