What Happened?
Anchorage, AK-based Erik Seastedt as Chief Human Resources Officer
About the Company
The university system started as the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines in Fairbanks, later renamed the University of Alaska. That first year, the campus was a single two-story frame building and had just six students. The school was renamed the University of Alaska in 1935. In 1954, Anchorage Community College (now known as the University of Alaska Anchorage) was incorporated into the University of Alaska. That next year, Juneau Community College was established and was later named the University of Alaska Southeast. The UA system`s largest hubs (UAA, UAF and UAS) are separately accredited institutions, as is Prince William Sound Community College in Valdez. System-wide, nearly 33,000 full- and part-time students are enrolled, studying among 500 unique degree, certificate or endorsement programs. Study areas include short-course workforce training, associate degrees, bachelor`s and master`s degrees, as well as doctorates. Programs include a wide array of the sciences, engineering, teacher and early childhood education, business, journalism and communications, aviation, health occupations, history, English, the arts and humanities and many others. Per the Alaska Constitution, an 11-member board of regents governs the system. The system president serves as the board`s chief executive officer. Chancellors for each of the hubs—UAA, UAF and UAS--report to the president.
About the Person
R. Erik Seastedt grew up in Jamestown NY and was the first person in his family to obtain a college degree. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology/Biology from St. Bonaventure University and a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management from the State University of New York at Fredonia. He began his HR career as the Benefits Manager for a large, not-for-profit organization serving individuals with disabilities. When an opportunity presented itself to become HR Director in his old school system, Seastedt took it, gaining another education in union-based labor relations. Desiring to move into higher education full time (after 18 years as an adjunct professor in psychology and business), Seastedt moved west to the University of Wyoming to become their Compensation Manager in 2003. At Wyoming, he managed the review of performance, salaries and job descriptions for over 3,000 employees around the state. Wishing to further explore the wild west, Seastedt moved to Great Basin College in Elko Nevada as HR Director. He remained at Great Basin until his homesickness for trees brought him back to the State University of New York at Cobleskill as the Director of Human Resources and Affirmative Action. After six years back in NY, Seastedt discovered the true meaning of life and the location of heaven on earth and moved to Alaska in September of 2013. Seastedt has twin sons only one of whom is spoken for. His wife Kathy passed away in 2008.
Info Source
News
Short Profile