Conner appointed VCR
April 2, 2025
Laura Conner has been appointed as UAF's vice chancellor for research.
I am excited to share with you that I have asked Dr. Laura Conner to serve as UAF’s next vice chancellor for research, and she has agreed. During her service as interim vice chancellor for research, Dr. Conner demonstrated a natural acuity for the position and the demands of the current times. She has quickly built trust and confidence among her colleagues.
The uncertainty of the time that we are in and the need for steady, thoughtful leadership led me to the decision to appoint Dr. Conner rather than initiating a prolonged search with an uncertain outcome. Dr. Conner served her interim role with enthusiasm, even in the midst of the dynamic federal climate. Her appointment enables me to ensure UAF will have leadership certainty going forward.
Dr. Conner began her work with UAF in 2006. She holds a doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from the University of Arizona. Prior to her current position as interim vice chancellor for research, she most recently served as associate director of the Geophysical Institute and research professor. While at UAF she led or co-led over $58 million in funding from NSF, NASA and the Department of Education. Dr. Conner's work includes leadership of the NSF-funded GK-12 CASE program, which has trained and provided financial support to over 40 graduate students.
With her extensive background as a researcher and educator, Vice Chancellor Conner brings a comprehensive perspective to the position. Valuing and promoting the critical interdependence of research and graduate education at UAF is a hallmark of Vice Chancellor Conner’s career. And as we navigate the times ahead, I am grateful for the collaborative and discerning approach she brings to the job. Please join me in welcoming Vice Chancellor Conner.
— Dan White, chancellor