Faculty Spotlight: Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart
Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart is Assistant Professor and Department Chair of the Alaska Native Studies Department. Professor Shaginoff-Stuart is Ahtna Dene of the taltsiine (water clan) and Pyramid Lake Paiute of the cui-ui ticutta (fish-eaters). She is also a Nay'dini'aa Na' Kayax (Chickaloon Native Village) Tribal citizen. Professor Shaginoff-Stuart is a standing committee member on the Kenaitze Indian Tribe’s Education Committee, a board member on the Benteh/Nuutah Valley Native Primary Care Center Joint Operating Board, and the Ce’yiits Hwnax LifeHouse Community Health Center Advisory Committee. Professor Shaginoff-Stuart received her MA in 2016 from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in Applied Linguistics, Second Language Acquisition Teaching. Since beginning her career at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Professor Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart has been giving back, donating to her department and the university using payroll deduction.
Sondra Shaginoff-Stuart sat down with us to discuss her time at the university, her decision to give back to the Alaska Native Studies Department, and why giving back is important to her.
Why did you decide to give back to the University of Alaska Anchorage and the Alaska Native Studies Department?
“I thought it was a good way to give back to the places where I have learned. Over the years, I have gotten so much from the university through my education, through the scholarships that I have received. In my mind, it is a good way to give back to the university that gave to me.
I love knowing that my donations go right back to the students. I have a lot of students who want to finish their education, but they just don’t have the money. Giving back like this is a good way to foster our current students and also bring up the next students. I had a lot of help and I love that I am giving back to help those students that have come after me.”
There are a couple of options when deciding how to donate to UAA, including one time gifts or giving drives. Why did you decide to give through payroll deduction instead of the other options?
“I knew it would happen every payday and I wanted to make sure to give enough. I also liked knowing that once I got paid, I was immediately giving back. Part of the time I put in is giving back right away.
It is really easy to do, if you are a faculty or staff member. When you are onboarding and completing your paperwork, it is an option you have available. When I was registering for my position, the payroll deduction was one of the things I did right away. I wanted to be consistent in how I gave back, and I like that I don't have to think about it anymore. I know that I am giving back.”
How do you see the impacts of your giving?
“A lot of it is in the students. There are students that are struggling or have this desire to finish their education. The impacts are that these students feel like they are being supported financially. I know that I always give my time but sometimes it is financial support that people need. Even little gifts, given to support students, let them know that somebody gave to help them, and that someone believes in them.”
Are you glad that you are giving back in this way?
“Yes. For sure! I’d actually like to give more, especially after hearing directly about how it goes straight to the students. It is impactful to know that these gifts are not just for keeping things going with facilities. It is for our students. We are all here for the students, but I really feel it is important to support them financially, not just academically.”
What would you tell others- faculty, staff, alumni- about your giving experience?
“Giving back is part of our culture. It is really important that you give back, because you never know what that support is going to do. Education is a really hard thing to want to do for yourself, and providing support so that someone else can achieve what you have…helps them, which will lead to them impacting others.
Supporting the university, supporting the college, supporting a department? It has lasting impacts. I think people forget that the university is in the center of this community and that it supports the community. It is really important to know that the university is here and that it supports so many people and so many backgrounds.”
Thank you, Sondra, for all you do and for your continued support!