The scent of sweet barbeque in the afternoon sun wafted through Delaney Park during the City-wide Juneteenth festival. Hundreds of families and friends gathered to enjoy live music and explore booths from local businesses and artists. Juneteenth marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States on June 19th, 1865. 

It’s one of two June festivals UAA’s College of Health participated in to celebrate diversity. Rose Shoulders, Student Recruitment Specialist for the College of Health, smiled brightly from behind UAA’s booth and passed out university swag. Participation in events like these is part of the university’s effort to make students feel like they belong. 

“When young people and community members see university faculty and staff that look like them or speak their language, it can have a tremendous impact,” Shoulders said. “They may think, maybe this career can be for me, too. Maybe this degree program is something I can also do. It sends a message that they, too, belong.”

The city-wide celebration ended June 19th with a closing ceremony on the UAA campus. Local artists and activists gave presentations educating the attendees on African American history specific to Alaska. Community members even took to the UAA stage themselves, performing in a gospel choir with singer Brent Jones. “The three days were the best Juneteenth events I've ever been to, and I've been to Juneteenth in New York, Florida and in Georgia,” said Yvette Rodgers, Administrative Specialist for the Division of Population Health Sciences. 

UAA returned to Delaney Park on June 24th to join an event celebrating Pride month and the progress LGBTQIA2S+ has made towards equity. Crowds cheered as people paraded down the street carrying inclusive, colorful flags. Nicole Clementi, program director of UAA’s Surgical Technology program, wore a rainbow flower crown with matching rainbow hearts painted on her cheeks. 

“As part of the LGBTQ+ community, I want to be visible to the students because when I was younger I didn’t have that kind of support,” said Clementi,. As mentors, Clementi said university employees help set a foundation for a student's career. Many College of Health graduates go on to serve diverse community members in healthcare fields.

“When we step into these facilities, we need to feel like we’re not going to be judged or looked at differently. Eventually, we all need healthcare. We need to feel safe in those environments, like we’re just humans,” said Clementi.  “We’re all the same.”

The university is taking steps to make sure Alaska’s diverse community is represented through students and employees. The effort is part of UAA’s 2027 strategic plan to make the UAA more inclusive. “The College of Health is committed to creating a space where every student, faculty, and staff member feels a sense of belonging - including those from historically marginalized groups,” said College of Health Dean, Debbie Craig. Craig said showing up at events like Juneteenth and Pride demonstrates the college’s commitment to community members.

 

• All COH Stories
• Student Stories
• Research
• Events and Highlights
• Alumni
  In the News

• Awards
• Behavioral Health
• Community
  COVID-19
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Department of Human Services
• Division of Population Health Sciences
• Justice Center
• School of Allied Health
  School of Nursing
  School of Social Work

• Creighton University/UAA Occupational Therapy Program
• UAA-ISU Doctor of Pharmacy Program
• WWAMI School of Medicine

• Alaska Center for Rural Health and Health Workforce
• Center for Human Development
• Child Welfare Academy
• Interprofessional Health Sciences Simulation Center

• Media Inquiries
• Content Experts
• Content & Story Leads
• Spotlight Questionnaires