Welcome, New Faculty!

We’re excited to have you joining our community! It can be overwhelming to navigate all of the opportunities and responsibilities of a new faculty position, but we’re here to help you find your path at UAA. Explore the resources below to learn more about your colleagues, our students, professional support and development, and the diverse range of UAA’s research and creative strengths.

Meet Our Colleagues

  • Nina Ketelsen, Nursing

    Nina Ketelsen

    "I started working with another UAA nursing instructor and discovered I loved teaching. Health care professionals are exhausted right now and we need to teach the next generation to make sure everyone has the support they need. As an experienced bedside nurse, sharing those skills with students lets me contribute to our profession while instilling compassion for themselves and others."

  • Juergen Sidgman, Accounting

    Juergen Sidgman
    "UAA has the best stuff I’ve seen for faculty development and support. #Pivot was super useful for designing my online courses, getting into Blackboard, and inclusive teaching. Headwaters, the new faculty group, had interesting conversations and helped me cope with professional pressures."

  • Cammie Hsu, Prince William Sound College

    Cammie Hsu
    "Moving to Prince William Sound College has been a great adventure and learning opportunity! This has been a chance to spend more time with my family and explore Alaska. I like to travel and I’ve visited over 30 states. I am very honored to be part of UAA!"

  • Raghu Srinivasan, Mechanical Engineering

    Raghu Srinivasan
    "Placed on top of the world, we have unique challenges and opportunities to do many types of research people in the Lower 48 can’t do, so we’re at the forefront of Arctic engineering and climate change issues. I mentor a lot of undergraduate students doing research, who move on to R1 graduate programs. When they get their wings and we see how they fly, that’s really rewarding!"

  • Andrew Harnish, Writing

    Andrew Harnish
    "I’ve worked at three universities since finishing graduate school in 2019. Without a doubt, UAA has been the most welcoming, inclusive, and supportive of the bunch. My students are eager to learn and engaged with their work, and my colleagues are full of insight. One of my great joys as a professor of writing is helping students integrate their voices and community experiences into their writing. Welcome to UAA."

  • Panigkaq Agatha John-Shields, Education

    Panigkaq Agatha John-Shields and father
    "My work at UAA brings students’ and community wisdom together. My father, Chief Kangrilnguq Paul John, taught us to integrate Indigenous and non-Indigenous worldviews: 'I hope that Yupiit and Kass’at begin to understand each other… It would be much better if we understand one another and not fight and resist each other… If we integrate the teachings of the Yupiit and the Kass’at, their knowledge will be greater.'"

  • Vanessa Meade, Social Work

    Vanessa Meade
    "Our work makes a huge impact in Alaska, where we have a small population and close connections with each other. As a veteran, I appreciate this chance to continue to serve my community at UAA. Alaska has one of the highest percentages of veterans in the country. Working together, we can make big changes!"

 

Get Started

New Faculty Resources

 Visit our New Faculty Resources page for resources and information to organize your first semester (or year!) at UAA.

  • New employee onboarding
  • New Faculty Orientation (August)
  • Headwaters for new and junior faculty (Fall semester)
  • UAA Teaching Academy
  • Course design guidance and support
  • Faculty learning communities

Not UAA faculty yet? Visit our page for prospective faculty to learn more about joining the UAA community.

Meet Our Students

We are proud to be an open-access institution that serves first-time, returning, transfer, dual-enrollment, full-time, and part-time students. Many of our students are the first generation in their family to pursue a degree, English language learners, supporting families, veterans, active service members, low-income, and/or working professionals. 90% of our students come from Alaska, with the rest joining from around the globe. Our faculty benefit from the rich life experiences students bring to UAA!

UAA is:

Research and Outreach

UAA faculty produce meaningful and innovative research, creative projects, and community outreach. Faculty in programs like the Institute of Social and Economic Research and the Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies work on understanding critical issues for Alaska and other Arctic communities, while colleagues across the institution produce new insights on topics ranging from early modern Spain to bees to restorative justice. In addition, many faculty partner with community organizations, contribute to policy initiatives, and conduct educational outreach to the next generation of scholars.

Assistance

Please contact us for assistance planning your courses, connecting with colleagues, and building your career path! UAA faculty also stay informed on our professional development opportunities, events, and resources through our monthly newsletter.

Faculty Development & Instructional Support 
Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence, Academic Innovations & eLearning, and Center for Community Engagement and Learning 
Library 213 • (907) 786-4496 • uaa_ai@alaska.edu • Mon – Fri, 8a – 5p