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Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education &
Alaska Student Loan Corporation 

Funded by the Alaska Student Loan Corporation (ASLC), the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) provides sustainable solutions for college, career and technical training.

ACPE offers a suite of financial aid and outreach services, designed to provide education access necessary for Alaskans to become peak performers, regardless of their financial status. These efforts support ACPE's Vision in which Alaskans are educated and skilled contributors to our vibrant communities and economy.

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ACPE Commissioners

ACPE is overseen by a 14-member body established by law, in 1974. Commissioners represent educational bodies and the general public with the goal to guide ACPE staff to develop and implement programs and policies to increase access to college and career training.

July 24, 2025

October 9, 2025 

January 15, 2026

April 2, 2026 


Trish Zugg
Chair 		Alaska Workforce Investment Board
 John Brown
Vice Chair 		General Public
Josh Bicchinella General Public
Representative Ashley Carrick Alaska State House of Representatives
Dr. Keith Hamilton Private Higher Education
Donald Handeland General Public
Paula Harrison UA Board of Regents
Kathryn McCollum State Board of Education and Early Development
Karen Perdue UA Board of Regents
Senator Löki Tobin Alaska State Senate
Brittany Williams Community Colleges
Vacancy General Public
Vacancy Student Representative
Vacancy Adminstrator/Private Institution

Download the Commission Members Bios here

In 1968, the Alaska Legislature established the State's first scholarship loan program as an inducement to educate its citizenry and to have them utilize that education and training in Alaska.  Scholarship loan programs were administered by the department of Education until 1974, when the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education was established to coordinate the development of educational programs and regulate postsecondary institutions in the State for the well being of all Alaskans.  In 1987, as oil prices and state oil revenues declined, state funding could no longer be assured, and the legislature created the Alaska Student Loan Corporation to raise alternative financing in the form of tax-exempt bonds.  The Commission and the Corporation continue to partner their efforts to provide educational benefits to all Alaskans.

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ASLC Directors

ASLC is a public corporation established in 1987 by the Alaska Legislature. Represented by a Board of Directors, their primary responsibilities are to authorize and oversee ASLC investments, fund ACPE programming, and to set investment policies, fees, interest rates, and loan program benefits. 

November 25, 2025

February 26, 2025

May 26, 2026

Directors
Josh Bicchinella
Chair 		ACPE Representative
Donald Handeland
Vice Chair 		ACPE Representative
Adam Crum Commissioner, Department of Revenue
Julie Sande Commissioner; Commerce, Community and Economic Development Commissioner (DCCED)
Paula Vrana Commissioner, Department of Administration
Designees
Dave Donley Deputy Commissioner, Department of Administration
Anna Latham Deputy Commissioner, Department of Commerce, Community and Enconmic Development
Geneveive Wotjusik Division Director, Department of Revenue

Download the Corporation Directors & Designees Bios here

The Alaska Student Loan Corporation (ASLC) was created under laws of the State of Alaska and codified at Alaska Statutes 14.42.100 through 14.42.990, as amended (Act). ASLC is a public corporation and government instrumentality within the Department of Education and Early Development with a legal existence independent of and separate from the State of Alaska. Its primary purpose is to finance state education loans. A combination of proceeds generated from the issuance of bonds and loan repayments fund its education loan programs. 

 ASLC is governed by a Board of Directors, appointed by the Governor. The supervision of the administration of ASLC activities is delegated to the Executive Officer, who is also the Executive Director of the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education. The board's primary responsibilities are to: Authorize and oversee investments Fund the State of Alaska's education loan programs Set investment policies, loan fees, interest rates, and program benefits ASLC meetings are open to the general public. Meeting dates, time, and location are called by the Chair as necessary to conduct business. Meetings are announced through public notices. 

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Executive Staff

Kerry Thomas
Kerry Thomas was appointed Executive Director of ACPE in May 2025 after serving as Acting Executive Director since October 2024. From 2016 - 2024, Kerry served as ACPE’s Director of Program Operations where she led the administration of Alaska’s financial aid programs, including education loans, scholarships, and grants. With over 20 years of experience in finance and audit management, Kerry directed division budgets and contributed to the organization’s strategic and legislative initiatives.  

Previously, Kerry served as ACPE’s Internal Auditor, implementing a risk-based audit program and managing a $4 million federal grant project. Prior roles in the State of Alaska’s Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and in public accounting provided a foundation in financial oversight, compliance, and client service. Kerry holds an MBA in Service Management from the University of Alaska Southeast and a BBA in Accounting from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Known for her strategic vision, leadership, and collaborative approach, Kerry is committed to advancing educational opportunities in Alaska.

Julie Pierce
Julie Pierce CPA, was appointed as the Chief Finance Officer for the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education and the Alaska Student Loan Corporation, effective June 1, 2020. She holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Alaska Southeast. 

Ms. Pierce brings extensive experience to her role, having previously served as Chief Financial Officer at True North Federal Credit Union; Director of Finance & Development at Sealaska Heritage Institute; Assistant Comptroller and State Comptroller for the State of Alaska; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Alaska Pacific Bank; and most recently, as the Finance Officer for the Department of Corrections, State of Alaska.to be notified when ACPE’s new 2024-25 loan applications are available.

Kate Hillenbrand
Kate Hillenbrand joined the Commission in 2020 with over 15 years of experience working in higher education. After moving to Alaska in 2005, Kate held positions at public and private postsecondary institutions, with responsibilities and oversight in admissions, recruiting, marketing, strategic planning, and change management.

 Earning a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Alaska Southeast, Kate is committed to the Mission of ACPE to provide sustainable solutions for college, career and technical training for all Alaskans.

Jamie Oliphant
Jamie Oliphant started with the Commission in 1998 as an intern while attending secondary and postsecondary education. In 2004 she joined the Commission full time. During her tenure, she has served in both Operations and Information Support Services (ISS) Divisions providing expertise in business process and data analysis, project management, leadership and team development, and technical solution design and implementation. 

In 2019, she was appointed to the Acting Director of ISS and was permanently appointed to the position in early 2020. Ms. Oliphant graduated Cum Laude from Eastern Washington University with a bachelor of business administration with an emphasis in marketing and management.

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Strategic Plan

In 2024, ACPE launched of its new Strategic Plan, Mission, Vision, and Strategic Priorities. Throughout the strategic planning process, ACPE collaborated with education stakeholders, Legislators, students and families, staff, and many more to gain feedback and insight into how ACPE can best serve Alaskans and Alaska. Download the full ACPE Strategic Plan here.


ACPE's Strategic Plan At-A-Glance offers a high level overview of the critical components of the Strategic Plan including Mission, Vision, and Strategic Priorities.

Become the education lender of choice in Alaska and for Alaskans. 

Increase access to, and utilization of, federal and state education funding sources. 

Operate a sustainable organization responsive to students, customers, stakeholders, and employees. 

Position ACPE to help bridge the education gap in Alaska’s current and future workforce needs.

The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) provides sustainable solutions for college, career and technical training.

Alaskans are educated and skilled contributors to our vibrant communities and economy.

The evolution of ACPE also incorporates a new logo for the organization. Find out more about how our new logo supports our new direction.

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Statutes & Regulations

Statutes are laws stating general authority, intention, and purpose, and are passed by the State Legislature. 

Regulations further articulate and interpret practices and procedures required to comply with Statutes. Regulations define how statutory laws will be implemented, and are adopted by the Commission, and approved by the Executive Branch.   

 Statutes and Regulations governing the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education can be found here.


The regulation of Alaska Postsecondary Institutions and Training Providers is established in Alaska Statute Chapters 42 and 48, and regulated by the Alaska Administrative Code in Chapter 17.     

Alaska's financial aid education loan programs are established in Chapter 43 of Alaska Statutes and in Chapter 15 of the Alaska Administrative Code.

Statutes:
Chapter 42 - Postsecondary Education
Chapter 43 - Financial Aid Programs for Postsecondary Students
Chapter 48 - Regulation of Postsecondary Education Institutions

Regulations: 
Chapter 14 - Alaska Student Loan Corporation
Chapter 15 - Student Financial Aid
Chapter 16 - Education Grant and Scholarship Programs
Chapter 17 - Regulation of Postsecondary Education Institutions
Chapter 18 - WICHE Professional Student Exchange Loan Program
Chapter 19 - Financial Support for the WWAMI Program

 

The Alaska Education Grant and Alaska Performance Scholarship are established in Alaska Statute Chapter 43 and regulated in Chapter 16 of the Alaska Administrative Code.      

The WWAMI Medical Education Program and the Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) are regulated by Chapters 18 & 19 of the Alaska Administrative Code.     

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Funding Solutions

Providing access to education funding solutions including AEG, APS, and education loans. 

Planning Resources

 Offering a variety of college and career training resources to plan & prepare for the future

Consumer Protection

 Ensuring compliance of institutions & training providers  

 

Annual Publications & Reports

Reporting data & outcomes related to higher education in Alaska