Fairbanks, Alaska, United States, January 2026 — University of Alaska has appointed Nickole Conley as Chief Human Resources Officer, effective July 2025. In her new role, she leads the system-wide human resources function, supporting workforce strategy, organizational effectiveness, and people operations across the University of Alaska’s multi-campus system.
As Chief Human Resources Officer, Nickole Conley is responsible for aligning HR strategy with institutional priorities, strengthening talent management, leadership development, and employee engagement, and supporting the University of Alaska’s mission of education, research, and public service across the state.
Prior to this appointment, she served as Chief of Staff at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she played a central role in executive operations, strategic coordination, and institutional governance. In this capacity, she worked closely with senior leadership to support decision-making, operational alignment, and cross-functional collaboration within one of the system’s largest campuses.
Earlier in her career, Nickole held the role of Chief Financial Officer at the College of Engineering and Mines (CEM), University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she oversaw financial strategy, budgeting, and fiscal governance for the college. Her experience in this role strengthened her expertise in institutional finance, operational planning, and resource management within a higher education environment.
With more than 15 years of service at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Nickole Conley brings deep institutional knowledge and a strong understanding of public higher education operations. Her combined experience across finance, executive leadership, and administrative management positions her well to lead the University of Alaska’s people strategy at a system-wide level.
About the University of Alaska
The University of Alaska is a public university system serving communities across the state through its major institutions—University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and University of Alaska Southeast—along with community campuses. The system offers nearly 500 degree, certificate, and workforce training programs, serving close to 33,000 students statewide. Governed by an 11-member Board of Regents, the University of Alaska plays a vital role in education, research, and workforce development across Alaska.
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