Congratulations, Margie!

Margie Thomson, UAS Coordinator for Disability and Counseling Services and the Safe Zone Coordinator, will be receiving the Mildred Boesser Equal Rights Award for her work with a transgender support group.

Thank you for all the work you do to support UAS students and the LGBTQ+ community. We are so proud of you, Margie. 🐳💙

Come walk with UAS in the 4th of July parade!

We'd love to have your support to:
⭐ walk, ride, bike or skip behind the float--bring your friends!
⭐ hand out candy, stickers, tattoos, and buttons during the parade
⭐ wave UA Strong signs and hand out #uastrong swag

*Volunteers get free UA/UAS swag, as well as a cool t-shirt to march with, in the parade!!

If you're interested in volunteering, please contact Angie Steeves (796-6565) or Kayti Coonjohn (790-6050).

*UAS Press Release*

UAS Students Learn to Use Drones for Environmental Research

Dr. Christian Kienholz, UAS Research Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Dr. Gabriel Wolken from the Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center (AK CASC) recently taught the class “Using Drones for Environmental Monitoring” to students at the University of Alaska (UAS). Dr. Eran Hood, a Professor of Environmental Science & Geography at the university and the UAS liaison with AK CASC, helped organize the class. In the week-long course, the students planned and conducted several drone campaigns for aerial mapping. The main class project focused on the rapidly evolving fluvial erosion of the Mendenhall River above Juneau’s Brotherhood Bridge. Students were tasked to use drone-derived maps to determine recent and potential future rates of erosion in the area.

The class was funded through AK CASC’s Suicide Basin outburst flood project and offered through UAS. Students planned and conducted several drone campaigns, which required learning how to optimize camera and drone settings for the project. Students were taught a technique known as Structure-From-Motion Photogrammetry, which was then applied to model surface topography from photos captured during drone flights. They were also taught how to use high accuracy GPS equipment to survey ground control points needed to improve the accuracy of drone-derived surface models.

“It was rewarding to teach students a range of new skills and to let them apply these skills to real-world problems. I think the course gave students a taste of the work conducted in an environmental consulting firm,” said Kienholz. He emphasized how he appreciated to teach the field component of the class right in the backyard of the university, using a local problem for the student project. Dr. Kienholz’ appointment as a Research Professor at UAS is through the Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center (ACRC), a collaborative organization led by UAS that links the University of Alaska system with state, federal, & local agencies and non-governmental organizations.

UAS works regularly to share research with several agencies in Juneau, including the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). CBJ Emergency Programs Manager Tom Mattice, who regularly works with Kienholz and Hood remarked, “CBJ is grateful for the university's research and use of cutting edge tools like drones, helping the city manage issues like the Suicide Basin glacier lake outburst flood and using tree core data to help prepare for avalanches.”

UAS supports a wide array of collaborative research activities with various organizations. These include the Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center, the Alaska Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), the Alaska Climate Science Center, and SEALAB -- The UAS Spatial Ecosystem Analysis Lab, to name a few. Learn more about environmental science studies at UAS by visiting uas.alaska.edu/apply/programs/environmental-science.html or by speaking to an advisor at 907-796-6100.

Read the full press release: https://loom.ly/j2TWDUM
Photo Credit: Molly Tankersley

We’ve been named as the top LGBTQ-Friendly School for Alaska by the Campus Pride Index!
🏳️‍🌈🎉🏳️‍🌈🎉🏳️‍🌈🎉
The ranking is based on several criteria, including housing and residential life resources, and availability of counseling and support groups for LGBTQ+ students, where counseling staff all receive trans-inclusive training.
⭐ UAS offers the Safe Zone Training to staff, faculty, and student employees every semester. Safe Zone training creates a visible community of support on campus with a goal of eliminating discrimination and to provide a safer and freer campus community regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Learn more: http://www.uas.alaska.edu/juneau/activities/safezone/
⭐ UAS offers roommate matching so students can find LGBTQ+-friendly roommates, gender-inclusive on-campus housing, and gender-inclusive restroom facilities. Residence staff are trained in LGBTQ+ issues to provide a safer environment for LGBTQ+ students living on campus. Learn more: http://uas.alaska.edu/juneau/housing/index.html

*UAS Press Release*

UAS Named Most LGBTQ-Friendly College in Alaska for 2019

For 2019, the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) has been named as the top LGBTQ-Friendly School for Alaska by the Campus Pride Index. In partnership with Campus Pride, BestColleges.com released its rankings for LGBTQ students in recognition and celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month. These rankings help students of various sexual identities and gender find institutions that provide inclusivity and quality in their educational endeavors.

The ranking is based on several criteria, including housing and residential life resources, like roommate matching so students can find LGBTQ+-friendly roommates, gender-inclusive on-campus housing, and gender-inclusive restroom facilities. Residence staff are trained in LGBTQ+ issues to provide a safer environment for LGBTQ+ students living on campus.

UAS also received high marks for its availability of counseling and support groups for LGBTQ+ students, where counseling staff all receive trans-inclusive training. One of those activities is Safe Zone Training, offered each semester, which has trained over 200 staff, faculty and student employees in the past three years. Safe Zone training creates a visible community of support on campus with a goal of eliminating discrimination and to provide a safer and freer campus community regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. UAS also hosts a Transgender Support Group, a Campus Inclusivity Alliance, and Green Dot training for faculty, staff, and students. It has a Care Team that supports student success and well-being, including for the LGBTQ+ community.

UAS includes LGBTQ+-specific course offerings as part of its curriculum. The university also provides an accessible process for students to change their gender identity in university records. The university encourages employment of LGBTQ+ faculty and staff members to create an inclusive environment in the classroom and across campus.

In recent years, UAS has hosted an annual Power and Privilege Symposium each November, which consistently has included topics and perspectives from the LGBTQ+ community. Past presenters at the Symposium have included the parents of Matthew Shepard, and also a presentation on gender diversity by Aiden Key, a member of the transgender community who grew up in Juneau.

Chancellor Rick Caulfield commented, “We are proud of the work our staff and faculty do to show support for all students, and especially those of the LGBTQ+ community. I’m very pleased that UAS has been identified as Alaska’s Most LGBTQ-Friendly School because of our demonstrated commitment to inclusivity. It is appropriate that we celebrate these efforts in June as Pride Month, but we recognize that these activities and more continue to be important on our campuses throughout the year.”

Learn more about campus life at the University of Alaska Southeast by visiting uas.alaska.edu, or by speaking to an advisor at 907-796-6100.

Read the full press release: https://loom.ly/4uxqzNY

*updated*

Happy Pride Month!

"We are proud of the work our staff and faculty do to show support for all students, and especially those of the LGBTQ+ community.

UAS strives to be affirming and inclusive for all students through programming activities, classroom presentations, counseling and support groups." - Chancellor Richard Caulfield

UAS strives to be affirming and inclusive for all students through programming activities, classroom presentations, counseling, and support groups." - Chancellor

Interesting in learning more about the resources mentioned in Chancellor Caulfield’s video message? Learn more by visiting:
Safe Zone: http://www.uas.alaska.edu/juneau/activities/safezone/
Campus Inclusivity Alliance: http://www.uas.alaska.edu/juneau/activities/clubs/index.html
The Care Team: http://www.uas.alaska.edu/students/careteam/index.html
Power & Privilege Symposium: http://www.uas.alaska.edu/chancellor/power-and-privilege-symposium.html

What makes summer life in Juneau so unique?

UAS Associate Professor, Lora Vess invites you to examine summer life through a sociological perspective in the short course, SOC 375 | Sociology of Juneau in July.

COURSE INFO:
Starts June 24!
2-5 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays
3 credits, no prerequisites
6-week course (plenty of time for 🏕🎣🚵! )
⭐BONUS: Field trips⭐
Learn more and register at uaonline.alaska.edu!

“Sociology is fascinating because once you develop a sociological imagination or perspective, all aspects of the social world become available for investigation. “ - Lora Vess

VIDEO CREDIT: Magic of Juneau expertly captured by @TravelJuneau!

*UAS Press Release*

UAS and Juneau School District Renew Partnership Focusing on Student Success

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) and Juneau School District (JSD) recently renewed their partnership to support sustained collaboration for improving student achievement, honoring a long-term relationship that builds a pre-Kindergarten to post-secondary system of educational excellence in the Juneau community. UAS Chancellor Rick Caulfield joined JSD Superintendent Dr. Bridget Weiss in signing the new agreement, which extends to June 2021. The agreement builds on prior collaboration and success in improving JSD college readiness, and also includes several new initiatives.

UAS Chancellor Rick Caulfield notes, “We are very pleased to extend this cooperative agreement with Superintendent Weiss and the Juneau School District for the benefit of our students and our community. Our prior collaboration led to significant improvement in JSD students being college-ready in key areas. This agreement will help continue that trend and contribute to more high school graduates achieving success at the college level.”

Read the full press release: https://loom.ly/oKX6PL0

Photo (left to right): Dr. Steve Atwater, Executive Dean of the Alaska College of Education, Dr. Rick Caulfield, UAS Chancellor, Dr. Bridget Weiss, JSD Superintendent, and Ms. Ronalda Cadiente Brown, Associate Vice Chancellor for Alaska Native Programs and Director of PITAAS.
Photo Credit: Seanna O'Sullivan

Three reasons to take Sociology in Juneau in July with Lora Vess:
1️⃣SHORT! Just 6 weeks of classes. So there's still time for 🏕🎣🚵!
2️⃣Explore summer life in Juneau through a sociological perspective!
3️⃣Field trips!

SOC 375 | Sociology of Juneau in July
2-5 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays
3 credits, no prerequisites
Summer Short Course: Only 6 weeks, June 24 - August 3, so there's still time for 🏕🎣🚵!
Learn more and register at uaonline.alaska.edu!
⭐BONUS: Field trips!!!⭐

Video Credit: Robie Janes. Thank you for creating this glimpse into the magic of summer in Juneau and for sharing your work with UAS.

https://youtu.be/4EnAysvb-xU?t=126

“Kate provides outreach to rural communities of our region and works to bring access to the more remote communities served by UAS. Kate has a great mind for thinking about systems, institution-wide issues, efficiency, and services, all with the student experience in mind.”
- Nominator
⭐
Kate Govaars, Arts & Sciences Outreach Advisor
2019 Staff Excellence Award recipient
⭐
Congrats, Kate!
⭐
The Staff Excellence award recognizes four recipients (two in Juneau, and one each in Sitka and Ketchikan) for outstanding service to the UAS Community, and toward accomplishing and enhancing the UAS mission.

In summer, Juneau receives over a million visitors and hundreds of summer workers fill the community!

In the short course, SOC 375 | Sociology of Juneau in July, Lora Vess, Associate Professor of Sociology examines how tourists and workers experience and value Juneau and how the longer days of summer influence the behavior of Juneauites. The course also examines the Juneau / Douglas Fourth of July festivities; food production, fishing, and harvesting; and the rich cultures and environment of our region.

COURSE INFO:
Starts June 24!
2-5 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays
3 credits, no prerequisites
6-week course (plenty of time for 🏕🎣🚵! )
⭐BONUS: Field trips⭐

Learn more and register at uaonline.alaska.edu!

Explore the "Juneau things that make YOU go whoa" through a sociological perspective with Lora Vess, Associate Professor of Sociology in the short course, SOC 375 | Sociology of Juneau in July.

Starts June 24!
2-5 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays
3 credits, no prerequisites
6-week course (plenty of time for 🏕🎣🚵! )
⭐BONUS: Field trips⭐

Learn more and register at uaonline.alaska.edu!

CREDIT: @TravelJuneau and 📸 magichourtravelscapes

“Eric is invaluable in his knowledge of so many different aspects of admissions and recruiting. Amidst leadership transitions he remains the longest serving employee in this department and continues to provide leadership and direction. He is a thorough and knowledgeable resource for so many of us!” - Nominator
⭐
Eric Lingle, Database Coordinator
2019 Staff Excellence Award recipient
⭐
The Staff Excellence award recognizes four recipients (two in Juneau, and one each in Sitka and Ketchikan) for outstanding service to the UAS Community, and toward accomplishing and enhancing the UAS mission.

“Alison’s helpful and positive attitude is one of her greatest strengths and has allowed her to successfully build relationships with UAS staff and faculty across departments and campuses. There probably isn’t a person on campus she hasn’t assisted. Her door is always open and her phone is always answered. She doesn't simply tell people walking around campus where a building is, she walks with them to ensure they arrive at the desired destination. These are just a few of the ways Alison has shown dedication to her job. Alison consistently goes above and beyond to support UAS marketing. She’s always open to collaboration with other departments and rarely says no to a project request.” - Jennifer Gross, Colin Osterhout, and Katy Jordan
⭐
Alison Krein, Creative Manager
2019 Staff Excellence Award recipient
⭐
Congrats, Alison!
⭐
The Staff Excellence award recognizes four recipients (two in Juneau, and one each in Sitka and Ketchikan) for outstanding service to the UAS Community, and toward accomplishing and enhancing the UAS mission.

Have you ever stopped to think about what makes summer in Juneau so unique?

Explore summer life in Juneau through a sociological perspective with Lora Vess, Associate Professor of Sociology in the short course, Sociology of Juneau in July (SOC 375).

COURSE INFO:
Starts June 24!
2-5 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays
3 credits, no prerequisites
6-week course (plenty of time for 🏕🎣🚵! )
⭐BONUS: Field trips⭐

Learn more and register at uaonline.alaska.edu!

Credit for the spectacular video goes to Travel Juneau. Thanks!

At Sitka WhaleFest science symposium and festival, students experience career inspiration and renewed motivation for STEM coursework at a critical juncture in their college careers. Check out the video on this exciting opportunity.

🐳🐳🐳

Learn more about the University of Alaska Southeast Biology and Marine Biology programs: http://uas.alaska.edu/apply/programs/biology-marine-biology.html

Sitka WhaleFest: http://sitkawhalefest.org/
Sitka Sound Science Center: https://sitkascience.org/
Videography by Pioneer Studios: https://pioneerstudios.org

Congratulations, Aspen, Evan, and Eleanor!

⭐⭐⭐

2019 Outstanding Student Academic Award Recipient
Aspen Daigle, Homer, AK
B.L.A.

“Aspen Daigle, from Homer, created an independent design Bachelor of Liberal Arts for Spanish and Psychology and planned a year of study at the Universidad de Guanajuato in Mexico. She took all upper-division classes in Spanish, and her favorite was a course in sociolinguistics. Aspen plans to pursue a career in elementary education.”
- Andrea Dewees, Associate Professor of Spanish

⭐⭐⭐

2019 Outstanding Student Academic Award Recipient
Evan L. Carnahan
B.S. Mathematics

“Evan Carnahan graduated from UAS with a B.S. degree in Mathematics Magna Cum Laude. In addition to getting excellent grades in his courses, he also engaged in undergraduate research and was a member of Pi Mu Epsilon which is a national honor society dedicated to the promotion of mathematics and recognition of students who successfully pursue mathematical understanding. His capstone project was titled “Developing a simplified model for glacier dynamics” and was presented in both the Mathematics seminar and the UAS Art Meets Science Symposium. In addition, during his senior year, Evan completed a directed research project that involved modelling future changes in runoff from watersheds with receding glaciers. His work on this project led to a peer-reviewed publication with UAS faculty Jason Amundson and Eran Hood entitled "Impact of glacier loss and vegetation succession on annual basin runoff” in the journal Hydrology and Earth System Sciences. His future plans include graduate school at the University of Texas Austin in the Department of Geological Sciences.”
- Eran Hood, Professor of Environmental Science & Brian Blitz, Professor of Mathematics

⭐⭐⭐

2019 Outstanding Student Academic Award Recipient
Eleanor I. Burgess
B.A. Social Science

“Eleanor is one of the most outstanding students I have had at UAS. When she started studies at UAS and took the two-semester World History survey, Eleanor was a responsible, hard working student, but a bit blown away by everything she was learning. Over the years, I have seen her develop into one of the best intellects in my courses — in HIST 370 Modern European Intellectual History, HIST 380 History of Gender & Sexuality, HIST 375 Current Topics: The Modern Woman in Global Perspective. Eleanor's difference as a student: she works hard to puzzle through historiographic, theoretical, and interpretive articles, and then weaves them into the course content in her essays and presentations. She is one of the best students I have had at UAS that I would highly recommend to continue academic studies at the graduate level.”
- Robin Walz, Professor of History

“Amelia is a caring, talented, and giving Advisor. She routinely works with students at all levels of their academic career, whether new or returning, and also adjuncts a number of courses. She assists faculty and staff looking to forge more meaningful connections with students, and often volunteers her time to support student-centered committees and staff trainings. She has also served as a valued liaison between her office and our grant staff.” - Michael Mausbach
⭐
Amelia Budd, Academic Advisor
2019 Staff Excellence Award recipient
⭐
Congrats, Amelia!
⭐
The Staff Excellence award recognizes four recipients (two in Juneau, and one each in Sitka and Ketchikan) for outstanding service to the UAS Community, and toward accomplishing and enhancing the UAS mission.

Congratulations, Sonni!
⭐️
2019 Outstanding Student Academic Award Recipient
Sonni Nicole Cottrell Suson, Juneau, AK
A.A.S. Business Administration, General Business
⭐️
"I was very fortunate that I was able to take classes at UAS after moving here, and I have had the good fortune to meet some wonderful people including staff, professors, and other students. I've been a strictly online student (with one exception), even though the campus is only a couple of miles from my home. Working full time doesn't allow for much active-student time! The one exception to my online student career is the one thing that really made my time at UAS stand out, which was when I took the ceramics courses both this past semester and the one prior. This class had one of the biggest impacts on me, even though my studies were not remotely art related (business), but it made the biggest difference nonetheless. There is something very blissful about being able to make wonderful things while also being able to take in the sights of mountains and water. Being able to work with clay and see these beautiful sights on the daily... it just really rekindled my love of making things with my hands and it helped me to really appreciate the beauty of the world around me. That's not to say that finally graduating and getting my Associates didn't have a monumental impact on me, too! It's been a long journey, and even though I hated it sometimes, it was worth it. " - Sonni

*UAS Press Release*

Lori Klein Selected as UAS Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

The University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Lori Klein as the new Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs (EMSA). Klein assumes the new role on June 10.

Lori Klein has lived in Juneau since 1996, has over 15 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, and most recently held the position of Title IX Coordinator at UAS. She holds a Master of Science in Education with an emphasis on College Student Personnel, from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse.

Regarding this transition Klein said, “I love UAS. It has been my professional home for many years now, and I’m delighted to continue serving students in this new capacity.”

Read the full press release: https://loom.ly/YtdOW2Y

Did you see our UAS student bingo? ⠀
Staff and faculty were pretty busy this year too! ⠀
Check out the UAS Bingo — Staff & Faculty Edition in the Instagram Story. Be sure to tag @uasoutheast!

*UAS Press Release*

Chancellor’s and Dean’s Lists — Spring 2019 Semester

UAS Chancellor Rick Caulfield, Dean Tom Thornton of the School of Arts & Sciences, Dean Pete Traxler of the School of Career and Technical Education, and Executive Dean Steve Atwater of the Alaska College of Education are proud to recognize students for their scholarly achievements.

Students on the Dean's or Chancellor's list are undergraduates admitted to a certificate or degree program at UAS. Eligibility is based on a minimum of 12 credits of graded (letter grades A, B, C, D and F) course work for the semester through the UA system. Honors calculations were prevented for students with incomplete grades or non-submitted grades.

Dean’s List students are recognized for achieving a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.99 during the Spring 2019 semester. Chancellor’s List students are recognized for achieving a grade point average of 4.0 during the Spring 2019 semester.

View the Chancellor’s and Dean’s Lists: https://loom.ly/yEUDuYE