KoC Thanks Jacelyn Keys

KoC Thanks Jacelyn Keys for Six Years of Leadership and Care

Kodiak College extends its sincere gratitude to Director Jacelyn Keys as she transitions into a new role within the University of Alaska system after six years of service to the college and the Kodiak community.

Since joining Kodiak College in 2020, Keys has helped guide the college through a period of meaningful change and growth. During her tenure, Kodiak College saw enrollment recovery to pre-COVID levels and a 33% increase in student enrollment over five years. At the same time, the college experienced a significant financial turnaround that strengthened long-term stability and positioned the campus for the future.

Beyond the numbers, her impact is felt in the day-to-day life of the college community. Keys has been a steady presence in the building and in the work – showing up for conversations, listening closely, and helping move ideas forward with care and intention. She has often described community campuses as the “learning living room” of a community, a place where people come as they are, learn together, and build something shared. That belief has shaped how she led, and how she saw Kodiak College’s role on the island.

Under her guidance, Kodiak College expanded its role as a regional hub for workforce development and community engagement. Working alongside faculty, staff, students, and community partners, she helped strengthen relationships with industry, tribal organizations, municipal agencies, and nonprofits, ensuring programs remain responsive to the needs of the Kodiak Archipelago.

Student support was also a key focus during her tenure. In partnership with Student Government and student leaders, the college expanded access to emergency grants, food assistance, scholarships, and other essential resources – efforts that strengthened student belonging and helped more students stay connected to their education during challenging times.

Colleagues describe her leadership as steady, thoughtful, and collaborative. She brought a calm, grounded approach to complex work, always keeping students and the people doing the work alongside them at the center.

Keys began her new role as Director of Workforce Development for the University of Alaska System in February 2026, where she now supports statewide efforts to strengthen workforce pathways and partnerships across Alaska. She continues to be based in Kodiak.

Dr. Jackie Cason will serve as interim director of Kodiak College during this transition. Dr. Cason brings more than two decades of experience at the University of Alaska Anchorage, along with extensive academic leadership experience and a strong commitment to student success and Alaska’s communities.

Keys will also be recognized at Kodiak College’s commencement ceremony on May 8 at 7 p.m. at the Gerald C. Wilson Auditorium.

Kodiak College extends its sincere gratitude to Jacelyn Keys for her leadership, care, and lasting contributions to the college community. While her role is changing, her impact remains present in the programs she helped strengthen, the partnerships she helped build, and the people she supported along the way.