April 7, 2026
Daylight: 14:19:06

Week 13!

Three weeks. That’s it.

The countdown is real, and the energy on campus is building fast. For everyone at UAF – students, staff and faculty – the finish line of the spring 2026 semester is right there in front of us. You can feel it.

Whether you started this journey in August or jumped aboard in January, you’ve come a long way. Late nights, early mornings, group projects, exams – you’ve pushed through it all. And now? You’re in the final stretch. This is where it counts. Stay focused, keep your momentum and finish strong.

And for many of you, this isn’t just the end of a semester – it’s the moment you’ve been working toward for years. Thousands of hours. Countless sacrifices. Real dedication. And now, it’s paying off. Graduation is almost here, and that’s no small thing. It’s huge. It’s powerful. It’s yours.

Let’s celebrate – big time.

This season is packed with moments of celebration you’ll remember forever:

• Trailblazers Recognition Ceremony – April 23

• First-Gen Cord Ceremony – April 25

• Honors College Graduation Ceremony – April 30

• Gold Ceremony – May 1

• Grad Bash – May 1

• 104th Commencement Ceremony – May 2

• Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony – May 2

• Kuskokwim Campus Commencement – May 7

• Northwest Campus Commencement – May 7

• Chukchi Campus Commencement – May 13

Show up. Celebrate your friends. Celebrate yourself. No one gets through this alone – and these wins belong to all of you.

A few quick things before you cross that finish line:

• The Financial Aid and Disability Service Offices will be temporarily relocated to the Bunnell Building, Suite 131 for approximately two weeks. Thank you for your patience during this temporary transition.

• Financial Aid’s main phone line (907-474-7256) and email (uaf-financialaid@alaska.edu) will remain the same, and they will continue to assist students during regular office hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Disability Service Office main phone line (907-474-5655) and email (disability-services@alaska.edu) will remain the same, and they will continue to assist students during regular office hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Walk-in hours Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2:15-3:15 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, from 1-2 p.m.

• Take 4 minutes, maybe win $1,000.
  Check your inbox for the Student Success Survey. It’s short, it matters and your feedback directly shapes the UAF experience. Plus, you could win one of three $1,000 awards. Worth it. On Wednesday, March 25, a unique link was sent to your inbox from UA Student Success noreply@qemailserver.com with the subject line: Student Success Survey: 4 minutes + $1,000 award opportunity. If you use a preferred email address outside the @alaska.edu domain, please check your spam folder to locate your invitation and complete the survey.
  
  This survey matters! Four minutes of your time will help us understand why you chose us, what’s keeping you here, what’s standing in your way and how we can help. We will listen and we will act on your input.

• Looking for a summer job?
  Hit the Student Employee Summer Job Fair on April 14 (noon to 3 p.m., Wood Center). Work, earn, take some classes and still enjoy everything Fairbanks has to offer. All UAF Student jobs can be found online. For more info, email uaf-career@alaska.edu.
  

• Register for summer and fall classes.
  Future you will thank you. Lock it in now and stay on track. Financial aid might be available – don’t miss out. Check in with a financial aid advisor to find out more.

• Take care of yourself.
  Seriously. Rest. Eat well. Get outside. Check in with your people. You’ve made it this far – don’t burn out right before the finish line.

This is an incredible moment to be part of UAF. The resilience, the drive, the achievements – it’s all happening right now, and you’re part of it.

You’re almost there. Let’s go. Go ‘Nooks!

If you have feedback on how we can make your education more accessible or how we can make UAF better? Let me know by emailing me at obguthrie@alaska.edu.

— Owen Guthrie, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management