Dean's Dispatch Issue 16

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November 2025, Issue 16

Dear Alumni and Friends,

鈥淏y the numbers鈥� is the theme of this quarter鈥檚 Dean鈥檚 Dispatch, and this issue is chock full of data, numbers, and metrics. As a mathematician, I find numbers and data exciting as they give concise information - I鈥檓 100% sure of this! However, I think the true power of data is when they are combined with a compelling story. For example, there are many metrics we are working on at UAA, including graduation rates, because it is important to us that students who start at UAA complete their academic goals. In fact, the number of degrees and certificates awarded at UAA has shown a 2.8% increase from 2023. In this issue we tell the story of Carly Flake, who is on track to graduate in the spring. Carly recounts balancing and crunching numbers in her double major of Accounting/Finance and Business Administration with her creative passion in her double minor of English and Dance.

鈥淪tudents First鈥� is the first pillar of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) strategic plan. This is a guideline for much of what we do. We know our students have complicated lives - many are part time, many have families, and many have jobs. CAS is home to both the AA and AS degree and we encourage students to complete an Associates degree along the way to their bachelor's. The AA degree requires completing the general education requirements and 60 credits. We are also offering courses that meet during the first half or second half of the semester. These courses allow students to take one course at a time and complete their AA degree in a timely manner. We鈥檝e also developed easy-to-use pathways for obtaining an interdisciplinary degree, which often helps students who have changed majors a few times to combine their unique set of courses into a meaningful degree.

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As is fitting for an issue on numbers, we have included an interview with math alumnus, Peter House. We explore how his passion for mathematics shaped his career, fueled his resilience, and continues to drive his contributions to the community. His journey from first-generation college student to tech entrepreneur exemplifies the transformative power of education at UAA.

We also spoke with one of our new science faculty, Dr. Nicolas Harrichhausen., who transforms raw geological data into visual insights that help students and communities understand seismic hazards. Read on to learn why 鈥�0.8 - 6.1 mm/yr.鈥� is his favorite metric.

Numbers are also used all the time in sports. With that in mind, I invite you to save the date to the CAS Night at Seawolf Hockey at the Sullivan Arena on February 20 as part of the Governor's Cup. Come support the Seawolves, learn more about our CAS programs, watch the Seawolf-Nanook matchup, and register to win CAS swag and tickets to upcoming events.

Best,

jmcnulty signature dean mcnulty

Dean McNulty with Bill Nye, CAS Community Lecture Series Speaker

Dr. Jenny McNulty, Dean

We are grateful to be guests on the homeland of the Dena'ina Athabascan people.

Peter House

Alumni Spotlight:

Peter House

鈥淕oing to UAA was a dream come true because I was the first in my family to graduate with a degree. UAA, of course, has probably launched 10,000 or 100,000 such stories over its lifetime, and I happen to be just one of them, right?鈥�

Peter House (Mathematics major, Philosophy minor 鈥�07) understands numbers more than most people. Looking back, he credits the skills he learned at CAS for setting the stage for his ever-evolving journey鈥攁s a software developer, IT manager, francophile, and eventually, a CEO.