Students bring rural Alaska voices to Juneau

Feb. 26, 2026

Ten UAF–Bristol Bay Campus students traveled to Juneau from Jan. 19-23 for an intensive, hands‑on look at the Alaska legislative process through RD F492: The Legislative Process, taught by Mike Davis, associate professor, emeritus, and ABUS F183: Career Exploration – Amplify Your Voice, taught by Kathy Kysar, assistant professor of English.

Students met with nearly half of the Alaska Legislature, along with staff, commissioners and lobbyists to discuss priorities such as coastal erosion, education funding, renewable energy, transportation and the importance of rural media. These conversations helped students refine their 2- 3‑minute elevator speeches and gain confidence in communicating with policymakers.

A highlight of the week was a traditional foods potluck hosted on Thursday evening, where students shared dishes from their home communities with legislators – creating space for cultural connection and deeper discussion.

By week’s end, students reported feeling empowered, better informed and more prepared to engage in Alaska’s civic process.