An article by Iris Samuels in the ADN highlights the links between Seth Church's far right philosophy and campaign contributions to Dunleavy.
But I want to emphasize a slightly different issue - the drift over the years from the Board of Regents being advocates of higher education to being supposed advocates of running the University like a business, and now to being totally non-academic conservatives who look on higher education with suspicion. The combination of the recent trends has led to a Board of Regents devoid of people with the highest academic credentials, with serious teaching, or academic experience.
Samuels quotes newly appointed University of Alaska Board of Regents member Seth Church, "who does not have a university degree":
“The university is a diverse place and diverse opinions and diverse educational backgrounds all can have a positive impact on the university, as long as you have people that are committed to its success,”
It's not clear whether this statement was a response to a question about his lack of a college degree. (Samuels hasn't responded to an email sent four days ago.) If it is, I'd point out, that Church does not add any sort of diversity that I can detect to the Board of Regents.
"The University of Alaska Board of Regents is an 11-member board, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Alaska Legislature. Members serve an 8-year term, with the exception of the student regent who is nominated from his/her campus and serves a 2-year term. The 8-year term begins on the first Monday in February; student regent term begins on June 1. Regents serve until their successor is appointed." (from UA)
The governor's website says that “As a business owner, Seth brings a perspective to the Board of Regents that will ensure the University of Alaska is effectively preparing students for productive careers.”
My sense of what the governor means by "productive careers", based on Church's background and the relentless budget cuts to education over Dunleavy's administration is people who will work in positions that serve employers in construction, oil and gas, mining, and such fields. He's not interested in people who study liberal arts or science fields that yield experts who might challenge industry on environmental or safety or equity issues.
Again, what perspective is does Church bring, that isn't already represented?
There are already two Board members who don't list any university degrees - Dennis L. Michel and Ralph Seekins. (They haven't responded to emails asking if this was an oversight.)
There are already Board members who appear to represent concern for the workforce that requires technical skills but not academic degrees - Dennis L. Michel and Joey Crum.
If it's ethnic diversity, there's no explanation of how his nomination expands that. The only Regent whose bio reflects anything beyond white is Michel who notes that he was 'raised by an Athabascan mother." Obviously there could be others who haven't highlighted their ethnicity in their bios.
It's not gender diversity. The Board already has six men and four women (one of whom is the student regent, nominated by students and serving only two years.)
It's not geographic diversity. At this point all the Board members come from places on the road system. A total of eight from Fairbanks (3), Anchorage (3), Matsu. (2), and one from Soldotna, and one from Juneau. Church makes the fourth from Fairbanks.
Professional background, expertise? Five have business degrees and have been involved in large (Conoco Phillips) or small businesses.
What's conspicuously missing? People with academic experience. People with PhD's. People with teaching experience. People with science backgrounds and research backgrounds.
Can you imagine the Board of any organization filled with people who do not have experience and expertise in the field? One or two members with other experience, sure, but there's no one with academic work experience (Regent Purdue has university administrative experience) on the Board as far as I can tell.
While the media have focused (rightfully) on the large budget cuts the University has suffered (along with K-12) under Dunleavy, they haven't focused on the elimination of people who understand how universities work. The stuffing of the Board with people from business began well before Dunleavy. Dunleavy's contribution seems to be political hacks who are loyal to Dunleavy. The legislature didn't approve Bethany Marcum, who was a senate aide to Dunleavy and then went to the libertarian and Koch supported Alaska Policy Forum, and was part of the Dunleavy appointed redistricting Board team that tried (unsuccessfully) to gerrymander Eagle River senate seats. When she was not approved, he appointed another far Right member of his team, Tuckerman Babcock. You know, the guy who helped the Governor set up a loyalty oath and fired those who wouldn't sign it. This cost the State high level professionals in law and medicine and eventual court ordered payments.
And now we get Seth Church (who also worked for the Alaska Policy Forum.) Babcock and Church were appointed too late for the legislature to approve them, so they become members of the Board, at least until the legislature returns into session in January 2024 and has a chance to vote on their appointments.
Dunleavy has now appointed nine of the eleven members of the Board of Regents (though one was originally appointed by Governor Parnell and the student Regent was nominated by her campus. Three of those appointments appear to have no college degrees.
Nationally, Republicans have worked hard to take over local school boards and taking over the Board of Regents fits with that strategy. The Board of Regents is easier because the governor appoints those members.
Below is the list of University of Alaska Board of Regents members from their website. I've edited the bios to focus on the professional experience and educational background. You can see all the details here. [Click on bio and contact links below each picture to get individual board members' details.] Church's appointment would fill the eleventh seat.
appointed in 2012 by Governor Parnell and re-appointed by Governor Dunleavy in 2021.
"He brings to the board extensive life experiences from both the private and public sector. He has owned and operated numerous enterprises as well as served as a member of the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly, legislative aide for the House Finance Committee in the Alaska State Legislature and as com."
Education: BA in Business Administration from Oral Roberts University, a certificate of judicial development in administrative law from the University of Nevada
Appointed in May 2023 by Governor Mike Dunleavy. Regent Babcock has a B.A. in government from Wesleyan University.
Regent Babcock is retired from public service, where he most recently served as the governor’s chief of staff. His business and professional experience includes being the commissioner of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and ten years in management with the Matanuska Electric Association.
Joey Crum was appointed by Governor Dunleavy in 2023.
As President & CEO of Northern Industrial Training in Palmer, Regent Crum has dedicated his professional life to training and promoting workplace skills.
Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Puget Sound, a Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law, and a Master of Science in organizational leadership from Columbia Southern University.
Paula Harrison was appointed by Governor Dunleavy in 2023. She has 40 years of experience in human resources and labor relations across the public and private sectors. Regent Harrison is the past chair of the Alaska Labor Relations Board. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in political science/economics from the University of Colorado-Denver and her Master of Arts in management from Webster University.
Dennis L. Michel was appointed in 2023 by Governor Dunleavy. Regent Michel is a lifelong Alaskan, born and raised in Fairbanks, and is an accomplished businessman with years of experience and knowledge in the construction industry.
His financial prowess has led to numerous successful business developments and multiple active companies that currently serve the Fairbanks community and the State of Alaska. From the influences of being raised by his Army Air Corps father and Athabascan mother, to influential figures in his life, like his Uncle Morris Thompson, and Regent Michel’s business agent experiences in the early days of the pipeline, he understands the complexities and unique opportunities of Alaska.
Regent Michel and his companies have served and given back to the youth of the community for decades through employment, sponsorships, and as a vital leader and coach for youth sports. He believes in developing leaders and the future of his community. Regent Michel embraces new opportunities and ideas with vigor, striving to always adapt and develop to changing environments.
Karen Perdue, vice chair of the board, was appointed in 2017 by Governor Walker. She is a lifelong Alaskan with a background in health care, public policy and interests in the history and culture of Alaska.
Regent Perdue is a graduate of Stanford University. She is semi-retired, focusing her work on critical public health issues and serves on the board of the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Foundation.
Ralph Seekins, chair of the board, was appointed in 2021 by Governor Dunleavy. Regent Seekins is president and owner of Seekins Ford-Lincoln in Fairbanks. In addition to being elected to the Alaska State Senate from 2003-2006, he has served on the City of Fairbanks Permanent Fund Review Board,
Albiona Selimi was appointed as the Student Regent in 2023 by Governor Dunleavy. Regent Selimi is from Wasilla, Alaska, and has experience representing students as she served as the Chief Activities Officer for the Union of Students at the University of Alaska, Anchorage.
Regent Selimi is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with minors in Justice and Women's Studies.
