Helping create a vibrant campus community

Supporting your journey every step of the way!

Our mission is to enhance your university experience by fostering a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment where you can thrive academically, socially, and personally.

The Dean of Students serves as an advocate, mentor, and resource for students, providing leadership in areas that impact your well-being and success. Whether you’re seeking guidance, looking to get involved, or need help navigating challenges, we are here to assist you.

APU Dean of Students
Ben Hahn
907-564-8289

Direct Services

Our office oversees and coordinates a number of special services and unique opportunities to assist students in gaining the most from their APU experiences:

Each Fall, our office coordinates a multi-day orientation program for new campus undergraduate students. In the spring a one-day program is offered, for more detailed information visit the New Student Orientation section.

For help with any step in the writing process, including help to prepare and deliver classroom presentations, APU students receive tutoring at no extra cost through the Effective Communication Center, overseen by the APU writing program.

Tutoring typically is offered virtually: Students email their drafts along with assignment instructions to the Effective Communication Center by sending an email to ecc@alaskapacific.edu.

A tutor’s comments are sent by email, usually within three business days.

ECC tutors are ready to help with steps like focusing a topic and developing a productive thesis statement; gathering information efficiently and evaluating credible sources; revising for logical organization and standard usage, including spelling, punctuation and word choice.

Despite the best efforts of many of our students, each year events happen in their lives where they face unexpected challenges. The Dean of Students is there to help students cope and to offer advice on how to weather difficult periods. Some students come to the Dean of Students seeking advice on how to succeed in classes. For others it can be a family crisis, concerns about a roommate, or issues related to their personal health and well-being. If you need help or confidential advice that will help you succeed in accomplishing your goals, give the Dean’s office a call or drop by the office in Atwood Center.

Alaska Pacific University offers current students who experience unexpected financial difficulties an opportunity to apply for an emergency student loan. These loans are designed to help students manage short-term, unexpected financial crises – they are not a substitute for regular financial aid awards. There is a $1,000 limit on the loans and most awards are from $100 to $500.

APU has a long history of hosting students from around the world. Students from Nicaragua, Northern Ireland, Russia, El Salvador, Myanmar, West Bank, Nigeria, Austria, and elsewhere have attended APU, greatly enriching the university community. The Admissions Office helps prospective international students negotiate the rules and processes that guide students in obtaining F-1 visas. Contact admissions@alaskapacific.edu, 907-561-1266 for assistance.

Alaska Pacific University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Students seeking accommodations should schedule a meeting with the Assistant to the Dean of Students, located in the Atwood Building. Information on documenting disabilities and establishing appropriate accommodations will be made available upon request. Additional disability services.

Diverse Leadership Opportunities

At Alaska Pacific University, we create opportunities for students to learn, grow, and push their personal limits. Whether exploring Alaska’s remote wilderness on outdoor adventures, organizing retreats and social events in the residence halls, or planning leadership conferences and community service initiatives, APU students play an active role in shaping campus life.

We believe every student has the potential to lead, and we are committed to helping them develop leadership skills that will last a lifetime. Through a wide variety of activities and programs, our students gain hands-on experience and make a meaningful impact within the APU community.

Student Leadership Awards

Established in 1990, the Student Leadership Awards program recognizes and celebrates the time, energy, and dedication students contribute to enhancing campus life. These awards honor APU’s tradition of student involvement and initiative. They are non-need-based and renewable, highlighting our commitment to fostering leadership and rewarding excellence.

Questions about specific policies on campus

We know you may have questions about how things work on campus from time to time. From campus policies to our expectations for student conduct and behavior, we hope these resources will help you find what you’re looking for.

As an institution of higher education, in accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, Alaska Pacific University is required to provide information about health risks associated with drug and alcohol use; counseling and treatment resources; University policies and sanctions; and federal, state, and local law and legal sanctions relative to alcohol and other drugs.

APU DRUG FREE SCHOOLS NOTIFICATION

Take the first step toward civic engagement by learning how to register and vote in Alaska. Whether you’re a local resident or an out-of-state college student, we’ve got you covered with everything you need:

Register to Vote: Access Alaska’s online voter registration application or download a printable form to get started.
Eligibility Requirements: Find out who qualifies to register and vote in Alaska.
How to Vote: Learn about voting options, including early voting, absentee ballots, and Election Day procedures.
Where to Vote: Discover your polling place and other voting locations across the state.
Resources for Out-of-State Students: Get guidance on voting in Alaska while maintaining ties to your home state.

Make your voice heard—participate in the democratic process!

VOTER REGISTRATION

Student & Campus Life Handbooks

Each year, our office publishes a new handbook for students. This handbook not only provides valuable information about campus offices, it also details the numerous services and resources on and off-campus. We encourage all students to review the handbook and have a copy of it to reference. If you would like to have a physical copy of this year’s student handbook, let us know (DOSOff@alaskapacific.edu) and we will get one to you!

You can also view the Campus Life Handbook here or pick up a paper copy of the handbook at the Campus Life Office.

STUDENT HANDBOOK CAMPUS LIFE HANDBOOK