We’re gonna take a look at life on campus, the residence halls, and where UAF students spend some time, get coffee, and just hang out. To tell us more, let me introduce, Moody. Moody knows what it’s like to live, work, and play at UAF. They’re a resident of the Moore-Bartlett-Skarland Housing Complex, have a campus job, and are a leader for student advocacy. Over to you, Moody.
– Hi, everyone. Alex gave such a groovy description of me. There is nothing else left to say. Just kidding. Being honest, I first started attending UAF purely due to location. It was conveniently nearby. However, this turned out to be most serendipitous. The people and programs here at UAF have given me a real sense of belonging. Growing up, I had a bogus home life. And when I left, I left knowing that it was permanent. But UAF has given me a place to call home and has put me in touch with many excellent people I’m proud to call my family. As a non-binary student and creatively-motivated person, being a UAF resident has been wonderful. I’m perpetually motivated by my peers and mentors alike to challenge myself daily. A feat made possible by Americanos and snacks from our college campus cafe, Arctic Java. I make new friends daily and I never run out of anything to do. For example, I’m the club president of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance Club. I’m a member of the Nanook Diversity and Action Center which hosts programs for and celebrates marginalized students. And am also a member of the Nanook Grown Program that teaches residents how to grow their own vegetables. Residence Life also has Learning Living communities which unites students of similar backgrounds and shared values. There are people here to help you within the residence halls and hold programs that appeal to everyone. My days are packed with fun, unique experiences, and at the end of each day, I’m happy to kick back and relax in my cozy dorm. I never would’ve pictured myself surrounded by countless friends, or having a role in so many programs that provide resources to those in need. All right, as much as I love talking about myself, that’s enough for me. Alex, pass the spotlight.
Thank you, Moody. It’s so great that you found your place at UAF. That’s important. At UAF’s campus community, it’s a home away from home for over 400 student residents. Living Learning communities, clubs, and activities are ways that students can form friendships that last a lifetime.
It’s no secret that research is a big deal here. UAF’s location is well situated for arctic and climate research. But no matter what your major is, you’ll have opportunities to go outside the classroom and dig deeper into tomorrow’s challenges. Caitlynn’s here to share some of the ways that students can participate in research, including some of her own. Over to you, Caitlynn.
– Quyanaq, Alex. I’ll take it from here. As introduced, my name is Caitlynn. I now want to introduce myself in Inupiaq, my native language. I chose to attend UAF to stay near my home and attend the best engineering program in Alaska. Here at UAF, there are great opportunities for undergraduate students to participate in research. We have BLaST which provides mentored biomedical research experiences. The Climate Scholars Program offers undergraduate students from all majors an opportunity to study the effects of the changing climate within their area of study. Lastly, URSA, the Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Activity office provides funding and mentorship for students to complete their own research and attend scientific conferences. With the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program, we have weekly meetings to meet different professionals in STEM, and host study groups. As a senior, I was a research fellow with the Arctic Domain Awareness Center, and worked on the Arctic Facilities and Infrastructure Environmental Change Risk Index. The index was created for the US Coast Guard to help them assess facilities under their purview. I presented this project at an URSA Research and Scholarly Activity Day. With this research group, I even traveled to Utqiagvik for a week. I received my bachelor’s degree here, and decided to continue my education for a master’s. As a graduate student, I’m working on a research project to determine the possible negative impact of permafrost degradation on the water quality of the Wulik River, a river in my region. While at UAF, I made the most of the resources granted to me. I’m now empowering native Alaskans, and working to incorporate traditional knowledge into my research. That’s it from me. Back to you, Alex.
Thanks, Caitlin. 36% of UAF bachelor students complete a research thesis or honors project before graduation. UAF is preparing the next generation of leaders and problem solvers by giving students hands-on experience in research teams and internships, working on real-world projects. That is amazing. Take care.
Collegiate sports are a core part of every university. UAF boasts a Division One hockey team as well as men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, running, and skiing, volleyball, swimming, and rifle teams. UAF’s rifle team holds 10 NCAA championship victories. We’re gonna hear from Harrison, one of Nanook’s athletic star hockey players. Passing the puck to you, Harrison.
– Thanks, Alex. And hello, everyone. I’m super stoked to be here with y’all. Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed about playing Division One hockey. When the University of Alaska Fairbanks recruited me, I knew it was gonna be an amazing fit. I’ve been given the opportunity to achieve my goal of being a professional hockey player, as well as earn a degree in Business Administration. Here at UAF, the endless resources provided to student athletes is next to none. With extra tutoring, personal advisors, and flexible schedules, we have everything we need to succeed in our sport and the classroom. Being in Alaska gives our athletic department a unique position. We travel across the USA and play schools from all over. Just last year, our hockey team played Maine, Colorado, Arizona, and Minnesota, just to name a few. UAF also provides a great experience at home. We have a huge fan base from the town of Fairbanks who show up screaming at our home games. With all this support, it’s no wonder all our teams have so much success from men’s and women’s basketball, and cross country, to rifle, and Nordic skiing. UAF’s athletic teams are very close. Our Student Athlete Advisory Committee host events that include the entire athletic student body. Being at UAF has taught me many valuable lessons I will continue to take with me after my career here is done. After I’m done here, I hope to sign a professional hockey contract and play for as long as I can. Also, having my degree in Business Administration makes me feel confident in anything I want to do post my hockey career. I’ll always recommend other athletes, especially hockey players, to take a strong look at UAF. We’re definitely doing something special up here. Thank you for your time, and back to you, Alex.
– Thanks, Harrison. UAF student athletes are something to cheer about on the ice, court, trails, range, pool, and in the classroom. That was awesome. Thanks again.
Leaving home to go to college is exciting but can also be overwhelming. And UAF Rural Student Services, or RSS, supports students making their transition from living in rural Alaskan communities to Fairbanks. Cultural programming and activities help make home not seem so far away. Canaar is from Nelson Island near Bethel, Alaska, studying rural development at UAF. Tell us more about it, Canaar.
– Cama’i, everyone. “Cama’i,” means, “Hello,” in my Yup’ik language, a native Alaskan language. When I was looking for a university, I had asked people where they prefer to go to school at, and they had mentioned the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Ever since then, I’m happy I chose to attend UAF. Our Rural Development Program has helped students gain new skills like strategic planning, that will be useful for my planning career to give back to rural Alaska. The Indigenous Studies Program also helps students to know more about the history of Alaska, and why we are here to this day. There’s so many fun things to learn in these programs. I’m happy I’m able to meet new people from in and out of Alaska while I’m attending the university in Fairbanks. The programs at the Rural Student Services are fun to be in and it makes me meet new lifelong friends from rural Alaska. Another favorite thing about RSS is they sometimes serve native food, and it helps me cure my cravings to eat native food like moose soup or muktuk. I love how we are able to form our own community at UAF where it makes me feel at home and makes me less homesick. When I first left my village, Toksook Bay, Alaska, to attend the UAF, I did not expect to learn so much from my program, the social life, and meet so many people. This has been the best experience I’ve had so far and I’m looking forward to making more memories. That’s my story. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Canaar. One-fifth of UAF students are Alaska Native or American Indian, and UAF is committed to partnering with indigenous communities to preserve the diverse languages, culture, and traditions unique to Alaska.
About one-fifth of UAF students are in some way affiliated with the military or our veterans. That’s a lot. Student veterans, active duty service members, and their families have extra support at UAF. Jasmine is an army veteran and reservist, but also a full-time student. Jasmine, please share a little bit about what it’s like to be a student veteran at UAF.
– Thank you, Alex. Hi, everyone. Meet my corgi, Zero. I was born in Minnesota but grew up in Manila, Philippines. Being a first-generation American, I knew I wanted to be independent, to serve, and be part of something bigger. I left the comfort of my home and enlisted in the US Army. I discovered how much I enjoy medicine and aviation, and transferred my credits from an international university in military training into the University of Alaska Fairbanks. I love how UAF is a military-friendly university. It’s easy to find services on base at Fort Wainwright through the education center, and getting my academic transcripts transferred over is a breeze. I took courses online towards my degree when we deployed to Iraq. I had helpful instructors and understanding advisors. I recently transitioned out of active duty and into the reserves. The advisors and staff of the Department of Military and Veterans Services were always there to help me. The campus offers military and veteran services like the Green to Gold Program. This program offers enlisted soldiers the opportunity to earn a commission as an army officer. The campus includes ROTC, and provides one-on-one assistance in understanding your benefits, like the tuition assistance and the GI Bill. It can be difficult to adjust from military to civilian life, but the university boasts superb facilities and professionals who 100% support their students. Some of them have been in prior service too, and understand what it takes. I dream of going back into the military service as a pilot physician. For now, I’m grateful to be a Nanook. Whether you are currently serving, about to deploy, or are a veteran ready to continue or pursue higher education, University of Alaska Fairbanks is definitely a top choice. That is all. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Jasmine. UAF is proud to have earned and maintained the military-friendly distinction, and offers resident tuition, flexible online degree programs, education benefit advising, and more for military and veteran students, and their families. That’s incredible. Take care.
Life on campus is more than hitting the books. At UAF, there are over a hundred student clubs, and more than 400 activities taking place here every year. From eSports to karaoke, there’s something for everyone. Like most UAF students, Riley is an active member of the campus community. Riley, tell us more about the ways to get involved at UAF.
– Thanks for the warm introduction, Alex. Originally, I had intended on a different college, but a last minute housing mixup changed my fate and I came here to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. I felt the only way to have a positive college experience was to leave my home state of Alaska, but I was quickly proven wrong. One of my favorite things about UAF is how easy it is to get involved on campus. If I could give one piece of advice to incoming students, it would be to put yourself out there and get involved, no matter how intimidating it might be. I have been able to experience many aspects of UAF through the activities I have joined, such as the Honors program, UAF Theater, our student government, the Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and multiple student jobs around campus, like our Student Conduct Office and campus pub. Not only have these opportunities equipped me with the knowledge and experience to make a difference within my community, but beyond my university as well. UAF is one of a kind in many ways but especially in how easy it is to become immersed in our tight-knit community. From traveling to the Alaska State Capitol to lobby as student body president to participating in multiple theater productions, I’ve had so many incredible experiences, all thanks to the student life here at UAF. Through the experiences I’ve had, I’ve met lifelong friends, made connections to establish my future career path, and had so much fun in the process. I truly feel that I have flourished here at UAF, and that you can too. That’s all I’ve got. Back to you, Alex.
– Thank you, Riley. Those are just some of the ways to get involved. Nanook traditions include Starvation Gulch, the annual fall bonfire contest, Winter Carnival, and SpringFest. It sounds like there’s no shortage of fun in the sun and snow at UAF.
Few places in the world are as beautiful and majestic as Alaska. And Fairbanks, in the heart of the state, is no exception. The Chena River flows right through this town with ties to the Gold Rush. Campus sits overlooking the Tanana Valley, right on the edge of the wilderness. But that’s only one reason to love Fairbanks. Let’s meet Nolan, a Performing Arts major who’s from Fairbanks, Alaska. So he’s the perfect person to tell us more about this incredible location. Nolan, please take it away.
– Hello, hello. From a young age, I was always running wild with my love for cross country running and skiing. Here at UAF, it’s no different. I’m still that kid running wild, trying new things. Only now, I’m able to run for UAF. One of the most important parts of UAF for me is the people. Everyone carries a unique story because if you live in Fairbanks, Alaska, you’ve got a good reason why. I know a lot of people, including myself, that are drawn in towards the meditative atmosphere that surrounds Fairbanks. The distant mountains, the quiet nights, the spacious forests. The hill that our campus sits on is called, Troth Yeddha’, which means, “Wild potato hill,” in the Lower Tanana Dena language. Surrounding us are extensive trails like this one, that stretch far beyond the campus and intertwine throughout the entire town. Just from my dorm, I can easily step onto trails that I’ve skied and run on since I was a little lad. UAF is an incredible place for unique travel experiences. Since joining UAF’s Climate Scholars, I’ve had the chance to travel to the Inian Islands off the coast of the Kenai Peninsula for a week long climate change intensive. The culture at UAF brings in a lot of creative and genuine people. As a Film and Performing Arts Major, my peers and I get to learn from a great group of faculty as we begin to hone our skills in directing, acting, writing, and more. This atmosphere is unique to Alaska, and can be unique in your college journey as well. Thank you for your time. Alex? It’s time I pass it back to you, good sir.
– Thank you, Nolan. You are right. As perfect as Fairbanks is, as unique a location and as dynamic as the seasons are, great people are what make the University of Alaska Fairbanks such a special place. Take care.
I’d like to introduce you to Kaitlin. She’s a senior in the pre-vet program with a dairy emphasis. Kaitlin’s immersed herself in research at Idaho and has recently participated in a pretty cool study on dairy cows through her professor’s lab. Let’s find out more. All yours, Kaitlin.
– Thanks, Alex. Growing up on a dairy farm in southern Idaho strongly influenced the qualities that I was looking for during my college search. I wanted to attend a university which would allow me to give back to the industry that shaped me into the person that I am today. The University of Idaho has allowed me to contribute to agriculture by participating in undergraduate research. I am currently working in a lactation physiology lab under Dr. Amy Skibiel. I have worked on four different projects with Dr. Skibiel, with my responsibilities ranging from performing RNA extractions and measuring mitochondrial area, to feeding lab rats and performing jugular blood draws on dairy cows. This summer, I completed an independent research project looking at the effects of wildfire smoke on Holstein dairy cows. I worked closely with a graduate student who was looking at the effects of smoke on free weaned Holstein heifer caps, which are female baby cows that are still being fed milk. We analyzed air quality and particulate matter data to analyze the smoke exposure on a given day. I monitored the respiration rates, body weights, and body condition scores of cows on a weekly basis. Additionally, I collected blood samples before, during, and after smoke events in order to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells and polymorph nuclear cells in order to quantify the expression of inflammatory genes. The wildfire project aims to assist producers in making their management techniques more effective and sustainable, and it’s not the only research that Idaho is doing on wildfire. Throughout all of the departments and colleges on campus, students have the opportunity to participate in research projects that are Idaho-focused, but have global impacts. In fact, nearly two thirds of the students on U of I’s campus are currently participating in research. Undergraduate research has prepared me to become a better industry professional and provided hands-on experience that will be beneficial as I apply to veterinary school this upcoming fall. Thank you for taking the time to listen to my dairy interesting research. Back to you, Alex.
– Kaitlin, what you are doing is so moving. That is some dairy exciting research and such a unique opportunity to be at a public institution where most undergrads are doing research. Thanks for sharing. I’m so impressed that U of I challenges students to not just work on dairy science, but push research to the next level, and study the science of wildfire smoke and how it affects our world. Absolutely incredible. Thanks, Kaitlin.
Let’s catch up with Sam. He’s a national merit scholar and Vandal track and field athlete from Montana, pursuing a degree in rangeland conservation with a minor in wildlife resources. He’s gonna tell us how he bombed the time to complete a study abroad. Run with it, Sam.
– Thanks, Alex. Hi, y’all. I can still remember being in middle school when I first learned about study abroad from a family friend. He’d just come back from a semester abroad and I decided I’m gonna do exactly what he did. That idea never left me and I’ve looked for opportunities to make it happen ever since. When I came to the University of Idaho, I continued to pursue the idea of studying abroad, but I couldn’t leave during the school year due to my commitment to the university’s track and cross-country team. Attending a first time info session with the study abroad department opened whole new doors for me. There are options to travel year round. I was introduced to a three-week summer program in South Africa where the learning takes place in the bush. Three weeks in South Africa to study wildlife and earn credit and camp out every night, I couldn’t sign up fast enough. The application through the university was a breeze and the study abroad department checked in frequently to help with anything I needed. After deciding to travel, my next thought was how am I going to finance this? It was a valid concern, but there were so many scholarships available to me that my largest expense seemed to have been souvenirs. The University of Idaho encourages study abroad and makes sure that everyone is able to take advantage of the opportunity. My time in South Africa was incredible. I experienced a whole new ecosystem, met incredible people, increased my understanding of wildlife, and made memories that I know will last a lifetime. None of that would’ve been possible without the people at the University of Idaho guiding me there. There’s a lot of world to see, but there needs to be a starting point to go see it. Why not the U of I? Back to you, Alex.
– Thanks for sharing how accessible the U of I makes education abroad, Sam. I love your story about your experience studying wildlife in the bush in South Africa and the perspective it gained you while you were there. Thanks again, Sam.
It’s time to meet Martha, a sophomore who always knew she was going to Idaho. She’s majoring in accounting, finance and economics, and she’s found leadership opportunities that will definitely compliment her education. Let’s find out how she’s making it all come together. You’re on, Martha.
– Hi, everyone. Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to attend the State’s Land Grant University. And now that I’m here, I can say with confidence that it’s the best decision that I could have made. The University of Idaho has given me ample opportunity to meet incredible people and drastically improve my leadership skills. There are so many ways to improve your leadership skills here at the University of Idaho. You can volunteer, join a club, captain intermural sports team, set up the concerts and events with Vandal Entertainment, or even become a resident assistant. The possibilities are endless. It’s amazing what’s out there. And coming from a small town, I knew I wanted somewhere with a strong support system. Being able to take advantage of the University of Idaho’s tight-knit community both academically and socially has been fantastic. I very seldom walk to class or the rec without seeing at least one person that I know. On campus, I’ve joined Gamma Pi Beta where I found friends that I’ll have for the rest of my life. And in my chapter, I serve on our executive council where I currently serve as financial vice president. In addition to my Greek life experience, I’m also a part of ASUI on campus, which is short for the Associated Students of the University of Idaho. I was elected as a senator and then I was later elected to be the pro tempore of the ASUI senate. The people I’ve met and the leadership experience that I’ve gained is immeasurable. After I graduate from the University of Idaho, I’d like to attend law school to practice real estate law. I’ve been a seller in real estate for about two years now and I look forward to continuing my education in that field. I feel very lucky to know that University of Idaho has given me ample connections and opportunities here to have a successful legal career. That’s my story. And back to you, Alex.
– Phenomenal, Martha. You’ve discovered leadership roles that will benefit you for the rest of your career, and I know you’re gonna make an outstanding lawyer. It’s great to know the extent of leadership opportunities at the U of I for students to foster connections and network far past the classroom. Thanks for showing us, Martha.