Paula Williams J.D., Ph.D.
Director
Office: PSB 103C
Phone: 907-786-1515
Email: pwilliams@uaa.alaska.edu
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Biography
On January 5, 2009 I was privileged to become the first Sustainability Director at the University of Alaska, Anchorage. I completed my Interdisciplinary Ph.D. through the University of Alaska Fairbanks and graduated in May of 2009. My academic work has focused on the interaction between humans and their environment, specifically on the influences on human perception of change, and on our willingness to adapt. This continues to be my passion, as well as finding ways to motivate people to increase adaptive capacity.
My dissertation is titled “The Role of Social Paradigm in Human Perception and Response to Environmental Change.” My research led naturally to working as Sustainability Director here at UAA because it examines the interactions between the biophysical environment and human social systems, which is also the focus of sustainability.
Although the degree was issued by Fairbanks, I completed my course work and research here at UAA. The last year and a half of work on my dissertation was supported by a fellowship provided by the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) through the National Science Foundation. Prior to receiving the fellowship, I worked as a Research Associate for UAA’s Resilience and Adaptive Management (RAM) Group for about two years. Working for the RAM Group allowed me to participate in research investigating the perceptions that people living in small communities in the Norton Sound area have of their subsistence resources and water. Additionally, I focused on mining research while working with the RAM Group.
In a prior life, I was an attorney in Anchorage for about 20 years. During my last eight years as an attorney I worked for state and municipal agencies that enforce the laws prohibiting discrimination.
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Theresa Cho
Administrative Assistant & Research Associate
Office: PSB 103C
Phone: 907-786-4634
Email: tdcho@uaa.alaska.edu
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Biography
 Hello to all! I joined the Office of Sustainability in the Summer of 2011. Every day I continue to learn more and more about the many small and non-invasive changes we can make in our lives to reduce, reuse, and conserve. I strongly believe in protecting the environment and that small lifestyle changes have the potential to become major differences.
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Anthony Malapanis
Recycle Crew Director
Office: PSB 103C
Phone: 907-715-9656
Email: uaa_recycle@uaa.alaska.edu
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Biography
I am from Phoenix, AZ but I have lived in Alaska for over 20 years and it is definitely home to me. I am a mechanical engineering student at UAA close to graduating and I became a Recycle Assistant to the Office of Sustainability and then Recycle Director in the Spring of 2013. Recycling is important to me and it makes me happy to be able to help others at UAA recycle too!
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Samuel Dinges
Recycle crew member
Office: Sustainability
Phone: 786-4634
Email: uaa_recycle@uaa.alaska.edu
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Biography
I majored in history and minored in music at UAA. My favorite pastimes include skiing, playing piano, and ocean kayaking. Eventual goals include visiting Russia, working in the Smithsonian, and biking from Alaska to Argentina.
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Aaron Schmidt
Recycle crew member
Office: Sustainability
Phone: 786-4634
Email: uaa_recycle@uaa.alaska.edu
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Biography
I'm originally from Alaska, however I was raised in Washington. I always knew I would return to Alaska, and after I graduated high school in 2009 I packed my bags and made my way north. I spent a few years working dead-end jobs then finally decided to enroll myself in classes at UAA. My major is computer and networking technology although that may change as I gain more diverse experiences in school. I joined the Office of Sustainability because I felt a need to do some real good for my community, I'm concerned about the impact we have on our environment, and to raise awareness about recycling in our state. I enjoy spending time outdoors and I'd like future generations to be able to enjoy the same privilege!
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