Key Performance Indicators

University of Alaska

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Mission

University of Alaska System (UA)

The University of Alaska inspires learning, and advances and disseminates knowledge through teaching, research, and public service, emphasizing the North and its diverse peoples. AS 14.40.010, AS 14.40.060

University of Alaska Mission Statement
Board of Regents' Policy 01.01.010
Adopted 10-06-00

Key Performance Indicators

• Target: Increase total research expenditures.

• Target: Increase the number of graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs.

• Target: Sustain overall, long-term growth in number of new invention disclosures.

• Target: Maintain Outreach publication distribution.

• Target: Sell books and maps published by the UA Press.

Performance Detail

Target #1: Maintain and grow student enrollment. Methodology: One student full-time equivalent (FTE) represents the number of annual course credits required for a 2-year, 4-year or graduate major to complete "on-time", i.e. 30 credits for undergraduate and 24 credits for graduate programs. Student Full-Time Equivalents Fiscal Year Total FY 2021 13,739 FY 2020 15,051 FY 2019 16,721 FY 2018 17,555 FY 2017 18,492 Analysis of results and challenges: Student full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment dropped by about one-quarter (4,750 FTE) over the last five years, with almost two-thirds of the decline associated with the global pandemic, beginning in the second half of FY2020. Fall graduate program majors remained relatively steady between FY2020 and FY2021, while undergraduate program majors fell 9 percent. Non-degree seeking student enrollment dropped about 20 percent in the last year, reflecting this group's higher sensitivity to economic instability. Over the last five years, student enrollment has declined due to fewer high school graduates entering postsecondary education, fewer programs and budget uncertainty, coupled with significant enrollment losses since onset of the pandemic. All three universities pivoted with the necessary response to COVID, providing up to 90 percent of courses online. Going forward, there will be a new normal in the learning environment with approximately 50 percent online courses and continued recruitment and retention efforts, namely in high-demand programs to meet the critical workforce needs of Alaska. The focus now is on adding student enrollment, by continuing to foster new students as well as working with continuing students to encourage re-enrollment. UA is committed to seeing this measure improve over the next few years. To this end, investments have been made in marketing and recruitment; partnerships with K-12, including very successful options for dual enrollment; expansion of on-line programs; and innovative program delivery. Related links:    • Student Enrollment Information

Target #2: Increase completion of degree, certificate and endorsement programs. Methodology: Number of for-credit degree, certificate and endorsements earned during the fiscal year. Students may earn more than one award during a year. Degrees, Certificates and Endorsements Awarded Fiscal Year Total FY 2021 3,996 FY 2020 4,278 FY 2019 4,314 FY 2018 4,554 FY 2017 4,594 Analysis of results and challenges: The number of program credentials awarded fell 13 percent in the last five years, with a decline observed at each of the three universities. More than half the aggregate system level drop, 7 percent, occurred since the pandemic began. UAS was the only university to award more credentials in FY2021 than in FY2020, gaining 5 percent (26 awards). Some modest declines in program completion numbers were anticipated as a result of overall enrollment levels dropping. However, recent degree award changes are anticipated to be temporary, with future growth expected as student enrollment stabilizes and rebounds. Today, a higher proportion of enrolled students are completing programs and earning credentials each year than in FY2017, with the ratio of annual awards to enrolled students each fall improving from 1:6 in 2017 to 1:5 in 2021. An area of emerging strength for all three universities is undergraduate certificate programs. These workforce focused programs can be completed in a shorter time frame, ranging from one semester to two years. The number of graduates from these programs has grown 13 percent in the last year, topping 570 awards in FY2021. UA is fundamental to Alaska's economic recovery, delivering relevant programs that qualify graduates to take current and future jobs in the state. Of program graduates remaining in Alaska one year after graduation, 90 percent were employed in-state. Last year, about 1 in 10 Alaska workers were graduates of UAA, UAF, or UAS. Despite past enrollment declines, UA remains optimistic improvement is possible in program completions with investments aimed to improve student retention and more innovative and on-line program delivery options. Related links:    • UA - Anchorage Programs    • UA - Fairbanks Programs    • UA - Southeast Programs

Target #3: Increase newly trained teachers Methodology: Number of degree, certificate and credential program completions qualifying students to become new teachers. Initial Teacher Program Graduates Fiscal Year Total FY 2021 154 FY 2020 194 FY 2019 246 FY 2018 282 FY 2017 257 Analysis of results and challenges: In an effort to strengthen Teacher Education, the UA Board of Regents established the Alaska College of Education Consortium (ACEC) in June of 2021. This consortium consists of the education schools at UAA, UAF and UAS, with the goal of providing a framework and mechanism for communication, collaboration, and resource/information sharing among the programs. The number of teacher education program graduates who qualify for initial licensure has decreased about 40 percent in the last five years, with more than half the decline occurring since the pandemic began. Earlier declines were due in part to program UAA discontinuations, with a drop in graduates from programs at all three universities over the last five years. Performance is expected to improve relatively quickly in this area. The consortium is developing strategies to increase enrollment and graduates, communicate the breadth of existing programs, assess state needs, and ensure that academic pathways and opportunities for students are maintained or expanded by ensuring that a full array of programs and services are available to educate students across the state and online through faculty in Schools of Education and affiliated programs at each university. UA-trained new and continuing K-12 educators are in high demand within Alaska, with nearly 90 percent working in Alaska within a year of graduating. Related links:    • Alaska College of Education Consortium    • Teach Alaska: Nationally Accredited & State Approved Programs    • Teacher education program employment outcomes

Target #4: Increase health and related profession program graduates Methodology: Health and related profession programs are identified by Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes and include programs qualifying graduates to work in health professions such as nursing and allied health, mental health professions such as clinical psychology, and health administration professions. Health and Related Profession Program Graduates Fiscal Year Total FY 2021 834 FY 2020 886 FY 2019 831 FY 2018 939 FY 2017 874 Analysis of results and challenges: Alaska's health care costs are among the highest in the nation. One way to bring down high costs is to grow our own health care workforce. The number health and related program awards decreased about 6 percent (52 awards) between FY2020 and FY2021, a drop of about 5 percent (40 degrees) since FY2017. Some UA health programs operate on a rolling cohort cycle, which can result in annual peaks and drops in the total number of health and related graduates. Following the expected cycle, FY2018 and FY2020 were peak years, with another peak anticipated for FY2022. The overall number of majors enrolled in health and related programs also dropped a little in the last year, about 4 percent, although the number of majors pursing shorter term graduate certificates grew 150 percent between FY2020 and FY2021. UA's program participants are able to find jobs directly after graduation in high-demand health and related occupations necessary for Alaska's economic stability and growth. For example, about 90 percent of UA nursing and certified nurse aid program graduates are working in Alaska within one year. Related links:    • Health and related program employment outcomes

Target #1: Increase total research expenditures. Methodology: Total expenditures from any fund source in the Research functional classification category. Total Research Expenditures (Million $) Fiscal Year Total FY 2021 177.1 FY 2020 160.5 FY 2019 158.0 FY 2018 150.7 FY 2017 159.4 Analysis of results and challenges: FY2021 research expenditures systemwide grew by more than $16 million, or 10 percent, over FY2020 and FY2017 levels, reaching an all time high of $177 million. Growth was driven by UAF, which performs the vast majority of research. UAA and UAS experienced declines of 11 and 9 percent respectively over the last year. Research contributes to every aspect of Alaskan life - it drives innovation and discovery, spurs outside investment, generates a significant percentage of UA's annual revenue and is critical for future growth. UA invested in Arctic Initiatives like Arctic Domain Awareness Center (ADAC), Showcasing UA Research and Innovation Through Media - Alaskan Goldminds, One Health Circumpolar Initiative, Experimental Arctic Prediction Initiative, and Center for Arctic Policy Studies to continue to build competitive capacity. A climate of innovation and collaboration helps advance growth in research, creative works, and commercialization, as well as engaging undergraduate and graduate students, who continue to gain skills and knowledge in support of becoming tomorrow's leaders.

Target #2: Increase the number of graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs. Methodology: STEM programs are identified by Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) codes, and include programs qualifying graduates to work in science, technology, engineering, and math related professions, including nursing and allied health. Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Program Graduates Fiscal Year Total FY 2021 1,324 FY 2020 1,509 FY 2019 1,505 FY 2018 1,691 FY 2017 1,628 Analysis of results and challenges: Program completions in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) account for one-third of annual graduates across the system. Degrees, certificates and endorsements awarded in STEM areas declined 12 percent (185 awards) between FY2020 and FY2021, and 19 percent (316 awards) between FY2017 and FY2021. Some modest declines in program completion numbers were anticipated as a result of overall enrollment levels dropping in recent years. However, recent degree award drops are anticipated to be temporary, with future growth expected as student enrollment stabilizes and rebounds from onset of the global pandemic. Students completing science, technology, engineering and math programs are qualified to help meet Alaska's job market needs for a wide range of industries like oil and gas, information technology, mining, and many more. UA continues to provide education and training to fill Alaska's growing need for qualified employees. Related links:    • Program Employment Outcomes - Information Technology    • Program Employment Outcomes - Fisheries & Marine Science    • Program Employment Outcomes - Mining    • Program Employment Outcomes - Oil & Gas

Target #3: Sustain overall, long-term growth in number of new invention disclosures. Methodology: Measured as the number of new invention disclosures made during a fiscal year, as reported by UAA, UAF and UAS. New Invention Disclosures Fiscal Year Total FY 2021 32 FY 2020 28 FY 2019 41 FY 2018 34 FY 2017 17 Analysis of results and challenges: Commercializing intellectual property developed by UA faculty, students, and staff is a critical component of Alaska's economic future. UA continues to advance intellectual property, a process that begins with invention disclosures. Over time, some result in commercialization of technologies valuable to Alaska and its economy by creating new jobs and revenue. The annual number of invention disclosures can be subject to large swings year-to-year. In particular, the global COVID-19 pandemic led to a mandatory shutdown of research activity in March 2020, which naturally reduced the number of invention disclosures made in FY2020. In the most recent year, FY2021, UAS had about 3 percent (1) of total invention disclosures, UAA about 13 percent (4) and UAF the remaining 84 percent (27) of invention disclosures systemwide. The vast majority of research and related funding comes from sources outside the state, providing an estimated, total direct and indirect economic impact of $242M to the state in 2020, through jobs, payroll and business sales.

Target #1: Maintain Outreach publication distribution. Methodology: The number of Cooperative Extension Service hardcopy publications distributed and electronic publications accessed during the fiscal year. Source: Cooperative Extension Service Outreach Publication Distributions Fiscal Year Total FY 2021 467,653 FY 2020 748,148 FY 2019 647,720 FY 2018 190,887 FY 2017 178,410 Analysis of results and challenges: The Cooperative Extension Service (CES) has a statewide responsibility to publish and distribute research in a form useful and understandable to the general public. There are two ways CES publications are distributed: hardcopy and electronic format. The number of hardcopy publications distributed remained steady through the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, at about 150,000 annually. Reduced face-to-face outreach events and opportunities, such as summer fairs, led to about one-third as many hardcopy publications being distributed in FY2021 as in FY2019. Search capability improvements to the CES online publication library resource at the end of FY2018 resulted in more than three times as many electronic publications in FY2019, establishing a new higher baseline for this measure. In FY2020, electronic downloads reach an all-time high, likely due to ease of availability combined with social distancing requirements at the time. In FY2021, electronic publication access returned to a level similar to FY2019. Related links:    • Cooperative Extension Publication Catalog

Target #2: Sell books and maps published by the UA Press. Methodology: The total number of books and maps sold during the fiscal year as reported by the UA Press. UA Press Books and Maps Sold Fiscal Year Total FY 2020 16,564 FY 2019 28,176 FY 2018 27,167 FY 2017 25,493 Analysis of results and challenges: Historically, the University of Alaska Press has been one of very few book publishers operating in Alaska, and the only one that focuses on scholarly and educational books and e-books. Publications cover an expanding range of subject areas, including politics and history, Alaska Native languages and cultures, science and natural history, biographies and memoirs, poetry, fiction and anthologies, children's books, and original translations. The onset of COVID-19, and the consequences for the Alaska tourism industry and trade book sales, had strong adverse effects for UA Press revenues. Book and map sales by the Press declined more than 40 percent between FY2019 and FY2020. In response, University of Alaska Press temporarily suspended its book project acquisitions and development functions for the period of July 2020 to June 2021. Book and map sale numbers are not available for FY2021. In FY2022, the UA Press formally joined the University Press of Colorado Publishing Consortium. Joining the consortium provides capacity for efficient operations, growth, and increasing the profile of the authors and the press. The UA Press is able to maintain local offices and staff, and retains the ability to continue publishing under its own name. Related links:    • University of Alaska Press    • In the News: UA Press joins Colorado publishing consortium

Current as of December 16, 2021