Board of Regents name 5 finalists for interim president

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Five finalists, all with current or former ties to the University of Alaska, have been named finalists for the role of interim president.

The university system Board of Regents announced the finalists Friday: Michelle Rizk, Dana Thomas, Cathy Sandeen, Dan White and Pat Pitney.

Rizk has been acting president since late month month, following the resignation of Jim Johnsen. Thomas worked in various roles at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, including as interim chancellor. Sandeen is the chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage and White the chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Pitney is director of the Legislative Finance Division, which provides budget and revenue analyses for the Legislature, and among her previous work was a vice chancellor with the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The regents plan to interview the candidates and make a final decision Tuesday, according to a university system release. The interim president would lead the system while the board conducts a search for a permanent president.