Matanuska-Susitna College

<p>The University of Alaska dates from July 4, 1915, when the Honorable James Wickersham, delegate to Congress from Alaska, laid the cornerstone on land near Fairbanks that was set aside by Congress for the support of a land-grant college. The Territorial Legislature accepted the land-grant on May 3, 1916, and created "The Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines," defined its duties, and provided for a Board of Trustees consisting of eight members.</p>

<p>The College opened for instruction on September 18, 1922, with the Honorable Charles E. Bunnell as President. The College became the University of Alaska by act of the Territorial Legislature on July 1, 1935; the Board of Trustees became the Board of Regents.</p>

<p>Today, the University's statewide system includes university centers at Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau. The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) has three extended colleges: Kenai Peninsula College in Kenai-Soldotna, Kodiak College in Kodiak, and Matanuska-Susitna College in Palmer, and an affiliate college, Prince William Sound Community College in Valdez. UAA also offers military education services at Eielson Air Force Base, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Fort Richardson Army Base, and Fort Wainwright Army Base.</p>

<p>Matanuska-Susitna College is accredited through the University of Alaska Anchorage and the Commission on Colleges of the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.</p>

<p>The Alaska State Approving Agency for veteran’s educational benefits approves many programs of study at Mat-Su College.</p>

<p>As a unit of a statewide university system, the College benefits from the University of Alaska's membership in the Association of American State Colleges and Universities, the Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, and institutional membership in the American Council of Education, the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.</p>

<p>The University of Alaska is on the approved list of colleges and universities of the American Association of University Women.</p>

<p>Matanuska–Susitna College in Palmer, Alaska, north of Anchorage, is part of the University of Alaska-Anchorage system. The college began in 1958 as Palmer Community College, changing its name in 1963 to correspond to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough where it is located. It is commonly called Mat-Su College. Total enrollment is about 1,650. Talis Colberg was appointed as the fourth Director of the College in 2002.</p>

<p>Matanuska–Susitna College offers two-year associate degree programs. In addition, Matanuska–Susitna College offers numerous community enrichment programs, such as watercolor painting, metalsmithing, knifemaking, and pottery. The Mat-Su Community Choir also has classes and recitals in the College.</p>

<p>The Matanuska–Susitna College campus sits on a 950-acre (3.8 km2) area. The college has five main buildings, comprising a 102,676-square-foot (9,539 m2) facility.</p>