UA Newswire October 1, 2024

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October 1, 2024

Research, workforce development and economic growth news stories and other feature articles from the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Southeast, University of Alaska System Office and the UA Foundation. Compiled by the University of Alaska System Office of Public Affairs.

University of Alaska Anchorage

University of Alaska enrollment gaining; Mat-Su College shows strongest growth

The University of Alaska has turned the corner on student enrollments, ending years of decline.

Enrollment is up sharply at Mat-Su College, which serves the Matanuska-Susitna Borough as part of the University of Alaska Anchorage, or UAA.

Preliminary course registration at Mat-Su College for the fall semester is up 31.5%, according to university data.

Contact: Rachael Maher

the Mat-Su college sign Enrollment is also up sharply at Mat-Su College, which serves the Matanuska-Susitna Borough as part of the University of Alaska Anchorage, or UAA. (UA photo)

Archive renovation at UAA helps preserve Alaska's stories

The Archives and Special Collections at the University of Alaska Anchorage/Alaska Pacific University Consortium Library is located on the third floor of the University of Alaska Anchorage library.

A year and a half ago, they faced a large problem. The vault was at 90% capacity. They were running out of room.

Today, thanks to a year-long $1 million renovation, they have some room to breathe.

Contact: Austin Osborne

College of Arts and Sciences lecture series welcomes prominent national and Alaska figures throughout the year

The UAA College of Arts and Sciences 2024-25 Community Lecture Series, “Our Shared Journey: Reflections, Insights and Visions,” brings the world to Alaska and Alaska to the world, showcasing speakers with a broad and diverse range of expertise and a deep well of insight.

From retired NPR host Melissa Block and former congresswoman Liz Cheney to Alaska’s own Seth Kantner and Mr. Whitekeys, the series spotlights the remarkable contributions of dignitaries, scholars, artists and culture bearers to gain a better understanding of our state, nation and the world around us.

Contact: Austin Osborne

University of Alaska Fairbanks

For first time, all-woman crew ready at University Fire Station

When firefighters from the University Fire Department were toned out on an emergency call Sunday morning, it was the first time an all-woman crew responded.

That’s because this is the first time a crew of all women has been assigned to the same shift, same station, at the University Fire Department’s Station #12 on University Avenue. The crew consists of one captain and six other crew members.

Contact: Marmian Grimes

12 female fire crew stand in uniform in front of fire truck For the first time ever, the University Fire Station has an all-woman crew at one of its fire stations. (UFD photo)

Education curriculum blends drones, science and Native language lessons

For five years, the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute worked to develop a placed-based curriculum for upper elementary school students in Nenana, Nulato and Valdez.

The DRONES program was funded with a grant by the National Science Foundation and worked on collaboratively between the Geophysical Institute, the Alaska Center for UAS Integration, and the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Contact: Rod Boyce

Traveling population wave in Canada lynx

A new study by researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Institute of Arctic Biology provides compelling evidence that Canada lynx populations in Interior Alaska experience a "traveling population wave" affecting their reproduction, movement and survival.

This discovery could help wildlife managers make better-informed decisions when managing one of the boreal forest's keystone predators.

Contact: Marmian Grimes

University of Alaska Southeast

Exploring the diverse and extraordinary life of Southeast Alaska’s tide pools

“There’s so, so much to know about what lives on the beach and where you can find it and interactions between different things, that you can spend a lifetime doing it and still not know everything yet,” said Morgan, a naturalist and professor at the University of Alaska Southeast, as she walked along beach. She’s spent her whole life combing beaches in this region.

Contact: Elizabeth Cornejo

The egg casing of a moon snail. When female moon snails lay eggs, they dispel their eggs with a protein mucus that mixes with sand to form the dark, rubbery, hand-sized mass that protects the eggs inside. When the larvae are ready to come out, the whole casing dissolves in the ocean. Morgan said people often pick them up and throw them away thinking they’re litter. (Michael Fanelli/KRBD)

New research hopes to find better ways to manage interactions between Juneau’s black bears and people

Juneau lies in the midst of prime black bear habitat. Bears and people have to share the city, and new research hopes to figure out how they can do that more peacefully.

The number of bears killed in Juneau has quadrupled since the 1980s. Just this summer, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game euthanized two young bears downtown after they became aggressive while eating from trash cans.

Contact: Elizabeth Cornejo

Raven Advisory LLC announces partnership with Alaska Center for UAS Integration

Raven Advisory's Technology Division is thrilled to announce a partnership with Alaska Center for UAS Integration, the lead for the FAA's University of Alaska UAS Test Site, to develop a Digital Operational Mobility Environment "DOME" in Maxton, NC.

This project will create jobs, attract manufacturing, and provide capabilities for operating advanced transportation technologies, including drones. Industry, government agencies, and academic researchers will have access to the DOME for testing and fielding autonomous vehicles and digital infrastructure.

Contact: Elizabeth Cornejo

UA System Office

Alaska scientist Mike Sfraga confirmed as U.S. Arctic ambassador-at-large

More than 1 ½ years after he was nominated, Alaskan Mike Sfraga was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the nation’s first Arctic ambassador.

Sfraga, a geographer, chairs the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, founded the Polar Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C., is a former faculty member and administrator at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, helped found the University of the Arctic and has several other Arctic-related accomplishments.

Contact: Jonathon Taylor

Mike Sfraga stands at a podium during a minerals conference The Arctic ambassador-at-large is charged with leading and coordinating the advancement of U.S. interests in the Arctic and strengthening cooperation among Arctic nations, according to the Department of State. (UA photo)

For Alaska Campaign Demonstrates How Generosity Changes Lives

The University of Alaska (UA) celebrates the impact of the For Alaska fundraising campaign on post-secondary education and training in Alaska. Gifts from 21,777 individuals, businesses and foundations over the eight-year campaign have strengthened student experiences and UA’s mission of teaching, research and public service.

The $200 million goal was surpassed for a total of more than $277 million raised, encompassing all gifts received from fiscal year 2017 to fiscal year 2024.

Contact: Maggie Demers

Did You Know 96% of graduates from UA’s 46 Construction Programs Stay in Alaska to Build the State’s Future?

With Alaska poised for new infrastructure projects, the University of Alaska is stepping up to ensure the state has the workforce it needs. Through a $800,000 partnership between UA and industry leaders, the next generation of construction professionals is already taking shape.

Helga and Bill Watterson, longtime UA advocates, were among the first to invest in this future, contributing $50,000 and inspiring others to follow their lead. Nearly $500,000 in private donations have poured in from industry leaders, and UA itself committed $400,000 to support this critical workforce development.

Contact: Jonathon Taylor

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The University of Alaska is an equal opportunity/equal access employer and educational institution. The university is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.