Former University of Alaska-Anchorage Chancellor Accepts State Department Post

Fran Ulmer, former chancellor of the University of Alaska at Anchorage and currently chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, has been appointed by Secretary of State John Kerry to serve as his special adviser on Arctic science and policy.

“I am honored to be able to provide advice and assistance to Secretary Kerry as the U.S. begins its chairmanship of the Arctic Council in 2015,” said Ulmer. “Alaskans are keenly interested and willing to assist the administration in providing leadership to this important effort.”

Ulmer served as lieutenant governor of Alaska from 1994 to 2002. Earlier, she was mayor of Juneau, Alaska, and served in the state’s House of Representatives. Ulmer led the University of Alaska at Anchorage from 2008 to 2011.

Ulmer holds a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.