Teresa joined the University of Alaska Fairbanks as major gift officer in June 2019, bringing with her more than 10 years of professional fundraising experience to the team as well as a broad range of strategic business and leadership skills.

Teresa came to Alaska in 1985 and became part of the Usibelli family through her marriage to John Usibelli.

Originally from CleElum and Roslyn, Wash., Teresa attended Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash., graduating with a Bachelor Science in Community Health Education and a Minor in Biology In 1983. Upon her arrival to Alaska she enrolled at UAF’s downtown branch, then called Tanana Valley Campus, and earned certification for alcohol and substance abuse counseling. She worked for Tanana Chiefs Conference and traveled to many remote Alaska villages. She later went to work for the Fairbanks North Star Borough managing the Big Dipper Ice Arena during the era of the Gold Kings, which brought national and international players to Fairbanks. Teresa later moved to Healy with her family and worked as the mayor’s special assistant in the newly formed Denali Borough. She pursued her own businesses, including Alaskan Chateau Lodging, Alaskan Vacation Rentals, Denali Car Rentals, Denali Coffee and U-Haul. She later sold her businesses and came to work for the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks, in Development and Planned Giving, where she worked for more than eight years.

Teresa is past president of the Greater Healy Denali Chamber of Commerce, has served on GVEA’s MAC and Goodcents committees, and served as a member of the Denali Borough Assembly and school board, as well as numerous committees in land use and planning. She’s also been active in the Lion’s Club.

Husband John, a mining engineering alumnus and production manager at Usibelli Coal Mine, passed away in 2016.  Daughter Elizabeth is a UAF and CTC graduate and uses her skills at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital providing patient care. Son Vincent is a graduate of Hutchison Career Center, through the welding and diesel program. 

Teresa enjoys the Alaska outdoors and spending time with family and friends. She is excited to be in her position and welcomes phone calls and visits from those interested in learning more about UAF and the opportunities it brings to students, Alaska and the future.

Caitlin Lipka joined the University of Alaska Fairbanks Office of Development in October 2023 as a senior relationship manager.

Caitlin has over 10 years of experience working for the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Alaska statewide office. Most recently, Caitlin served as the associate director of admissions at UAF, where she focused on growing UAF’s new student enrollment and leading the UAF admissions counseling team. She was also a UAF admissions counselor for five years, and she worked as a program specialist with the UA Scholars Program and the Alaska 529 educational savings plan. Caitlin loves UAF, and she is always excited to talk about the unique opportunities and possibilities available here!

Caitlin was born and raised in Washington state, but she has called Alaska home since 2011. After graduating from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in sport management, she came to Alaska for a summer job in tourism and has lived in Alaska ever since. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling with her kids and husband, meeting new people and exploring fun activities to stay active year-round in Alaska.

Judy Dellinger joined the University of Alaska Fairbanks in June 2020 as a major gifts officer with a focus on the UAF Department of Athletics. Originally from Hermiston, Oregon, Judy moved to Alaska in 1989 and earned her bachelor’s degree in rural development at UAF in 1994. 

With over 20 years of experience in the Fairbanks nonprofit community, Judy returned to her alma mater after serving as the executive and finance coordinator for Explore Fairbanks and the marketing consultant for JP Jones Community Center. Prior to that, Dellinger worked at Love INC in several capacities, including development director and executive director. Judy has also served as the executive director for the Greater Fairbanks Habitat for Humanity.

Judy currently serves as secretary on the board of directors at the FYND Out Free Pregnancy Center and as secretary on the management team of the Fairbanks Frontier Chorus, also known as The Fairbanks Sweet Adelines, where she has been a member since 2007.

Allison has been with the University of Alaska Fairbanks since 1998. As the Donor Relations Director, she provides data analysis reports for the major gift division and oversees stewardship and private scholarship/fund management. Prior to joining the Development Office in 2008, she held several positions in UAF Advancement Services and University Relations performing database management and gift processing.

Allison received a bachelor’s degree in Management from Oregon State University in 1993 and her master’s in Business Administration from University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1999. She is an active member of Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP) and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

Allison was born and raised in Fairbanks, spending much of her time on the University of Alaska campus as a youth attending camps or later as a college student. She enjoys exercising, baking, and traveling with her family. Allison and her husband, John (also a UAF alumnus), reside in Fairbanks along with their three children, Bailey (a student at UAF), Kylee and Preston.

Bambi joined UAF in 2004 and has spent 15 years in positions with UAF Development and the College of Rural and Community Development. She spent 6 years in Houston, Texas, working in children’s library programming. With a background in public service, community development and event planning, Bambi is well positioned for her role as Donor Engagement Officer. She has the unique opportunity to celebrate UAF’s generous donors and connect them with meaningful opportunities to support the institution’s mission.

In her free time, Bambi enjoys reading, writing and watching British TV. She’s a regular contributor to Houston Moms, creating and sharing parenting content. A proponent of children’s literacy, she is a former board member for the Fairbanks Children’s Museum and volunteers with the North Star Imagination Library. She and her husband share homeschooling duties for their son and their rescue Chiweenie keeps the whole family on their toes.