An alumna of the Rural Alaska Honors Institute and Dot Lake High School, Fitzgerald earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences at UAF and most recently graduated from the Doyon Leadership Training program.

Fitzgerald has worked the last 15 years in the Office of Human Resources, Biology and Wildlife Department, College of Natural Science and Mathematics Division of Research, and most recently in the Signers' Business Office. Before UAF, she worked for Tanana Chiefs Conference for seven years.

She enjoys outdoor activities such as: hiking, skiing, floating and boating. She also enjoys traditional activities: picking berries and wild rhubarb, fishing, hunting, beading, singing Athabascan songs and attending potlatches.

Laurie Trotta is the Graduate Success Coordinator for the UAF College of Indigenous Studies, where she is responsible for overseeing the academic advising of graduate students throughout their graduate school lifecycle, from prospective student status through graduation. On a mission to help students achieve their aspirations and goals, she is focused on providing all the support a student needs, advocating for students, and creating a welcome and supportive environment for all.

Prior to taking on this role, she was the Coordinator for the Department of Tribal Governance for 3 years. Before joining the Tribal Governance team, Trotta spent 6 years working as a Coordinator with the Migrant Education Program supporting students and their families living a subsistence lifestyle.  She has dedicated her career to education helping students reach their highest potential by finding the path that best suits them and to the sustainability of the natural environment.

Trotta started her career as a fish biologist, aquaculturist, and aquatic ecologist before moving on to teach a variety of aquaculture, aquatic science, and renewable resource courses and advise students in the Environmental Sciences academic programs. She also advised a student Outdoor Recreation Club for 12 years and did everything from backpacking in the Adirondack Mountains to exploring Denali National Park and surfing in Costa Rica. 

After 22 years of university service at New York State Agriculture and Technology colleges, Laurie moved to Fairbanks, a longtime second home that is now her primary home. In her spare time, she likes to spend time out of doors with her dogs, hiking, paddling, fishing, and berry picking.  Indoors, she enjoys cooking, needle crafts, drawing, or reading.