RaLyssa Harris appointed RRANN program coordinator
by Jordana Newman |
The University of Alaska Anchorage Recruitment and Retention of Alaska Natives into Nursing (RRANN) program has named RaLyssa Harris its new program coordinator.
In her new position, Harris will continue with RRANN’s mission to recruit and retain Alaska Natives and Native Americans in nursing and strengthen outreach to community campuses.
“My recruitment vision for RRANN is to partner with other support organizations, like AHEC and ANSEP, to build a pathway that will lead high school students directly into UAA and the Nursing program,” Harris says. “One way I hope to accomplish this is to build a community for RRANN students to support them through their education and beyond.”
Harris joins the RRANN program with nearly 10 years of experience in higher education. She graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University with a bachelor's degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in American Studies. After moving to Alaska, she began working at UAA in 2018 as an academic advisor in the College of Health student success center. She has extensive experience in academic advising in many programs, but most recently in nursing and other College of Health majors at UAA.
“I was able to develop a familiarity with nursing at UAA, and I am excited to bring that experience to support RRANN students in my new role,” Harris says. “I am passionate about serving students. This position gives me the opportunity to support indigenous nursing students as we work towards a common goal of ensuring Native student success and increasing representation in the healthcare workforce.”
Harris can be reached at rntaylor@alaska.edu.