Ellen Lopez

Dean

Gruening 404B

As the Dean of the UAF College of Liberal Arts, Ellen's philosophy of leadership reflects the principles that guide her culturally congruent and responsive program of research.

I work for our faculty, staff, and students to keep CLA moving forward toward success. I care about my colleagues! I try to listen, be empathetic, and weigh the pros and cons of all situations.

"I can't be perfect, but I can be excellent!" -Ellen Lopez

Diosmary "Dee" Cardentey

Executive Officer

Gruening 404E

I am a licensed professional counselor and human resources professional. As Executive Officer, I get to bring my love of Psychology and Human Resources together! I do not consider myself an expert but I always strive to give 110% in all that I do.

I love to learn, hence the two Master's degrees and tons of student loan debt . What inspires me the most is the potential for growth and self-evolution. At CLA, I am constantly challenged to think outside the box and do better than I did the day before.

Carrie Baker

Associate Dean & Professor of Theatre & Film

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As Associate Dean of the UAF College of Liberal Arts, I support Dean Lopez’s work in moving our college forward. I am focused on infrastructure and technology, Strategic Enrollment Planning, and Program Review process revisions. I served as Department Chair in Theatre & Film for almost a decade and have a keen understanding of the incredible work of CLA’s faculty, staff, and students. I am a full-time faculty member and strive to bring the faculty perspective to my work with the Dean’s Team.  I strongly advocate for the Arts and believe in the importance of the Arts within an undergraduate education at UAF.

Carrie Baker is a Professor of Theatre & Film at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She is an actor, director, fight choreographer, and vocal coach. Carrie holds many New York and Regional Theatre stage acting credits, along with television and film acting credits. She is a member of Actor’s Equity Association (AEA) and Screen Actors Guild- American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). At UAF, Carrie teaches acting, voice and speech, movement, and camera acting and directs main-stage productions for Theatre UAF. Visit her website at: www.carriecrosbybaker.com

Teaching continues to be the great joy of my career; I simply love being in the classroom. I am inspired by my students: their creativity, their generosity, and their empathy. I love helping actors develop their craft, but I am particularly inspired by the sense of community we create in the classroom along the way. In every class I teach, I strive to build community and instill confidence in students.

“Time is the nurse and breeder of all good” -William Shakespeare

Heather Foltz

Fiscal Officer

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I specialize in unit-level budget development and management and oversight of all financial transactions and processes at both the departmental and unit level.

I assist departments with their operating budget, including managing the authorized budget amounts, executing and investigating expenditures via approved UAF policies and procedures, and monitoring incoming revenue. I can also provide proposal assistance for smaller or internal proposals, or I can coordinate assistance from the Office of Proposal Development.

“It is difficult to understand the universe if you only study one planet” - Miyamoto Musashi

Ellen Cruse

Human Resources Technician

Gruening 404A

I specialize in all the human resources functions within CLA.

Do you have a question about your pay or leave? Does your department need to hire a student assistant or graduate assistant? Then I'm your first stop!

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." -William James

Kathy Nava

Comprehensive Academic Advisor

Gruening 503D

Sarah Manriquez

Public Information Officer

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My expertise is in digital marketing and social media management. I am a jill of all trades and bring photography, videography, and graphic design to my position as the CLA PIO.

If you belong to the CLA family as a student, faculty, staff, alumni, or otherwise and have an event, fundraiser, accolade, or story you want to share with the public- I'm your first stop!

I oversee the UAF College of Liberal Arts social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and CLA's Digital Sign. I am also the contact person for Cornerstone submissions in CLA.

Do you need updated photos for your website? Do you need graphics for your social media campaign for that upcoming event you're working on? Do you want to make a video about how awesome your class is? I can help with that and so much more.

Let's schedule a meeting and make a plan!

"We define ourselves far too often by our past failures. That's not you. You are this person right now. You're the person who has learned from those failures. Build confidence and momentum with each good decision you make from here on out and choose to be inspired." -Joe Rogan