Meet Our Team!

Donald has been working at UAF as a staff member for 12 years, 8 of which have been spent as a comprehensive academic advisor. He has previously worked at the Academic Advising Center and Student Support Services. Donald has also taught public speaking courses at UAF as an adjunct professor for 10 years. He originally came from Southern California to UAF 18 years ago as an undergraduate only planning on staying for a year. But as with so many others, he immediately fell in love with the UAF and Fairbanks communities and has never once regretted his decision to move. Donald graduated with a Bachelor’s in English and History, 7th-12th grade teaching credential, and an MA in Professional Communication. In his free time Donald serves on the Board of Directors for Bread Line, Inc. and the Fairbanks Children’s Museum. He also is a ring announcer and color commentator for 907 Wrestling Academy. Donald is very excited to be a part of the RSS staff and the continued opportunities to support students in higher education.

Hello! My name is Shaelene, and I come from Naknek, AK. I grew up commercial fishing and the last couple of years I have been focusing more on subsistence and gathering. I graduated from UAF in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Rural Development focusing on Community Health and Wellness. I enjoy hiking, biking, and camping outdoors when I can with my three dogs and partner. I have a background in advocating for gender justice, environmental justice, and protecting Alaska Native ways of life. I am so excited to be working with students and supporting them in their college experience. 

Kevin grew up in the heart of Silicon Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2017, Kevin moved northward from California to Fairbanks in pursuit of a sense of wonder and achieved it by completing his Bachelors degree here at UAF in Anthropology and Political Science. Kevin has been seen around campus from running the student radio station KSUA 91.5 FM, coordinating intramural sports at the gym, and here at RSS helping lead the dorm staff for RAHI. Outside of work, Kevin’s perfect day includes waking up to NPR, listening to music, going for a long walk, playing volleyball/basketball, coaching the Effie Kokrine Junior High Volleyball team and wrapping up the day with a movie and/or a scrumptious meal. Kevin will serve as a Degree Completion and Special Projects Advisor and looks forward to supporting RSS students.

Qimalleq Teter is Yup'ik and Cup'ik from St. Mary's, with family ties to Chevak, Emmonak, Bethel, and Minto. They are a proud alum of Mt. Edgecumbe High School and the University of Alaska Fairbanks with a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies, combining Education and Alaska Native Studies. Qimalleq has taught the Alaska Native Dance class for the College of Indigenous Studies since 2022 and has a strong passion for sharing and learning cultural knowledge. They love beading, traditional drumming and dancing, being on the land, and spending time with their family. 

Paġlagivsi! My name is Marita Ticket and I am the Indigenous Wellness Coordinator at Rural Student Services. My family and I are Inupiaq from Selawik, Alaska. As a recent grad, I obtained two BA degrees in Social Work and Inupiaq Language. I am passionate about wellness, healing, and growth and outside of the office, I enjoy working out and sitting at my piano writing music. 

I have worked at RSS for the past few years and enjoy being involved in cultivating connection and community among students. As an Alaska Native first-generation student myself, I look forward to supporting our Indigenous students attending UAF and helping them navigate their undergrad journeys through wellness and resilience!

An alumna of the Rural Alaska Honors Institute and Dot Lake High School, Deanna Fitzgerald earned her Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences at UAF and most recently graduated from the Doyon Leadership Training program.

Deanna has worked the last 15 years in the Office of Human Resources, Biology and Wildlife Department, College of Natural Science and Mathematics Division of Research, and most recently in the Signers' Business Office. Before UAF, she worked for Tanana Chiefs Conference for seven years.

She enjoys outdoor activities such as: hiking, skiing, floating and boating. She also enjoys traditional activities: picking berries and wild rhubarb, fishing, hunting, beading, singing Athabascan songs and attending potlatches.

Laurie Trotta is the Graduate Success Coordinator for the UAF College of Indigenous Studies, where she is responsible for overseeing the academic advising of graduate students throughout their graduate school lifecycle, from prospective student status through graduation. On a mission to help students achieve their aspirations and goals, she is focused on providing all the support a student needs, advocating for students, and creating a welcome and supportive environment for all.</p> <p>Prior to taking on this role, she was the Coordinator for the Department of Tribal Governance for 3 years. Before joining the Tribal Governance team, Trotta spent 6 years working as a Coordinator with the Migrant Education Program supporting students and their families living a subsistence lifestyle. She has dedicated her career to education helping students reach their highest potential by finding the path that best suits them and to the sustainability of the natural environment.

Trotta started her career as a fish biologist, aquaculturist, and aquatic ecologist before moving on to teach a variety of aquaculture, aquatic science, and renewable resource courses and advise students in the Environmental Sciences academic programs. She also advised a student Outdoor Recreation Club for 12 years and did everything from backpacking in the Adirondack Mountains to exploring Denali National Park and surfing in Costa Rica.

After 22 years of university service at New York State Agriculture and Technology colleges, Laurie moved to Fairbanks, a longtime second home that is now her primary home. In her spare time, she likes to spend time out of doors with her dogs, hiking, paddling, fishing, and berry picking. Indoors, she enjoys cooking, needle crafts, drawing, or reading.