Recognized as a revolutionary figure in Alaskan politics, education, and reform, Barbara Allison Haney, PhD, has distinguished herself as an authority in her spheres for more than three decades. Initially serving as an educator in the continental United States, she was a faculty member at such prestigious institutions as Eastern Illinois University, St. Mary’s College, the University of Notre Dame, and Washington State University. Following these appointments, Dr. Haney was appointed as the director of the Center for Economic Education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1991, thereby spearheading her professional career in the areas of political and educational reform.
While in Alaska, Dr. Haney stood at the helm of various programs designed to improve Alaskan educational systems through which she began working on a pioneering idea of publicly funded homeschool programs through correspondence. While working toward this endeavor, she established the foundation formula that has since been used to fund overall education initiatives in the state of Alaska, including writing legislation that instituted parental rights in Alaskan statutes. Since departing from these assignments, Dr. Haney has lent her expertise to politics, having served as an assemblywoman in the Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) and a legislative research staff member to the Alaska Legislature, including for former Senator Lora Reinbold and for Representative Mike Prax. She is currently a member of the FNSB assembly, in which she is fighting for lower taxes and a smaller, more efficient government. For the past two years, Dr. Haney has chaired the Regional Emergency Services Committee and served as a member of the Finance Committee.
Throughout her career, Dr. Haney has thrived in campaigns, having been a consultant for the Fairbanks Coordinated Campaign Office in 2010 and vice chairperson of the Goldenheart GOP from 2012 to 2013. She has also made significant impacts as the founder of Alaskans Against Common Core since 2013 and a researcher at a private practice since 2014. Prior to these positions, Dr. Haney was an instructor at Adult Learning Programs of Alaska between 2007 and 2010. Impressively, she was a member of the group to preserve the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend.
Notably, Dr. Haney has collaborated with various citizen groups, including the Interior Taxpayer Association, the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, the North Pole Chamber of Commerce, Commonwealth North, and the Grange. Likewise, she has served on the executive board of the Fairbanks Republic Woman and House District 33. During her earliest years in Alaska, she worked with local citizen groups to institute a cap on local revenue, which aided the groups in reducing the size and scope of their governments. Additionally, she is in the process of helping property owners retain their civil rights. Contributing her expertise to various publications as well, Dr. Haney has written for the Anchorage Daily News and numerous academic journals.
To prepare for her career, Dr. Haney pursued a formal education, first attending Eastern Illinois University and earning a Bachelor of Arts in economics, political science, and speech communication in 1982. She subsequently earned her first Doctor of Philosophy in public policy analysis and her second in economics and public finance, both from the University of Notre Dame in 1989. She has since remained a member of the Notre Dame Alumni Association.
Although she has experienced many career achievements, Dr. Haney is particularly gratified by her endeavors in revolutionizing Alaskan education, and her most prominent contribution to the industry has been her educational formula that eliminated the politics of funding education. Looking toward the future, she aims to continue working on education reform and property rights throughout Alaska. Ultimately, she would like to enact fiscal solvency to the state for their long-term economic plans.