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Our mission

First-year advisors guide students through exploration and personal growth in a relationship of trust, safety and support. Students are connected with campus resources and engagement opportunities, and we empower students to take ownership of their learning, define their education, and develop career goals while achieving academic success as they transition to their chosen field of study.

What is first-year advising?

Comprehensive first-year advising provides foundational skills, resources and academic support for students during their initial 30 credits for four-year degree programs. First-year advisors partner with departmental advisors to provide students with a solid foundation that will assist them throughout the completion of their degree.

Learn more about first-year advising

Students the Academic Advising Center supports

First-year (completed less than 30 credits) students

Starting in spring 2024 registration, the AAC will be advising all first-year students who are newly admitted to degree programs or have completed less than 30 credits at UAF

Pre-major (pre-undeclared and pre-exploratory) students

If you have not met the minimum requirements for admission to a baccalaureate (Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science) degree program, you will be admitted as a pre-major. You may see you are listed as a pre-exploratory, pre-general studies or pre-undeclared student. They all mean the same thing.

You will get to change your major status when you are in good standing (your cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher) and you have completed the following:

14 credits at the 100 level or above
Nine of the 14 credits must satisfy the general education requirements
a C (2.0 GPA) average or higher

Exploratory (general studies and undeclared) students

You were most likely admitted as an exploratory, general studies or undeclared student if you were not ready to declare a major.

Incoming students are not required to choose a degree program and have the option of choosing general studies-undeclared. You are advised by the Academic Advising Center and will work with your assigned advisor on transitioning into a declared major when you are ready to do so .

Being a general studies student does satisfy the degree-seeking requirements for financial aid purposes.

Students receiving GI assistance or veterans’ benefits may be required to change to a declared major to keep their benefits award.

Nondegree-seeking students

Anyone can take classes at UAF. There are no GPA or transcript requirements to be a nondegree-seeking student; however, some courses require prerequisite coursework or test scores in order to enroll. If you run into prerequisite errors or need to understand our placements you can set up an appointment with one of our advisors.

Visit the registration page to sign up for a class.

Please note: Nondegree-seeking students are not eligible for financial aid.

Pre-professional students

Pre-professional advising provides information about groundwork for admission to a specific graduate program or professional school. Most professional schools do not require a specific major for admission to their program. However, many courses may be required before admittance into the program, so a student must research admissions requirements carefully.

The Academic Advising Center (907-474-6396, uaf.advising@alaska.edu) provides academic advising for all pre-professional areas.

The Biology and Wildlife Department and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry provide additional academic advising for the medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary and pre-health pre-professional programs.

Study Away program

The Study Away program allows you to earn UAF credits while studying for up to a year at an approved university in another state or country.

Minimum requirements

If you are interested in applying for an academic exchange or study abroad program through UAF, you must fulfill the following minimum requirements.

Be a degree-seeking student at UAF (working toward a certificate, associate, bachelor's, master's or Ph.D., for example; you do not need to have a declared major)
Complete at least two full-time semesters (enrolled in 12 credits or more) at UAF before the first semester away
Be enrolled full time at UAF the semester before your study away program
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 when application is due
Have a minimum 2.5 semester GPA the semester before your study away program
Good academic, behavioral and financial standing at UAF
No incomplete (I) grades on transcript

Note: Specific programs may have other requirements, such as a higher GPA or specific language proficiency requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into a study away program, but all eligible students are encouraged to apply.

Please see the Study Away website for more details, or make an appointment with our directly.

Student athletes

The Academic Advising Center's First-year Advising Specialists provide additional support to the Assistant Director for Athletics Academic Services in assisting our UAF student athletes.

Credit for prior learning

The Academic Advising Center administers the credit for prior learning program, wherein students may earn undergraduate credit based on university-level learning they have obtained outside the classroom. Students can document the university-level learning they have gained through employment, volunteer service or other life experiences with a portfolio or copies of licenses and certificates earned. Certificate, associate or bachelor’s degree students may earn up to 25 percent of total program requirements through the credit for prior learning program.

Credentials for admitted degree students who are currently enrolled are reviewed by faculty from participating departments who determine if this process is appropriate and make recommendations for awarding prior learning credit. Review is based on equivalency to courses listed in this catalog. Credit received for prior learning does not affect your GPA and is not considered residence credit. The university will award transfer credit for specified national and state authorizations, certificates, credentials and/or examinations (see transferring credits) that do not need credit for prior learning review.

(UIS) BA, BS and BAAS Interdisciplinary Studies

Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Studies (UIS) programs provide flexibility to students who have educational goals that do not fit into other majors or minors available at UAF. Our Advisors work with you to support a program individualized to you and your learning goals.

There are two interdisciplinary degree options as well three minors available through UIS. The Goals Option is a custom bachelor’s or associate’s degree that you build and name with the help of a multidisciplinary faculty committee. The Bachelor’s Degree Completion Option provides an efficient pathway to graduation for students who have a lot of college credits to graduate with an Interdisciplinary Studies major and General Studies concentration. UIS also offers minors in Environmental Change, Health Science for Preprofessionals, and Interdisciplinary Studies, the latter of which allows students to design their own minor.

Advising team

Our accessible advisors are equipped to answer all of the important questions you'll have when working toward your degree at UAF.

First-year advisors (includes direct scheduling links)

Sam Kubina

First-Year Academic Advising Specialist

skubina2@alaska.edu

Majors I advise:

BS Climate and Environmental Change
BS Wildlife Biology and Conservation
BS Biological Sciences
BA Climate and Arctic Sustainability
BA Film and Performing Arts
BA Linguistics
BA Music
BM Music Education
BM Music Performance
BA Political Science
BSEM Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Exploratory
Pre-Exploratory

Learn more about Sam Kubina

I am Sam. Sam I am. But I prefer my eggs and ham plain.

Sam comes from a small town in central Indiana where he developed a wide array of interests, from archery to musical theater. Their undergraduate career involved several transfers, before finally finishing a degree in music performance and composition at the University of Indianapolis. They spent several years teaching privately while also directing a community orchestra focused on uplifting local and student composers. They later attended Ball State University to complete a master’s in music before transitioning to other interests. In 2022, they spent the year traveling full time across the Lower 48. They eventually made their way to Fairbanks, where they fell in love with the climate and lack of sunburn. They are excited to start this next chapter helping students at UAF find their passion and further education.

In their free time, they enjoy baking, hiking, Irish folk music, a dry sense of humor, video games, the Oxford comma (,!) and solitary confinement. They also have a pet quaker parrot that loves to be the life of any party and will interrupt any conversation to scream into the void. They are excited to be in one place again and look forward to traveling and exploring in the summer months.

Victoria Avery

First-Year Academic Advising Specialist

vlavery@alaska.edu

Majors I advise:

BS Natural Resources & Environment
BS Fisheries and Marine Sciences
BA Fisheries
BA and BFA Art
BA English
BA Justice
BA Philosophy
BA Social Work
BA, BS, and BAAS Interdisciplinary Studies
Exploratory
Pre-Exploratory

Learn more about Victoria Avery

Vicky did not think about attending college until well into her adult life. As a nontraditional low-income student, she often struggled with school/life/work balance. However, along with these challenges she also found a community and sense of belonging in academia. With this support, she was able to graduate with an undergraduate double major in English and Russian with a minor in ancient Greek. Her experience drives her to support students in the ways she was supported, and to help students find their own path to success — even if it doesn't look like anyone else's.

Vicky moved to Alaska to earn her master's in English and to escape the Texas heat 10 years ago. She loves the snow and never wants to feel hot again. The winter darkness gives her a good excuse to play video games or board games with friends, and the long summer days offer opportunities for outdoor adventures around the state. Another activity that she will always find time for is disability advocacy. Currently, Vicky is earning another master's degree from the School of Education at UAF.

Carrie Browne

First-Year Academic Advising Specialist

clbrowne@alaska.edu

Majors I advise:

BS Chemistry
BS Geoscience
BS Physics
BS/BA (online) Biological Sciences
BS Engineering Undeclared
BS Geological Engineering
BS Mining Engineering
BA Anthropology
BA Foreign Languages
BA History
BA Justice (online)
BS/BA Psychology
BA Social Work (online)
BBA Accounting
BAM Applied Management (online)
Exploratory
Pre-Exploratory

(Zoom and phone appointments only)
Evening hours offered: by request.

Learn more about Carrie Browne

Carrie was born and raised in Western Washington. Her first visit to Alaska was as a 19-year-old when she started working seasonal jobs at remote fly-fishing lodges near Aleknagik and Lake Iliamna. She loved it so much that she returned every summer throughout college. Carrie earned a bachelor’s degree in geology while playing centerfield on a softball scholarship at Central Washington University.

Soon after graduating, she moved to Fairbanks in 1999 and eventually worked as a geologist with the Alaska Division of Geology and Geophysical Surveys while her husband completed graduate degrees in geology from UAF. They moved to California in 2005. Carrie and her family returned to Fairbanks in 2020 after many years of wanting to move back to this interesting community. She has recently moved back to California with her family and is enjoying her role as a virtual advisor for our group.

Carrie enjoys her advising role very much. She wants students to feel seen, heard and supported as they navigate through their experience at UAF. She enjoys knitting, walking among the redwoods in her neighborhood and cooking for her family.

Kelly Rolen

First-Year Academic Advising Specialist

knrolen@alaska.edu

Majors I advise:

BS Aerospace Engineering
BS Civil Engineering
BS Electrical Engineering
BS Energy Resource Engineering
BS Mechanical Engineering
BS Petroleum Engineering
BA Communication
BA Journalism: Science and Environment
BAM Applied Management
BBA Business Administration
BA, BS, and BAAS Interdisciplinary Studies
Exploratory
Pre-Exploratory

Early morning 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. AKT appointments available.

Learn more about Kelly Rolen

Vacant

First-Year Academic Advising Specialist

Majors I advise:

Cassie Kendall

Student Success Advising Coordinator

cekendall@alaska.edu

Majors I advise:

BA/BS/BS to MS Mathematics
BS Computer Engineering
BA and BS Computer Science
BA Biological Sciences
BA Japanese Studies
BA Elementary Education
BA Secondary Education
Nanook Navigator Advisor Support
Exploratory
Pre-Exploratory

Learn more about Cassie Kendall

Cassie was born and raised on the Kenai Peninsula in Nikiski, Alaska. She started her college education at the Kenai Peninsula College and, after receiving her Associate of Arts and getting married, moved to Fairbanks in 2012 to continue going to school. In 2018, she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in elementary education.

During her time at KPC and UAF, she worked in the learning centers and focused mainly on supporting students in math and study skills. After graduating, she started teaching study skills courses at the UAF Community and Technical College for success in math courses, college and after college. In 2022, Cassie joined the Academic Advising Center as a first-year advisor and is excited to work with students beginning their college career!

Both Cassie and her husband fell in love with Fairbanks and decided to stay instead of moving back to Kenai. When not at work, Cassie enjoys spending time with her friends, family, four cats and dog. She enjoys reading fantasy novels, gaming, playing Magic and other similar games, fishing, agate hunting, attempting to garden, and enjoying the outdoors.

Timothy Scherer

Director of Advising

tjscherer@alaska.edu

Can help with: Advising and AAC advisor support

Career advisors (includes direct scheduling links)

April Jaillet

Director of Career Services

uaf-career@alaska.edu | 907-474-6396

For career related questions

Study Away advisors (includes direct scheduling links)

Anne Triest

Study Away academic advisor

aetriest@alaska.edu

Can help with: Advising students going on study abroad and exchange programs (international and domestic) and incoming short-term exchange students
Visit the Study Away website for more details.

Learn more about Anne Triest

Anne grew up mostly in the Boston area and completed her bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology at Carleton College in Minnesota. She entered her undergraduate career certain she wanted to study abroad, although uncertain where. Then a summer volunteering in China changed her life. Ironically, she ended up running out of time to do an academic study abroad program, partially due to developing an addiction to Chinese classes. One thing led to another and she ended up working as the coordinator of that life-changing volunteer program in China. She then moved to China to teach English and eventually completed a master’s in teaching Chinese at Xiamen University in southern China.

Six years into living in China and finally ready to consider returning to the U.S., Anne noticed that Denali National Park was looking for a Mandarin-speaking intern. In early 2019, she moved to Alaska. After spending a few winters in Fairbanks during the seasonal park ranger off-season, she finally decided to make it her year-round home. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and gardening in the summer, cross-country skiing in the winter, and relaxing with her cat, partner and a good book or movie year-round.

She is very excited to support you on your study away journey and hear about all the amazing places it takes you!

Academic coaches

Matia

Academic coach

Can help with: Time management, online learning strategies, school/life balance, individualized study plans, reading and note-taking strategies, organization, effective communication, quiz and exam prep, setting priorities and goals, self-care, and much more!

Learn more about Matia