Due to unsafe road conditions for Anchorage and surrounding areas, UAA’s Anchorage campus will be on a delayed start today, Thursday, Dec. 4. Campus will open at 10 a.m. to allow for safer travel.
Serving up appreciation: volleyball athletes honor COH faculty on the court
by Alison Miller |
On September 27, the women’s volleyball team at UAA kicked off their match against Saint Martin’s with a heartfelt tribute. Before the game, players invited their chosen faculty members to join them on the court, honoring them during Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night. Among the honorees were four standout educators from the College of Health, each nominated by students who wanted to recognize their impact in the classroom and beyond.
Kinesiology major Avery Northcutt celebrated Professor Lindsey Marsaw
Avery Northcutt, a senior in Professor Marsaw’s “Current Issues in Health and Wellness” course, highlighted Professor Marsaw for her engaging lectures and her supportive attitude towards students.
“Lindsey makes every class fun with her interactive lectures that keep all of her students engaged and excited to learn,” said Avery. “She is also such a sweet and caring person, which makes her class feel welcoming and special. She truly cares about all of her students and that showed last semester when I was going through surgery and recovery. Thank you for being an amazing teacher as well as an amazing person, Professor Marsaw.”
Criminology and Criminal Justice double major Bella Burney celebrated Professor Emily Waters
Bella Burney is a junior taking Professor Waters’s “Criminal Law” course. She appreciates that Professor Waters puts effort into making classes enjoyable, and that she takes an interest in students’ lives outside the classroom.
“I chose to celebrate her at our volleyball faculty appreciation night because she is a very supportive and understanding professor,” said Bella. “She has been very supportive of me in the classroom and on the volleyball court, which I appreciate very much! I enjoy having Professor Waters as a teacher because she makes our class content interesting to learn about and is really accommodating of my volleyball travel schedule.”
Kinesiology major Lee Ivakina celebrated Professor Holly Coffey
Junior Lee Ivakina is currently enrolled in Professor Coffey’s “Introduction to Kinesiology and Fundamentals of Biomechanics” course. She noted Professor Coffey’s welcoming classroom atmosphere and her habit of playing music before class.
“I chose Professor Coffey because she is dedicated and passionate about her job,” said Lee. “She explains hard concepts with ease and her classes are entertaining. She cares about students and has a good music taste.”
Undeclared major Trinity Byrne celebrated Professor Amanda Metivier
Trinity Byrne, a freshman in Professor Metivier’s “Social Work” class, admires her teacher’s compassion and dedication. These qualities, along with Professor Metivier’s genuine care for her students, inspired her choice to spotlight Professor Metivier.
“I chose professor Metivier because from the first day in class she had already opened my mind to many new concepts and ideas,” said Trinity. “She is one of the people who you can tell isn’t just there to teach but is there to make a difference in your everyday life. Her care for the world and well-being of it pushes me every day and gives me so much hope in becoming a future social worker.”
About the faculty
Lindsey Marsaw, PTA, CSCS, ASTYM, SFMA, FMS is an Assistant Professor in the School of Preventive and Therapeutic Sciences at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA). She teaches in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and Kinesiology programs, focusing on connecting classroom learning to clinical practice and movement science. Lindsey also serves on the Board of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) as a Physical Therapist Assistant Representative, advocating for educational excellence and professional advancement. Originally from Port Angeles, Washington, she brings a background in athletic performance, clinical rehabilitation, and higher education. Outside of academia, Lindsey enjoys Alaska’s outdoor lifestyle, snowboarding, surfing, motorcycling, and spending time with her family, friends, and her German Shepherd, Gabe.
Emily Waters holds Bachelor’s degrees in public policy and economics, a Master’s degree in political science and a Juris Doctorate degree. She was raised in Logan, Utah by a mother who was a professor in Nutrition at Utah State University and a father who was a criminal defense attorney. She taught as an adjunct professor in the Political Science department in 2005 and has worked as a teacher in various volunteer and professional groups over the years. Most recently, she worked as a prosecutor for the Municipality of Anchorage, but prior to that she worked for a couple of decades in various civil law fields, including child protection, family law, child advocacy, disability law, immigration law, international law, estate planning and securities law. She came to Alaska in 2002 as an Air Force Judge Advocate General for a three-year tour, and never left. She served in the military at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona (where she met her husband), Osan Air Base (South Korea), and Elmendorf Air Force Base. Throughout her military service, she prosecuted courts martial. She also did various externships and short-term work assignments in criminal law, including working for Utah County Public Defender’s Office during law school. Professor Waters also has various interests and hobbies, including doing easy triathlons, writing fiction and non-fiction books, hiking/biking/camping, playing the piano, clarinet and organ, making quilts, and traveling.
Holly Coffey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Utah Valley University and a Master of Science from California State University in Long Beach.
Amanda Metivier (BSW 2008, MSW 2012) is a two-time graduate of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), School of Social Work. She is the Executive Director of Facing Foster Care in Alaska, a foster youth-led nonprofit, and an adjunct faculty for the School of Social Work. Amanda, an alumni of Alaska’s foster care system, has dedicated her career and personal life to child welfare reform. She served as a foster/adoptive parent to teens for more than a decade. Amanda’s career includes extensive direct service work with adolescence, program development, child welfare education and training and policy reform. Her work to amplify youth voice has been recognized. She received the Casey Excellence for Children Award, was named one of Alaska’s Top 40 Under 40, was recognized by Alaska Children’s Trust as a Champion for Kids, was honored by the YWCA as a Woman of Achievement, was named one of Treehouse Foundation's Champions for Re-Envisioning Foster Care in in America, and was recognized by the University of Alaska Anchorage as an Alumni of Distinction.
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