Joan K. Wadlow

UAF Chancellor 1991-1999

Joan K. Wadlow became UAF chancellor on July 1, 1991. During her tenure she developed a long-range strategic plan to lead UAF into the 21st century; completed the university's first-ever private fundraising campaign, which raised $12.1 million; spearheaded public and private partnerships to address Alaska and Arctic issues aggressively; and sought alternatives to maintain momentum during a decade of shrinking budgets.

Before becoming UAF chancellor, Wadlow spent her professional career at three other major public universities: the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Wyoming and the University of Oklahoma. She was a professor of political science, and has been a dean, vice president of academic affairs and provost.

In 1998, she participated as a member of the University President's Mission to Israel and as a panel member for "Opening Our Own Doors: Women and Higher Education in Wyoming" at the American Heritage Center's 7th Annual Symposium, "Schoolmarms and Scholars: Women Educators of the American West" at the University of Wyoming.

Wadlow received several teaching and community service awards, and published on topics such as U.S. foreign policy, international education and educational equity.

Wadlow's Ph.D. and baccalaureate degrees are from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; her master's degree is from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy; and she has a certificate from the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva, Switzerland, where she was a Rotary scholar.

She retired in 1999 and was awarded the title of chancellor emeritus.

Wadlow grew up in Norfolk, Nebraska. She and her husband, Dick, have two daughters.