Leila Shubair spent her entire high school career in Fairbanks, Alaska. She grew up in the district, attending both Lathrop High School and the BEST Homeschool program.

She decided to go to UAF to stay close to her family and to continue her education. She was hesitant at first about joining the Honors College, but after meeting the staff and seeing what Honors could offer, the additional challenge is exciting. She is looking forward to the new adventures that come with being in the Honors College and hopes to meet other Honor students to see what they can do together in HSAC.

Ivy Daly is a first-year linguistics student at UAF and the HSAC Secretary. By summer, she directs the salmon sorting line at a fishing dock in her hometown of Kasilof. In fall, Ivy returns to her academic study, which, despite her enthusiasm for it, she must occasionally grant herself reprieve from by practicing her baritone saxophone, sculpting rats, learning new languages, and challenging her sister to reading competitions.

After graduating from Soldotna High School in 2022, Ivy was looking for a school that offered both a low cost and a strong linguistics program. She knows that she made the right choice in choosing Fairbanks: everything from the people to the scenery is beautiful, and participating in the Honors Council has helped her unite with like-minded peers who are eager to make a difference in the community.

Emily grew up on the East Coast and moved to Fairbanks during her freshman year of high school. She graduated from Lathrop High School in 2022 and is now a first-year honor student at UAF. She is an interdisciplinary student majoring in Forensic Science and plans on focusing on DNA analysis.

Emily has thoroughly embraced the Alaskan lifestyle including the many adventures and breathtaking scenery. Emily particularly enjoys salmon and halibut fishing and kayaking the many rivers and lakes. One of her plans as head of the event committee is to coordinate events throughout the year to enhance comradery and enjoyment for honors students.

Emily grew up on the East Coast and moved to Fairbanks during her freshman year of high school. She graduated from Lathrop High School in 2022 and is now a first-year honor student at UAF. She is an interdisciplinary student majoring in Forensic Science and plans on focusing on DNA analysis.

Emily has thoroughly embraced the Alaskan lifestyle including the many adventures and breathtaking scenery. Emily particularly enjoys salmon and halibut fishing and kayaking the many rivers and lakes. One of her plans as head of the event committee is to coordinate events throughout the year to enhance comradery and enjoyment for honors students. 

JB Brown was raised in Reno, Nevada, and will always call that place their home. Looking for a change, and after having received a pamphlet advertising the Climate Scholars program, they were dead set on attending UAF.

JB is currently majoring in Biological Science, with a minor in Art, and hopes to add Film as a second major. They spend all their free time creating art, sewing, and crocheting/knitting. Since coming to UAF, they have found a passion for rock climbing.

With being in the Honors College as a requirement to be a Climate Scholar, joining HSAC just happened to be an opportunity that sounded fun. JB has been able to meet new people and make new friends through HSAC and the Honors College. They look forward to all the events and opportunities that come their way.

Meredith McMahon is an Anthropology major with junior standing. She is minoring in music and plays French Horn with the UAF Wind Ensemble. She is currently working on an URSA research project titled “Language, Gender and Power in a Gentlemen’s Club” and plans on attending and presenting at several conferences this year.

Meredith joined the Honors College for the opportunities and connections made available through the program and is a member of HSAC because she cares about student well being and success in her community.

Elliot was raised in Juneau and has lived in Alaska his whole life. He decided to go to UAF because he wanted to go somewhere outside of Juneau, but still wanted the affordability of in state tuition. He was hesitant to join both Honors and HSAC at first, but is really glad he did. He has met a lot of my closest friends in HSAC, and has had a lot of fun since joining. "It’s a really good group that’s fun to work and hang out with."

Elliot looks forward to being able to help new students settle in here and enjoy their new school as much as he has! Some things Elliot enjoys doing outside of school are hiking, climbing, playing guitar, and just having fun in general.

Jedidiah, a native of North Pole, Alaska, is majoring in Wildlife Biology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. They are passionate about nature and animals and enjoy spending time outdoors and observing the wildlife.

The cost-effectiveness and opportunities offered were major factors in their decision to attend UAF. When applying to colleges, Jedidiah was particularly interested in the Honors College for its potential to academically challenge themselves and connect with a community of motivated students. As a current member of the Honors College, Jedidiah is eager to collaborate with their peers in the Honors Student Advisory Council and achieve great things together.