Lay Trustee
KUAC, Fairbanks

Karen Perdue is Associate Vice President at the University of Alaska, where she leads several statewide initiatives. She was named to the position in October 2001 to help develop health and social sciences capacity throughout the university. She also has responsibility for enhancing the university’s educational technology and distance learning efforts.

In 2004-2005 she also led an award-winning statewide initiative involving historians, educators, media, and the public to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the writing of Alaska’s Constitution.

From 1994 to 2001, Perdue, a Stanford University graduate, served as Alaska’s Commissioner of Health and Social Services. During her tenure, she led the state’s efforts in public health, health care and welfare reform, care for the mentally ill and pioneered the State’s response to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.

Perdue serves on the boards of several national and state organizations and has received numerous recognitions for her work. In 2000, the Alaska Journal of Commerce named her one of the 25 most powerful Alaskans. Perdue is a member of the KUAC Leadership Council and an active advocate for public broadcasting.