Sean Parnell

Former Chancellor, University of Alaska Anchorage

Former Chancellor Sean Parnell led the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), Alaska’s largest institution of higher education, and advanced UAA’s role as Alaska’s largest workforce provider and the flagship university for health and Arctic public policy. Under his leadership, the university pursued key initiatives focusing on college affordability, student success, and positioning UAA as a trusted community partner.

Parnell was an attorney practicing law in Alaska for twenty-five years. Parnell served as the 10th Governor of the State of Alaska from 2009-2014. His leadership expanded funding for education, helped combat domestic violence and sexual assault, and led to record economic prosperity and employment in Alaska. He previously served in the Alaska State Legislature, and he was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2006.

Parnell is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University (BBA) and earned his juris doctor from Seattle University School of Law.