Fairbanks UAF picks Fort Wainwright commander as next chancellor

On May 27, the University of Alaska announced that Col. Russell Vander Lugt will be the next permanent chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, a change that puts a Fort Wainwright commander at the top of one of Fairbanks’ most important institutions.

Vander Lugt currently commands the 11th Airborne Division’s Arctic Aviation Command at Fort Wainwright. UA said he is also a UAF alumnus with an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Arctic and Northern History, giving the campus leader a mix of military, academic, and Arctic experience.

A summer transition already in motion

The handoff has a clear schedule. UA said Interim Chancellor Mike Sfraga’s last day is May 30, 2026. Larry Hinzman, the former UAF vice chancellor of research and current director of the UA Arctic Leadership Initiative, will serve as interim chancellor during the bridge period.

Vander Lugt is scheduled to start Sept. 8, 2026. That leaves UAF with a summer transition period as campus leaders prepare for a new permanent chancellor heading into the fall semester.

Why the appointment matters in Fairbanks

For students, staff, researchers, and local partners, the change matters because the chancellor helps set the tone for campus priorities, research direction, and community relationships. UAF plays a major role in Fairbanks life, and leadership changes at the university often ripple through the broader Interior economy and civic scene.

The appointment also reinforces UAF’s long-running connection to Alaska’s military and Arctic research communities. Fort Wainwright and the university have overlapping roles in the region, and Vander Lugt’s background places those ties front and center.

Residents who follow campus issues can expect more onboarding and early priority-setting over the summer, with a closer look at how Vander Lugt approaches enrollment, research, and community outreach once he takes over in September.

Sources

• University of Alaska News Center — May 27, 2026 chancellor announcement
• KUAC — Senior Army officer chosen to lead University of Alaska Fairbanks
• UAF Office of the Chancellor — Leadership page