Northwest Campus director to retire in July

January 8, 2019

Leona Long
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Bob Metcalf, director of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Northwest Campus in Nome, will retire in July 2019. He has worked at the campus since 1991.

The Northwest Campus is a part of UAF's College of Rural and Community Development. The college is recruiting to fill the position.

“Under Bob’s leadership, the Northwest Campus completed nine years of extensive renovation, resulting in new and refreshed academic, research and workforce training spaces,” said Evon Peter, UAF vice chancellor for rural, community and Native education. “Most of the construction and renovations costs were paid for by grant funding from the United States Department of Education. Now, Northwest Campus is better positioned to serve students, residents, communities and businesses within the Bering Strait region.”

Metcalf joined UAF after years in the airline industry, where he worked weekends, unusual hours, holidays and even busier summers.  He started out as registration coordinator at Northwest Campus and was later appointed acting campus director by Vice Chancellor Bernice Joseph in 2011. He served as interim campus director and then appointed campus director in January 2013.

“I came to Northwest Campus because I wanted a consistent work schedule that allowed more time with my family," said Metcalf. “However, it wasn’t long before I realized how valuable the campus was to those seeking education and academic achievement and understood how important my position as registration coordinator actually was. I have benefited more from working with our students than I could ever return. I’m forever thankful for the confidence Vice Chancellor Bernice Joseph had in appointing me campus director with the goal of bringing the position back to the region and making it a worthy leadership position within the regional community. I hope this is now the case.”

Originally from Pennsylvania, Metcalf moved to Alaska 42 years ago after graduating from Washington and Lee University, a private university in Virginia. He took a job opportunity in Nome because it seemed like an exciting place to start a new adventure.

“It wasn’t long though before I met an amazing person who became my wife, Vera,” said Metcalf. “Beyond our life together, the greatest privilege that I have had is being included as part of her incredible family on St. Lawrence Island. Most of what has driven my work at Northwest Campus is grounded there.”

Metcalf said the Nome campus is actively helping the Bering Straits region adapt to the changing climate and environmental conditions.

“I believe strongly in the people and communities of this region,” said Metcalf. “There are major changes occurring in our environment that are directly impacting us. Some are very disruptive, and others are opportunities, but I see the Bering Strait region working together for each other. This is what makes Northwest Campus remarkable, that it is here and part of this effort. The campus has staff and faculty who are not simply doing a job, but who are committed to making a meaningful difference in our communities.”