KPC Seeks New Director

This page will be updated as we move through the selection process. Newer posts will be at the top.

Community Forum Schedule

All candidates will be available for Community Forums.  Each Forum will be held at the Kenai River Campus, CTEC Building from 4:30-5:30 PM. The schedule is as follows:

• Dr. Karen Davis O'Hara    Monday, April 20
• Dr. Kimberly Payne    Tuesday, April 21
• Dr. Kristen Majocha   Wednesday, April 22
• Sean Bedard-Parker   Thursday, April 23

Final Candidate Biographies

Final candidate biographies are presented in alphabetical order and as written by the candidate.

• Sean Bedard-Parker; April 23, 2026

  Community Forum: Thursday, April 23
  CTEC Lobby 4:30-5:30 PM
  

  • Candidate Bio

    Sean is an academic vice president and values‑driven higher education leader with extensive experience in academic operations, student success, and community‑responsive leadership. He is known for his emphasis upon institutional and operational integrity, desire for improving communication pathways, and creating environments where students and employees experience genuine belonging.

    Sean grew up in San Antonio in a military family as the youngest of six children. His early experiences shaped a deep appreciation for learning and a commitment to educational access and social mobility. He earned his BA in French from the University of Texas at Austin and completed master’s‑level work in International Relations and Economics at St. Mary’s University. He is completing his PhD in Human Resource Development at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

    Sean currently serves as Academic Vice President at Gogebic Community College in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. His leadership emphasizes operational coherence, mission alignment, and collaborative problem‑solving across academic and student‑focused areas, especially workforce development.

    Service has been a consistent thread throughout his life. He served as a Peace Corps Volunteer, a volunteer teacher in k-12, worked as a volunteer firefighter and EMR with the Pequaywan Lake Fire Department in rural Duluth, and contributed as a committee member for CHUM. He also mentors first‑generation students at GCC.

    Outside of work, Sean enjoys time with his spouse, Jenn, stays connecting with his grown sons in Duluth, and delights in “puppy play time” with his three dogs—Bumpy, Liebchen, and Gracie. He continues to officiate soccer at multiple competitive levels during the warmer months and is an enthusiastic cross‑country skier and master biathlete when winter arrives.

    Sean is a finalist for the Director position at Kenai Peninsula College and is drawn to KPC’s mission, strong community partnerships, and commitment to accessible, high‑quality education across the Kenai Peninsula.

  Comment Period is Now Closed

   

• Dr. Karen Davis O'Hara; April 20, 2026

  Community Forum: Monday, April 20
  CTEC Lobby 4:30-5:30 PM
  

  • Candidate Bio  
    Dr. Karen Davis O’Hara was born and raised in Alaska, graduating from Soldotna High School before moving to California. She attended University of California, Davis where she completed her Bachelor’s and Doctoral degrees in Human Development. In 2000 she began the tenure-track at California State University, Sacramento in the Department of Child Development where she specialized in teaching and research on children’s emotional development and its relation to psychobiology. She worked her way from Professor to Department Chair, to ultimately the Associate Dean of Instruction and Student Success for the College of Education, serving a total of 12 years in university administration at that institution. After 22 years at Sac State, she and her family moved to Grass Valley, CA where she has served as the Executive Dean of the small, rural Sierra College – Nevada County Campus. Building on her experience in curriculum development, college budgeting and enrollment management, student success programs and community engagement, she has led the campus in fostering critical partnerships within the local community and notably increasing on-ground student enrollment. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, swimming, traveling and reading, and watching almost anything that will make her laugh (which is not hard to do!)   

  Comment Period is Now Closed

   

• Dr. Kristen Lynn Majocha; April 22, 2026

  Community Forum: Wednesday, April 22
  CTEC Lobby, 4:30-5:30 PM
  

  • Candidate Bio

    Dr. Kristen Lynn Majocha brings more than fifteen years of executive leadership in higher education, grounded in a deep commitment to students, community partnership, and the transformative power of education, particularly in rural and Indigenous contexts. Her work reflects a career shaped by academic excellence, lived experience, and a belief that strong institutions are built through trust, listening, and meaningful relationships.

    Currently serving at Ilisagvik College in Utqiaġvik, AK, Dr. Majocha leads student services, enrollment management, and campus-wide initiatives that support student success in one of the most remote regions in the United States. She manages a $3.1 million budget in Student Services and focuses on improving rural access and aligning education with Alaska’s workforce needs. As a principal investigator on multiple federal and state grants, she oversees more than $4 million to advance programs connecting education to workforce development, cultural sustainability, and well-being.

    Throughout her career, Dr. Majocha has focused on strengthening institutions in rural communities. She has led large academic divisions and student services divisions and previously served as Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, where she oversaw more than 300 faculty and staff at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. In that role, she guided strategic priorities, resource allocation, and program development.  At California University of Pennsylvania, she worked collaboratively to launch dual credit programs that expanded access for high school students. She also achieved significant enrollment gains, growing international student enrollment by 50 percent at the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown.  Her leadership reflects a consistent record of supporting faculty and staff, improving student outcomes, and fostering inclusive environments where students feel a strong sense of belonging. 

    An award-winning teacher and scholar in communication and ethics, Dr. Majocha approaches leadership through the lens of story, recognizing that listening to others’ experiences is essential to building responsive, community-centered institutions. She leads with the belief that servant leadership is essential to effective and ethical higher education, and that institutions are strongest when they are deeply connected to the communities they support. She believes education should reflect and serve those communities, aligning closely with the mission to provide accessible, high-quality education that meets diverse needs.

    A U.S. Navy veteran, Dr. Majocha brings a steady, service-oriented approach to leadership. She is the proud mother of four grown children, who remain a central inspiration in her life and work. Outside of her professional role, she enjoys hunting, fishing, and riding her four-wheeler, staying closely connected to the land and the rhythms of life in Alaska.

    Dr. Majocha is honored by the opportunity to engage with the community of Kenai Peninsula College and hopes to building relationships that strengthen student pathways, expand workforce partnerships, and ensure the college continues to be a vital resource for the region and the state.

  Comment Period is Now Closed

   

• Dr. Kimberly Payne; April 21, 2026

  Community Forum: Tuesday, April 21
  CTEC Lobby, 4:30-5:30 PM
  

  • Candidate Bio

    Dr. Kimberly Payne is an educational administrator and systems architect specializing in the design, scaling, and assessment of innovative learning infrastructures. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership from West Texas A&M University and combines academic rigor with operational expertise. With a specific focus on expanding educational access, Dr. Payne has successfully scaled district-wide Early College High School (ECHS) frameworks, effectively bridging the transition from secondary to post-secondary education. Committed to helping students realize their potential, she works to improve lives and strengthen institutions that serve all members of a community.

    As Campus Administrator, Dr. Payne leads the development of a district-wide Early College High School framework. She oversees the design of curriculum pathways, staffing models, and facility utilization to maximize dual-enrollment opportunities. By transforming the high school-to-college pipeline, she has significantly increased student access to professional certifications and college-credit attainment, directly aligning secondary education with regional workforce demands. By applying data analytics and qualitative research, she measures student outcomes against clear performance indicators and builds evidence-based systems to support ongoing institutional improvement and student success.

    Dr. Payne’s leadership is rooted in a career-long commitment to fiscal stewardship and systems management. Early in her career, she served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer in the insurance industry, developing a forensic approach to budget development and risk mitigation. This financial rigor supported her transition into government service, where she advanced from analyst and program manager to Operations and Logistics Chief within a FEMA-recognized nationally recognized Incident Command System.

    It was during this period of public service that Dr. Payne earned recognition as a finalist for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Phoenix Award for her leadership during a regional earthquake recovery—a role that solidified her ability to stabilize and rebuild organizations under pressure. Dr. Payne has since successfully transitioned her expertise into education, where she specializes in applying statistical triangulation and advanced research methodology to drive institutional change. She remains active as a guest lecturer in doctoral-level research, ensuring that her leadership remains deeply informed by both current academic inquiry and real-world operational experience.

    A cum laude graduate of UC Berkeley and an All-American athlete, Dr. Payne also holds a Certificate in School Change Management and Leadership from Harvard University and is a Certified Compliance & Ethics Professional. She is a proud military mother and dedicated student advocate who fosters a sense of institutional belonging through active engagement in campus life. Outside the office, she is an avid hiker and lifelong learner, eager to participate in the Kenai Peninsula’s outdoor traditions, from community gardening to fly fishing.

  Comment Period is Now Closed

   

KPC Director Search Committee Appointed:

• Carrie Couey (Director of Administrative Services, KPC), Co-Chair
• Dennis Humphrey (Director, Prince William Sound College), Co-Chair
• Brian Partridge (Interim Director, KPC)
• Jane Fuerstenau (Interim Director for Academic Affairs, KPC)
• Heidi Biskeborn (KPC Learning Center Director)
• Ali Ahmadi (KPC Faculty)
• Tina Hamlin (KPC Student Representative)
• Aaron Dotson (UAA Vice Chancellor of Research)
• Marci Lea, (KPC Faculty)
• Jeff Meyers (KBC Faculty)
• Kim Frost (ETILD Lead)
• Rusty King (KPC Director of Maintenance and Facilities)

Director Search Underway

Kenai Peninsula College (KPC), an essential community campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), stands as a vibrant and innovative institution dedicated to meeting the educational and workforce needs of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula and beyond. With a service area spanning over 25,000 square miles—including the Kenai Peninsula Borough and Anchorage—KPC is committed to expanding access and opportunity for a diverse student population.

KPC operates across multiple locations: the Kenai River Campus in Soldotna, the Kachemak Bay Campus in Homer, the Resurrection Bay Extension Site in Seward and the Anchorage Extension Site. These facilities collectively offer over 260,000 square feet of learning space, including a recently reopened residence hall on the Kenai River Campus, providing students with a supportive and engaging on-campus living experience.

As a dual mission educational entity, KPC is uniquely positioned to provide both university transfer pathways and career-focused training. Students can pursue most University of Alaska degrees right here on the Kenai Peninsula, whether they are beginning their higher education journey or seeking to advance their careers. Alongside traditional academic programs, KPC offers robust career and technical education, with hands-on training in fields such as welding, instrumentation, process technology, paramedicine, and certified nursing assistance—programs designed to meet the evolving needs of Alaska’s industries and communities.

KPC’s impact is reflected in its numbers: In Spring 2025, KPC enrolled 2,431 students who completed 11,448 credit hours. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the college awarded 19 Occupational Endorsement Certificates, 9 Undergraduate Certificates, 38 associate degrees (AA, AAS), and 41 GEDs. The college employs 228 dedicated faculty and staff, including 28 full-time faculty, 74 full- and part-time staff, 93 adjunct faculty, 15 temporary staff, and 18 student employees.

At the helm of KPC is the Director, who serves as the chief executive officer of the college, overseeing all aspects of its operations and representing both KPC and UAA to internal and external stakeholders. Reporting directly to the UAA Chancellor, the Director works closely with the Provost, Vice Chancellors, and Deans, providing visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight to ensure KPC’s mission and goals are achieved. The Director is responsible for advancing and supporting UAA’s Strategic Plans and institutional priorities, fostering a culture of innovation and academic excellence, and serving as the primary budget authority for KPC’s $17.7 million annual budget.

As the primary advocate for KPC within the broader UAA structure, the Director ensures that the college’s diverse programs and initiatives remain responsive to both local community needs and university-wide objectives. The Director champions KPC’s commitment to accessible education and workforce development by cultivating strong partnerships with industry, government, tribal, school district, and community organizations, and by supporting faculty and staff in delivering high-quality educational experiences to all students.