Orientation Leaders

They serve as peer advisors, group facilitators, performers, resource people and role models to new students and their families. OLs are selected for their leadership skills, academic achievements and desire to help new students. They are available at your New Student Orientation sessions to provide you with assistance with the transition to UAF. Being an OL means having NANOOK PRIDE!

Terin Aurora Rae Walton-Rantz

Meet Terin, our New Student Orientation Coordinator! Terin graduated from UAF in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and minors in Psychology and Journalism. She describes herself as super hyper, smiley, goofy, passionate, lovin’ life, a hard worker and friendly! She loves to dance, go sledding, go boating and camping, play with her and her husband’s two blue heeler pups, watch movies, and, last but not least, spend time with her family. If she were an animal, it would definitely be a dolphin because they are extremely playful, they’re not afraid of sharks and they get to swim around all day and have fun. When she was a student, she was in tons of student organizations. Now that she is staff, she is a member of the UAF Alumni Association, Northern Leadership Center Task Force, Conference of Young Alaskans Steering Committee, and she is a volunteer with North Star Youth Court. If she could go anywhere in the whole world, she would go on a sailboat cruise around the Tahitian Islands because it would be gorgeous, warm and the dream of a lifetime.

Kayla Kappel

Kayla is a senior Art major who has lived all over the place. She enjoys singing, making any kind of arts or crafts, reading, being with her husband and family, and playing Apples to Apples with a big group of people! She describes herself as funny, shy, friendly and goofy, and if she had to pick an animal to be, she would be a puppy because everyone loves them, and they are just so dang adorable! You can find Kayla working as a Student Assistant for Terin in the Office of New Student Orientation.

Alesha Weiland

Alesha is enthusiastic, open-minded and adventurous! Her favorite place is the woods because they were (and still are) her favorite place to play. What she loves most about UAF are the amazing people she has met here - it’s a great support system. She had five concussions before she was five years old. She loves exotic food and says there really isn’t anything she wouldn’t try once.

Amanda Loibl

Amanda is energetic, bubbly, and shy at first but then outgoing. Her favorite thing about UAF is how small it is compared to other universities. It’s like a small, little community, and someone is always willing to help. She loves penguins, but if she were an animal, she would either be something really small, like a hamster, or really big, like a whale, just to get a different view of things. She has become addicted to ice hockey during the last 6 months.

Anne Kathrin Vance

Anne is energetic, friendly, down-to-earth, and caring. Her mentor is her older sister who has accomplished so much and followed her dreams in whatever she does. Her favorite thing about UAF is the friendly atmosphere and many organizations that are offered; there are so many to choose from. If Anne were an animal, she would either be a horse or a cat. As a horse she could run as much as she wanted, but as a cat she’d have it made – sleep, eat, sleep, play, eat, sleep. ☺

Ashley Katie Miranda

If Ashley were an animal, it would be a fish. She loves swimming and would really love to see what is on the ocean floor. If she were given $2,000 she had to spend today, she would spend half of it on the global hunger crisis and the other half on college for younger children who are needy. Outside is her favorite place to be, and she is very passionate about life.
 

Brittany Wintter

Brittany describes herself as serene, outgoing and friendly. She loves blueberries; in fact, her favorite screen name is Blueberry. If she was an animal, she would like to be a large bird so she could travel and see parts of the world that others rarely see. Her favorite thing about UAF is the atmosphere because everyone is so happy and friendly. She enjoys traveling and hopes to someday visit Cairo, Egypt.

Bronwyn Lee Harrod

Bronwyn describes herself as esoteric, crazy and ‘epic-nerdy.' Her favorite place is out in the woods in the mountain foothills because it’s so calm and peaceful that you can find yourself, if you are alone, or come closer to those you are with. Her favorite thing about UAF are the opportunities that are available here; they are amazing and will definitely give her a leg up after she graduates.

Eric Prowker

Eric’s favorite thing about UAF is that he’s the mascot! Of course, then, if he were an animal, it would definitely be a polar bear. His idols and mentors are Sig and Edgar Hansen because they prove time and time again that no matter how bad something gets, it will eventually get better.

Heather Sinclair

Heather describes herself as alive, curious and silly. Her favorite place to be is outside on a crisp fall day enjoying the colors of the leaves. Her idols and mentors in life are those people who help her realize how awesome it is to be alive. She loves UAF because of the diversity in the people, opportunities and experiences. She loves to cook and bake, and she also enjoys a good mug of tea.

Ida Peterson

The three words Ida chooses to describe herself are "Just Livin’ Life." Her favorite screen name is 'pida,' and her most loved place is the top of Granite Tors because you can see the world there, and it’s a beautiful place. Her favorite thing about UAF is her amazing friends; they help her get through the tough times and the studying and brighten up the cold, dark Alaska winter!

Jackie Henry

Jackie’s favorite thing about UAF is that everyone knows everyone else, and there is a generally friendly atmosphere on campus. She would like to be a butterfly because she likes that they all transform in their lives and end up beautiful. In three words she is driven, goofy and athletic, and her mentor is her mother because she sets an excellent example for her.

Jason Jones

Jason’s favorite place is the gym because it is a stress reliever, it's fun and it gets him pumped. Our mascot, the Nanook, is his favorite thing about UAF because he loves polar bears and the school colors. He’s a spontaneous yet relaxed dancer who loves outdoor activities and running.
 

Jennifer Chambers

Jennifer describes herself as involved, caffeinated and dedicated. Her favorite place is Anchorage because her family lives there. If Jennifer could be an animal she would be a red panda because they "are awesome!" Jennifer's favorite thing about UAF is how approachable all of the professors are.
 

Jimmy Donohue

Jimmy was born in San Francisco, CA and was a semi-professional skateboarder sponsored by VANS. He loves rugby but had to stop playing after he got five concussions. He can play the bagpipes, and his favorite thing about UAF is the ability for students to get involved and help better the campus.
 

Josh Cohen

Josh’s favorite thing about UAF is the frigid weather; being trapped inside at -42 degrees F makes friendships grow stronger. His idol and mentor is his grandpa because he escaped the holocaust and then fought the Nazis; he is a neat old man. If Josh were an animal, he would like to be an octopus because it would be fun to have 8 arms and suction cups. Plus, the ocean would be an awesome place to live.
 

Keagen Williams

This girl is all about horses. Her favorite things about UAF are that it’s close to home so she can go ride her horses and the small class sizes. She’s a person with questions, and they give her more of an opportunity to chat one-on-one with the professors. She can’t name just one idol or mentor because she’s had so many people who she’s worked with and had help from over the years. All of them have contributed to what she knows and who she is, and she feels it wouldn’t be fair to name just one.
 

Kiran Venepalli

Kiran’s favorite thing about UAF is the snow in the winter and the light in the summer; there is no place like this on earth. His mentor is his dad because he is never wrong, and he has unique personality. If Kiran were an animal, he would like to be a fish because there would be no need to take a bath everyday, and if he were to describe himself in one phrase, it would be “The Power of the Smile”.
 

"Kyle" Xu Cao

In three words Kyle is confident, willing and responsible. His favorite place is the library because it helps him have a good GPA, and his favorite thing about UAF is the swimming pool because it keeps him fit. If Kyle were an animal, he would be a puma because they are nimble and fast!
 

Larry J. Mosley Jr.

Larry’s favorite place to be is outside reading in the summer. Where else would you want to read a good book? He is patient, hard-working and easy going, and his favorite thing about UAF is the activities. Where else can you sled to class?
 

Mercedes Hughes

Mercedes’ favorite thing about UAF is the teachers and staff because they are so willing to do anything to help her succeed. She would love to be a playful feline if she were an animal because she likes playing with cats, and they relax well too. Her mentor and idol is her mom because she can do anything, and she inspires her to do the same. Mercedes loves to be outside and take photos of everything, and her favorite place is the swimming pool because she loves the water.
 

Naaqtuuq Dommek

Naaqtuuq’s favorite place is anywhere near the ocean because she grew up near it and she likes the way it looks, sounds, smells and makes her feel groovy. Her idols and mentors are her parents cause they got it going on, and she will always look up to them. They are funky, funny, healthy, smart, loving, supportive and rock solid. She was named after her grandmother and their name means something that is very full; almost overflowing or about to burst. Her favorite thing about UAF is the atmosphere; she loves the cold!
 

Nichole Feemster

Nichole would love to be an orca whale so she could swim really fast and live in the ocean. She describes herself as studious, simple and happy, and she loves how it snows practically all year long at UAF. You can ski anytime you want! She says her idol and mentor is Albert Einstein because he was super smart!
 

Nikki Carvajal

Nikki’s favorite thing about UAF is the sense of community on campus. In three words she is happy, hard working and energetic! Her favorite place is her grandpa’s house because it’s always warm there, and her mentor is her mom because she’s super strong and awesome!
 

Sean Thomas Clark

If Sean were an animal he would like to be a cat because they get to be lazy, and they have a little bit of attitude. His favorite place to be is Angel Rocks because it is so beautiful and has an interesting history. His idol is Elizabeth I because she maintained her cool in some tough situations, and his favorite thing about UAF are the people; they are kind and welcoming.
 

Shannon Pearce

Shannon’s favorite place is Ireland because it’s the land of her ancestors; it’s beautiful and green, and she loves their culture and accent. Her favorite thing about UAF is that it’s small and personable; it makes it easier to get to know fellow students and staff. If she were an animal, she would be a frog because it’s green and that’s her favorite color, it lives in the wetlands which is where I want to study and work, and it can croak loudly and no one things twice!
 

Stephanie Ramirez

Stephanie’s favorite thing about UAF is the size of the school and the friendly professors. It’s small enough to feel personal, and the professors are some of the nicest individuals she has met. Her mentor is her father because he has taught her how to achieve her goals and dreams in life. In three words she is quiet, adventurous and passionate, and if she were an animal she would be a beluga whale because they are awesome!
 

Sumanth Belawadi

Sumanth’s favorite thing about UAF is its people. They are all so warm and friendly and full of energy. If he were an animal he would be an albatross so he could migrate across oceans and continents and he wouldn’t have to pay for the flight ticket. If Sumanth had $2,000 to spend today, he would buy an electric guitar, and if he had any left he would buy a gift for his mom and give the rest to charity.
 

Trish Knavel

If Trish were an animal she would like to be a sea turtle because they lead such peaceful lives. She is crazy about UAF, she loves the people, the professors and the campus. Everyone here are so friendly and helpful! If she had $2,000 she had to spend today, she would donate it to the American Caner Society for research, and in three words Trish is tiny, ridiculous and green!
 

Tyler Christopher Haines Zimmerman-Casperson

Tyler is a sophomore in the Civil Engineering program and is into wrestling, movies and doing goofy things. This friendly guy would like to be a gorilla if he were an animal, because they eat bananas! Tyler is a member of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity and has eaten a beating heart, gets painted up for hockey games, and jumped into the Chena just after break up!
 

Walter DiSarro

Walter is a life-loving enthusiast who enjoys singing, shopping, random adventures, cooking and broomball. He is in his junior year at UAF and says he is a student for life. If he could go anywhere in the world, he would go to the moon…why not? Walter is involved in the Conference of Young Alaskans Steering Committee and HOBY Alaska. If he were going to be an item of clothing, he says, "I would be a hat…so I’ll be on your mind ALL day…"
 

William "Bobby" Pendleton

William’s favorite thing about UAF is that everyone works together and is friendly. His parents are his mentors because he is who he is because of them. He describes himself as happy, responsible and attentive, and if he were an animal he would be an eagle so that he could fly!
 

William "Boe" Edwards

In three words, Boe is active, fun and positive! His favorite place is Fairbanks because he was born and raised here, and it’s his home. His favorite screen name is ’bo deezy,’ and his mentor is his big brother Tom from Big Brothers Big Sisters because he’s awesome! Boe’s favorite thing about UAF are the intramurals because he LOVES sports!