Josh Hovis

Wood Center for Student Engagement Director

Ronnie Houchin

Associate Director of Programming

Ronnie made the trek north to Alaska in 2011. Originally from Indiana, Ronnie first worked at Prince William Sound College in Valdez, AK before joining the Wood Center team in 2014. After a few years in UAF's Admissions office, Ronnie returned to the Wood Center in 2018, taking the role of ASUAF advisor. As the associate director of programming, Ronnie continues to work with ASUAF, KSUA and Polaris and also supports the Office of Sustainability and the Nanook Diversity and Action Center. Ronnie is passionate about inclusion and loves helping students solve problems and achieve their goals.

Edward Tinajero

Associate Director of Operations and Auxiliaries

Edward Tinajero is a dedicated individual with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (2017) and a Master's of Business Administration (2020) from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Since his arrival in Fairbanks, Edward has consistently demonstrated his passion and commitment by serving in various student employee and staff positions within the university. As the Operations Manager at the Center for Student Engagement, Edward's expertise lies in change management, skillfully adapting to the ever-changing landscape of the university environment. Edward oversees the Information Desk, Polar Alley, and the Wood Center building operations.

Casey Scroggins

Pub Manager

Casey Scroggins is a successful individual known for his humorous thinking and ability to inspire teams to achieve their goals. Casey is excited to be working with students and collaborating with campus and community partners. Casey really enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with his family.

Hudson Bolduc

Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator at Nanook Diversity and Action Center

Hudson moved to Fairbanks, Alaska from California back in 2016. He graduated from UAF during COVID in 2020 with his Bachelors of Science and completed his Masters in Business Administration from UAF in 2022. When Hudson is not at work you can catch him snowboarding or camping depending upon the season. Hudson is the Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator for the Nanook Diversity and Action Center. He strives to create a campus culture of respect where all students can be their authentic selves. Hudson is the advisor for the Students of Color Association, advises the Nanook Diversity Action Center Council, leads students through the Virgie Dunlap King Academy for Social Change, and puts on programming for First-Generation college students. He provides professional development opportunities for students, staff, and faculty via trainings such as Gender Inclusion 101, Safe Zone, QPR Suicide Prevention, and more. He also organizes Lavender Graduation and helps plan the First-Gen Cording Ceremony. If you have questions about how to get involved with UAF's diverse campus culture, come down to wood center suite 101m and Hudson can help you get involved with student life here at UAF.

Julia Aikman (She/Her)

Prevention and Wellness Coordinator at Nanook Diversity and Action Center

Julia is a recent transplant from the Oregon Coast! Julia has her Bachelors of Arts in Opera Performance and also has her Master's in Music Therapy. She has been working in the field of Domestic/Sexual Violence Crisis Intervention/Prevention since 2010. Julia is a certified facilitator in Green Dot-Bystander Intervention Strategies. She is also skilled in facilitating therapeutic arts-support groups for survivors of trauma. Julia is passionate about creating a community of prevention and health promotion. She offers presentations to UAF students, staff and faculty. Some topics of presentations are: suicide prevention, alcohol & other drug misuse prevention, healthy relationships, bystander intervention and wellness. Julia is also a co-organizer of the UAF Prevention Alliance; made up of staff and faculty who are wanting to promote health and safety on campus.

Julia believes in youth empowerment, self-determination and intergenerational learning.

If you would like Julia and NDAC to present to your club/department/class; or if you would like to volunteer or get involved in prevention/wellness activities, please email her.

RJ Mikulski

Marketing Manager

@nanookengage

Christi Kemper

Sustainability Coordinator

Christi was born and raised in Denver, Colorado and moved to Alaska in 2010. She has been helping UAF students incorporate sustainability into campus life and the greater community since 2013 and is honored to work for one of the most unique and student-driven sustainability programs in the country. The Office of Sustainability currently houses the UAF Recycling pickups program, the Green Bikes shop, the UAF FreeStore, the Wood Center Food Pantry, the Upcycle Annex, and the Nanook Grown program.  If you have an idea to make the UAF community more sustainable give her a call - she'll let you know how to make it happen!

Alanna (uh-lay-nuh) Greenwell

Student Leadership and Involvement Coordinator

Alanna is a UAF 2022 graduate and received a Bachelors of Arts in Communication with a minor in Outdoor Leadership. She has actively been involved on the Troth Yeddha campus as a student and student employee since 2019, and worked within the Center for Student Engagement and Nanook Recreation before graduating and returning as professional staff. As a student, Alanna served in leadership positions within the Alaska Alpine Club, and continues to work closely with all UAF student organizations as part of her work. She currently serves as the advisor to Club Council and manages the Nanook Engage platform. Through SLI, Alanna offers a spring leadership course, First Year Leadership Academy, provides students with volunteer opportunities such as Saturdays for Service and oversees the C.O.L.D (Co-Curricular Opportunities for Leadership Development) program.

Gretchen Bates

Student Activities and Orientation Coordinator

Gretchen moved to Fairbanks in the Spring of 2023, from the Raleigh, North Carolina area. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Neuroscience from Christopher Newport University and her Masters of Education in Student Affairs from Clemson University. As the Student Activities and Orientation Coordinator, Gretchen hosts late night and weekend programming for all UAF students, coordinates the reservation of Arctic Java, advises the Nanook Traditions Board, and coordinates New Student Orientation for incoming Nanooks. Gretchen strives to help create an environment where all students can feel a sense of belonging at UAF.

Drake Richards

Esports Coordinator

Drake comes to the Wood Center from Raleigh, North Carolina. Receiving a Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development at Rochester Institute of Technology, Drake has a deep appreciation for local gaming communities and has been running local esports events since 2017. As the esports coordinator at UAF, Drake is excited to foster and develop UAF Esports around growth, inclusivity and compassion.