tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37579988302373619592024-03-12T16:47:54.767-08:00CTC InsiderThe official news blog of the UAA Community & Technical CollegeEditor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-48266990809916749792018-02-19T13:21:00.004-09:002018-02-19T13:21:52.375-09:00<h2>
Alaska's Superintendent of the skies</h2>
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CTC is extremely proud of our numerous successful alumni. They hold positions in industry, government, education and non-profit sectors throughout our great state.</div>
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A recent article in the UAA Green & Gold features Aviation Management alumnus ('02) Jeremy Worrall, who serves as the DOT statewide Superintendent for airport security and safety.</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SDLuxCaYnr8/WotNuYSNtoI/AAAAAAAACKA/ffyQ1rdEzEUUPzT75fMuF6hEmhU5DiX0gCLcBGAs/s1600/180216-JEREMY-WORRALL-JRE-0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="UAA Aviation Management alumnus Jeremy Worrall" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="597" height="214" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SDLuxCaYnr8/WotNuYSNtoI/AAAAAAAACKA/ffyQ1rdEzEUUPzT75fMuF6hEmhU5DiX0gCLcBGAs/s320/180216-JEREMY-WORRALL-JRE-0014.jpg" title="Jeremy Worrall" width="320" /></a></div>
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Read the full story in the <a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/61730/alaskas-superintendent-skies/?a" target="_blank">UAA Green & Gold</a>. </div>
Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-60973068024621627912018-02-12T13:12:00.000-09:002018-02-19T13:16:14.664-09:00<br />
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Today's Assignment: Repair this snowcat</h2>
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The latest UAA Green & Gold story highlights yet another important aspect of CTC programs--our deep and pervasive ties to a wide variety of industries and community organizations. Our Diesel Technology program partners with numerous entities to provide real world learning for our students.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hp4YKJ4uxRY/WotLmm7S3uI/AAAAAAAACJ0/VmvidYTQlcoWYk59-StHgZu4yYdxWXBewCLcBGAs/s1600/20171026-AUTO-TECH-JRE-149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="UAA Diesel students repair a Snowcat for Actic Valley Ski area" border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="574" height="222" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hp4YKJ4uxRY/WotLmm7S3uI/AAAAAAAACJ0/VmvidYTQlcoWYk59-StHgZu4yYdxWXBewCLcBGAs/s320/20171026-AUTO-TECH-JRE-149.jpg" title="Diesel repair" width="320" /></a></div>
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Read the full story in the <a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/60866/todays-assignment-repair-snowcat/" target="_blank">UAA Green & Gold blog</a>.<br />
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<br />Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-86914466973489076482017-04-21T08:39:00.001-08:002017-04-21T08:39:06.723-08:00<br />
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<b>It's definitely not a toy....Auto/Diesel program accepts donation of 2016 Corvette </b></h3>
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Read all about it in the latest edition of the UAA GreenandGold:<br />
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<a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/53420/corvette/" target="_blank">http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/53420/corvette/ </a>Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-10720224133592677972017-03-24T09:36:00.000-08:002017-03-24T09:36:33.498-08:00<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The Newest Way to "Play It Safe" </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>UAA Launches New Bachelor's Degree in Occupational Safety & Health</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many students today are interested in pursuing careers in the health-related fields. But relatively few know about one of the career opportunities that presents both exciting challenges in the daily work and solid job growth prospects both in Alaska and the U.S.: Occupational Safety & Health, or OSH.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Occupational Safety & Health technicians, specialists, and managers are in demand in every industry. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Occupational health and safety professionals review work environments looking for factors that could affect employee health, safety, comfort, and performance. The results can include greater work productivity, lowering insurance premiums and workers’ compensation payments and by preventing government fines. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Some specialists develop and conduct employee safety and training programs. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition to protecting workers, safety professionals work to prevent harm to property, the environment, and the public by inspecting workplaces for chemical, physical, radiological, and biological hazards. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HhlL0iyY02k/WMMr1b1WFyI/AAAAAAAACIo/r1_iwXPkMREl8StRebe2XLg-z63QOb-0QCLcB/s1600/AGrant.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="headshot of Assistant Professor of OSH Al Grant" border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HhlL0iyY02k/WMMr1b1WFyI/AAAAAAAACIo/r1_iwXPkMREl8StRebe2XLg-z63QOb-0QCLcB/s200/AGrant.tiff" title="Al Grant, Assistant Professor of OSH" width="154" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif; text-align: start;">In addition to the Associates of Applied Science degree in OSH, UAA was recently approved to offer the only OSH Bachelor's degree in Alaska. Students who already have an AAS in OSH or a related field, or those who have a 2-year degree in a general field such as science, can apply all or most of their previous credits toward completion of the bachelors degree. And students who are just beginning their studies can complete the degree--either in person or via online and distance classes--in as little as four years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif; text-align: start;">Assistant Professors Al Grant (pictured at left) and Phillip Galloway will lead the program, which begins accepting new student applications on March 15, 2017.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "\22 arial\22 " , "\22 helvetica\22 " , sans-serif; text-align: start;">For more information, please see the department's website at <a href="https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/community-and-technical-college/departments/construction-design-and-safety/academics/occupational-safety-health/index.cshtml" target="_blank">https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/community-and-technical-college/departments/construction-design-and-safety/academics/occupational-safety-health/index.cshtml</a> or call them at 907-786-6465.</span></div>
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Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-42896106244324950232017-03-21T10:50:00.000-08:002017-03-24T10:53:44.091-08:00<br />
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CTC's Automotive Program Ranked Among The 20 Best Automotive Mechanic Schools!</h2>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--j7re3-IXDQ/WNVqDLzhbjI/AAAAAAAACJA/mbnSegSGzZw5Ufd4UxHQjTfuWBCqNcQLACLcB/s1600/AutomotiveAd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="UAA Automotive student at work on an engine" border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--j7re3-IXDQ/WNVqDLzhbjI/AAAAAAAACJA/mbnSegSGzZw5Ufd4UxHQjTfuWBCqNcQLACLcB/s320/AutomotiveAd.jpg" title="" width="320" /></a></div>
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"TheBestSchools.org selected University of Alaska Anchorage- Community and Technical College's program based on several weighted factors described in the article's introduction, which included popularity, annual income revenue, and media references." </div>
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~Monica Roberts,TheBestSchools.org<br />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "robotobold" , sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">To read a copy of the full article</span> <a href="http://www.thebestschools.org/rankings/best-automotive-mechanic-schools/" style="-webkit-hyphens: auto; box-sizing: border-box; color: #006e57; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;" title="The 20 Best Automotive Mechanic Schools"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "robotobold" , sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">click here!</span></span></a></div>
Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-80235023508377106412017-03-06T10:58:00.000-09:002017-03-24T10:58:58.203-08:00<h2 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: robotoBold, sans-serif; font-size: 2.3125rem; line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.2rem 0px 0.5rem; padding: 0px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">
Sparks Fly at UAA - KTUU News</h2>
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KTUU Channel 2 News recently featured CTC's Beginning Metal Art/Sculpture Welding Workshop course. Learn about this exciting class by viewing the KTUU article<span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "robotobold" , sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;"> <a href="http://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Sparks-fly-at-UAA-artistic-welding-class-415920423.html" style="-webkit-hyphens: auto; box-sizing: border-box; color: #006e57; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;" title="KTUU News - Sparks Fly!">here!</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "robotobold" , sans-serif; font-size: 2.3125rem;">Where the Welded Things Are!</span></div>
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"Cloaked in face masks, surrounded by sizzles and sparks, the nontraditional students in this one-week short course on structural welding move in to the welding workshop when the students head out on break."</div>
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<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "robotobold" , sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">See the full article</span> <span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "robotobold" , sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;"><a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/49710/49710/?utm_source=seawolfmonthly&utm_medium=email&utm_content=SW_20170118&utm_campaign=Green+and+Gold+News" style="-webkit-hyphens: auto; box-sizing: border-box; color: #006e57; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;" title="Green & Gold Welding Article">here!</a></span></span></div>
Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-50716808856725768042017-02-21T10:55:00.000-09:002017-03-24T10:56:14.419-08:00<br />
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CTC's Construction Management Students Win National Competition!<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a; font-size: 11pt;"></span></h2>
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"UAA construction management students proved hard work pays off when they secured a first-place win at the Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Competition in Sparks, Nevada" </div>
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“This is our third win in four attempts in the last two years — that’s a 75 percent success rate,” noted Don Tipton, assistant professor of construction management and the team’s faculty coach. “I’m really proud of how well UAA students have represented themselves and the university at the ASC competition.”</div>
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T<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "robotobold" , sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">o read a copy of the full article</span> <a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/51095/uaa-construction-management-students-win-national-competition/" style="-webkit-hyphens: auto; box-sizing: border-box; color: #006e57; line-height: inherit; text-decoration: none; word-break: break-word; word-wrap: break-word;" title="Construction Management Students Win National Competition!"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "robotobold" , sans-serif; font-weight: 700; line-height: inherit;">click here!</span></span></a></div>
Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-61955351812018403282016-10-24T17:01:00.001-08:002016-10-24T17:01:26.277-08:00<br />
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Construction Management provides excellent career options</h2>
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A recent <a href="https://www.zippia.com/advice/highest-paying-jobs-in-alaska/" target="_blank">report by Zippia</a> lists the top 100 <span style="text-align: center;">highest paying jobs in Alaska.</span> <b>Construction Management, </b>coming in at #19 on the list, boasts a very high level of demand--with an expected 1,100 job openings in Alaska--and an average annual salary of over $122,000.</div>
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The University of Alaska Anchorage CTC Construction Management program provides options for an AAS or a BS degree. Students learn how to work closely with architects, engineers, owners and other contractors on a construction project. Construction managers determine construction means and methods and the most cost-effective plans and schedules. They control construction costs, administer the contract and monitor work progress while ensuring compliance with the project design. Construction managers work in all sectors of the construction industry, for both public and private owners, on projects that range from residential projects to skyscrapers and from rural roads to major highways and bridges. The construction manager’s duties are varied, challenging and rewarding.</div>
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The CM program at UAA was developed with input from Alaska contractors and professional industry organizations to provide students with a broad knowledge of construction processes and techniques. CM graduates understand basic business principles and possess broad knowledge of the technical and operational aspects of the construction industry. Graduates are able to function both in the construction office and on the job site.</div>
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The wide diversity in the construction management profession creates a similar diversity of employment opportunities for graduates. Associate degree graduates are prepared for entry-level positions in varying construction management roles for contractors in both home office and project office/field situations. Bachelor’s degree graduates are prepared for a wide variety of professional-level employment opportunities in construction companies, construction management consulting firms, and in the offices of government and project owner agencies. The Associate of Applied Science in Construction Management requires four to five semesters to complete. The Bachelor of Science in Construction Management requires eight to nine semesters to complete.</div>
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The <a href="https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/community-and-technical-college/departments/construction-design-and-safety/academics/construction-management/course-sequence.cshtml" target="_blank">AAS and BS in Construction Management</a> are accredited by the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE). If you are interested in building your career in this exciting industry, contact the department at <a href="tel:+1907(907) 786-6465" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #2e7660; font-family: robotoRegular, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: inherit; text-align: start; text-decoration: none;">(907) 786-6465</a> or <a href="https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/community-and-technical-college/" target="_blank">apply</a> today!</div>
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Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-51531466916521149262016-10-12T14:14:00.003-08:002016-10-12T14:14:32.673-08:00Aviation Industry Will Need More Graduates<span id="goog_1066287020"></span><span id="goog_1066287021"></span><br />
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<br /><br /><a href="http://www.adn.com/alaska-news/aviation/2016/10/11/with-possible-pilot-shortage-looming-some-in-alaska-are-especially-concerned/">An article in the Anchorage Dispatch News</a> describes the looming pilot shortage facing not only Alaska, but all of the United States. Not only will their be job available, but the potential to earn a high wage in piloting is strong as well. The Alaska Department of Labor reports that the average wage for commercial pilots in 2015 was $78,000, and the average wage for Airline pilots and co-pilots was $127,000.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5x6gXNOuxKg/V_6sJmg5bjI/AAAAAAAACHk/vpZhI51RkBwi4gcXpFnp-nIZUfKxoPgmQCLcB/s1600/Pilots.tiff"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5x6gXNOuxKg/V_6sJmg5bjI/AAAAAAAACHk/vpZhI51RkBwi4gcXpFnp-nIZUfKxoPgmQCLcB/s320/Pilots.tiff" /></a><br /><br /><br />Students can earn their <a href="https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/community-and-technical-college/departments/aviation-technology/academics/professional-piloting/index.cshtml">AAS in professional piloting</a> through the Aviation Division of the University of Alaska Anchorage in as little as two to three years. Both ground and airborne flight training are provided utilizing FAA approved curricula. UAA has fully-equipped flight training airplanes, advanced aircrew training devices (AATD) and a level B flight simulator to enhance the educational experience of the students. <br /><br /><br />The FAA has authorized UAA to certify its professional piloting graduates as eligible for an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with reduced aeronautical experience. Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CKm-97yPXqg/V_6uwshzZlI/AAAAAAAACHs/hh7HWMPIHp05pDQqnC4crpxG349gGUdOwCLcB/s1600/AviMaint.tiff"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CKm-97yPXqg/V_6uwshzZlI/AAAAAAAACHs/hh7HWMPIHp05pDQqnC4crpxG349gGUdOwCLcB/s320/AviMaint.tiff" /></a><br /><br /><br />Want to keep your feet on the ground and still be part of this exciting and growing industry? The division also offers degrees in <a href="https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/community-and-technical-college/departments/aviation-technology/academics/aviation-maintenance-technology/index.cshtml">Aviation Maintenance Technology,</a> <a href="https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/community-and-technical-college/departments/aviation-technology/academics/air-traffic-control/index.cshtml">Air Traffic Control</a>, and a bachelor's degree in <a href="https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/community-and-technical-college/departments/aviation-technology/academics/aviation-administration/index.cshtml">Aviation Administration</a>. Contact the Aviation Advisor at 907-786-7250 to learn more.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-19768646383779123472016-08-12T15:20:00.001-08:002016-08-12T15:20:09.682-08:00Anchorage School District students experience UAA campus firsthand during Summer Academy<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KSNfe6Bc4A/V65UoWrmlbI/AAAAAAAACG8/ydkSwlc1NpsElNEX-gT95kMW_IErSHMYQCEw/s1600/2016-august-summer-academy-paramo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Deena Paramo, University of Alaska regent and ASD superintendent,addresses students participating in this year's UAA/ASD Summer Academy.(Photo courtesy of Anchorage School District)" border="0" height="195" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5KSNfe6Bc4A/V65UoWrmlbI/AAAAAAAACG8/ydkSwlc1NpsElNEX-gT95kMW_IErSHMYQCEw/s400/2016-august-summer-academy-paramo.jpg" title="Deena Paramo" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Deena Paramo, University of Alaska regent and ASD superintendent,<br />addresses students participating in this year's UAA/ASD Summer Academy.<br />(Photo courtesy of Anchorage School District)</td></tr>
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For many teens, attending courses on a college campus doesn’t happen until after graduating from high school. But a partnership between the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and the Anchorage School District (ASD) is giving more than 100 middle and high school students an opportunity to experience taking courses in a college setting.<br />
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In the UAA/ASD Summer Academy students in grades eight through 11 spend three weeks in late July and early August honing their math and writing skills in classes in which they earn ASD credit. The experience is designed for students who have finished ASD’s English Language Learner (ELL) program but need to catch up with core academics to become college ready.<br />
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“UAA is proud to host the academy,” said Shannon Gramse, director of the Learning Commons and chair of Preparatory College English. “This has been a highly collaborative process with ASD, and we’re happy to help students gain exposure to a college environment.”<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEoL2rqq8gk/V65UoTkXObI/AAAAAAAACHA/wy47iaWvmK8xqe7gcjrYVcBaTBtFCzSbwCEw/s1600/2016-august-summer-academy-cullin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Matt Cullin, UAA associate professor of mechanical engineering, uses hands-on activities to help students see algebra's practical applications. (Photo courtesy of Anchorage School District)" border="0" height="193" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEoL2rqq8gk/V65UoTkXObI/AAAAAAAACHA/wy47iaWvmK8xqe7gcjrYVcBaTBtFCzSbwCEw/s320/2016-august-summer-academy-cullin.jpg" title="Matt Cullin" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Matt Cullin, UAA associate professor of mechanical<br />engineering, uses hands-on activities to help students see<br />algebra's practical applications.<br />(Photo courtesy of Anchorage School District)</td></tr>
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Writing classes are team-taught by UAA and ASD faculty, and math courses feature hands-on engineering applications related to the course material. Students take classes in the mornings and afternoons, with a special working lunch in between. These lunches feature special guests and tours representing a range of UAA programs and services, as well as a variety of high-demand career fields.<br />
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The program has been well received, and plans are already underway for next year’s academy. Principal collaborators on this year’s project are Phil Farson, ASD ELL director and Shannon Gramse. Lead UAA partners include the College Preparatory & Developmental Studies Department and the Learning Commons, part of the Community & Technical College. Additional partners include the College of Engineering, College of Business and Public Policy and New Student Orientation.<br />
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<i>Story by Kirstin Olmstead, CTC Communications Coordinator</i><br />
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Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-44693778634497848852016-08-05T10:49:00.000-08:002016-08-09T14:30:24.220-08:00UAA’s own food truck roundupThis summer, as you venture across the city on lunch breaks and weekends, keep an eye out for these four UAA-affiliated fixtures of the farmers’ market and food truck scene.<br />
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<b>Kastle’s Kreations</b><br />
<b>What to expect:</b> Cupcakes!<br />
<b>Most Popular item:</b> Red velvet cupcakes<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--k4W-02Ji3o/V6TWYT15oXI/AAAAAAAACGU/DnyHFBhjZd88-HApvkAdwCN0_JxuMHp_wCEw/s1600/2016-august-kastle-creations-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kastle Sorensen rotates through 100 cupcake recipes at her mobile cupcake cart. (Photo by Ted Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)" border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--k4W-02Ji3o/V6TWYT15oXI/AAAAAAAACGU/DnyHFBhjZd88-HApvkAdwCN0_JxuMHp_wCEw/s1600/2016-august-kastle-creations-1.jpg" title="Kastle Sorensen" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kastle Sorensen rotates through 100 cupcake recipes<br />
at her mobile cupcake cart.<br />
(Photo by Ted Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)</td></tr>
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It all started with <i>Cupcake Wars</i>. The <i>Food Network</i> competitive cooking show had just premiered in late 2009 when Kastle Sorensen, B.A. ’06, caught an early episode and thought, “That looks like fun.” When her husband’s mom entered a church chili cook-off, Kastle supplied the strawberry cupcakes to lure voters to stop by. “Someone asked if they could order some more of those and I thought… I guess,” she laughed. That first customer got the (dough)ball rolling, helping distribute Kastle’s cupcakes to friends and family, who then called in with their own requests. She opened her business in 2011, added the food truck in 2012 and, fittingly, appeared on (and won) an episode of <i>Cupcake Wars</i> in 2013.<br />
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Kastle hits the road in her bubblegum-pink truck twice a week, serving sweet treats to cupcake customers in Anchorage, Eagle River and Wasilla. She rotates through 100 flavors (like carrot cake, pumpkin chip and Butterfinger) so her regulars always have new options, even if their cravings kick in just days apart. Though the menu changes, loyal fans know they can always count on Kastle’s top seller: red velvet cupcakes.<br />
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<b><i>Where to find Kastle’s Kreations</i></b><br />
<i><b>Online:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AKastleskreations/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kastleskreations/">Instagram</a> and <a href="http://www.kastleskreations.net/">http://www.kastleskreations.net</a></i><br />
<i><b>On the street:</b> Currently, you can find Kastle’s pink truck on <b>Thursdays from 12-4 p.m.</b> at Bailey’s Furniture (C and International). On <b>Saturdays from 12-4 p.m.</b>, she alternates between the Eagle River Chevron and Wasilla Walgreens.</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lrfdBAsWJ2Y/V6TWYr2anNI/AAAAAAAACGw/CTtKd1yptD4k7td4tLt7XXoBaQX9EouTQCEw/s1600/2016-august-kastle-creations-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="UAA alumna Kastle Sorensen dishes out sweet cupcakes and other goodies from her mobile shop, Kastle Kreations. (Photo by Ted Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)" border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lrfdBAsWJ2Y/V6TWYr2anNI/AAAAAAAACGw/CTtKd1yptD4k7td4tLt7XXoBaQX9EouTQCEw/s400/2016-august-kastle-creations-2.jpg" title="Kastle's Kreations" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UAA alumna Kastle Sorensen dishes out sweet cupcakes and other<br />
goodies from her mobile shop, Kastle's Kreations.<br />
(Photo by Ted Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)</td></tr>
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<b>Sweet Caribou</b><br />
<b>What to expect:</b> handcrafted macaron cookies and more<br />
<b>Most popular item:</b> Passion fruit macarons<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_bPqwBSGjtU/V6TWYzQqZKI/AAAAAAAACGw/gMg-ElUgHyoRf-9YffKrenMlgCdjgbHtgCEw/s1600/2016-august-sweet-caribou-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="James Strong puts his business degree to use operating the family business along with his wife (and fellow alum) Miranda. Sweet Caribou will expand into a permanent storefront this August.(Photo by Ted Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_bPqwBSGjtU/V6TWYzQqZKI/AAAAAAAACGw/gMg-ElUgHyoRf-9YffKrenMlgCdjgbHtgCEw/s1600/2016-august-sweet-caribou-1.jpg" title="James Strong" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Strong puts his business degree to use<br />
operating the family business along with his wife<br />
(and fellow alum) Miranda. Sweet Caribou will<br />
expand into a permanent storefront this August.<br />
(Photo by Ted Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)</td></tr>
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Keep an eye out for the radiant colors on display at Sweet Caribou, a family-owned farmers’ market fixture that specializes in the sweet, delicate, finicky cookies known as macarons. Why so finicky? An individual macaron—made of two perfectly matched, perfectly whipped cookies melded by buttercream or ganache filling—can take up to 72 hours to cook and cure.<br />
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Owner James Strong, B.B.A. ’06, helms the family business, which also includes his wife Miranda, B.A. ’08, and his sister, who’s been baking since age 6. Sweet Caribous will move into a permanent storefront at 36th and Arctic this August, where the family will continue whipping up their 70 flavors of macarons.<br />
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Though French-inspired, the Strongs add an Alaska spin with recipes like maple bacon and the Fred Flintstone (Fruity Pebbles on a buttercream cookie). “You’d never find that in any patisserie in Paris, but whenever we feature it, people order full boxes,” James noted. And he would know. Each year, James and Miranda travel to Paris to take cooking classes and explore patisseries for the latest trends.<br />
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Keep an eye out for Sweet Caribou’s macaron-mobiles, two delivery cars that will soon hit the streets to deliver a range of lunch options for office-bound Anchoragites like fresh local salads with homemade dressing (accompanied, of course, by a mini-macaron)<br />
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<b><i>Where to find Sweet Caribou</i></b><br />
<i><b>Online:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sweetcaribou/">Facebook</a></i><br />
<i><b>On the street:</b> Currently, you can find Sweet Caribou <b>Wednesdays from 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.</b> at the Center Market in Sears Mall and <b>Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m.</b> at the South Anchorage Farmer’s Market at O’Malley Center. The storefront at 36th and Arctic is set to open on Aug. 11</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nggl1FdXslw/V6TWZJ0Ay0I/AAAAAAAACGw/VCMM-YLvaBg88ufNs5_xV3zEXOY-5rqegCEw/s1600/2016-august-sweet-caribou-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The colors are as tasty as the cookies at Sweet Caribou. (Photo by Ted Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)" border="0" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nggl1FdXslw/V6TWZJ0Ay0I/AAAAAAAACGw/VCMM-YLvaBg88ufNs5_xV3zEXOY-5rqegCEw/s400/2016-august-sweet-caribou-2.jpg" title="Sweet Caribou" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The colors are as tasty as the cookies at Sweet Caribou.<br />
(Photo by Ted Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)</td></tr>
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<b>iFood</b><br />
<b>What to expect:</b> Fresh Alaska street food<br />
<b>Most popular item:</b> reindeer corn dogs and empanadas<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JygtpP8UD8/V6TWYYujfYI/AAAAAAAACGw/SikX-WVvP1QGN2PwIVGglPm74qoTEiUgACEw/s1600/2016-august-ifood-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Amy Green, a culinary arts professor, says her students are especially interested in learning the ins and outs of food truck business. (Photo by Ted Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)" border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JygtpP8UD8/V6TWYYujfYI/AAAAAAAACGw/SikX-WVvP1QGN2PwIVGglPm74qoTEiUgACEw/s1600/2016-august-ifood-1.jpg" title="Amy Green" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amy Green, a culinary arts professor, says her students<br />
are especially interested n learning the ins and outs<br />
of food truck business.<br />
(Photo by Ted Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Who better to own and operate a food truck than Amy Green, professor of Culinary Arts, Hospitality & Restaurant Management at UAA. Not only does she teach classes on restaurant business (think front of house management and human resources), she also has the summers free to focus on her family’s food truck. And HR is easy enough when the only employees are her husband and two kids.<br />
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iFood, Amy says, was originally her kids idea, particularly the focus on technology. Though still in development, they plan to launch an online app so customers can order ahead of time. Another tech dream: a webcam that shows the crowds and atmosphere at iFood events (the name, of course, would be the iFood Feed).<br />
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Another big plan is to marry Amy’s food truck summers with her academic winters and create a ride-along program for her interested culinary students. The food truck academy would highlight food truck musts like menu development, social media marketing and health code compliance.<br />
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But Amy says those plans are all “down the road,” to use an apt food truck metaphor.<br />
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For now, here’s what to expect: exceptionally friendly service and fresh, fun ingredients in uniquely Alaska dishes, like salmon sliders and fish tacos. And don’t miss those popular empanadas (AKA “fancy Hot Pockets”) or the kegs of homemade root beer and cream soda.<br />
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<b><i>Where to find iFood</i></b><br />
<i><b>Online:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ifood8.net/?fref=ts">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://ifood8.net/">ifood8.net</a> </i><br />
<i><b>On the street:</b> Look for iFood at private events across the city, including weddings and festivals. Check their Facebook page for food truck roundup destinations.</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xdMc7eBFzTM/V6TWYTmvfGI/AAAAAAAACGw/mHFYLCmcrvI-Cb72_OQXwN12l_QVZq2UQCEw/s1600/2016-august-ifood-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Keep an eye out for Amy’s self-designed iFood truck at festivals and events around Anchorage. (Photo by Ted Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)" border="0" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xdMc7eBFzTM/V6TWYTmvfGI/AAAAAAAACGw/mHFYLCmcrvI-Cb72_OQXwN12l_QVZq2UQCEw/s400/2016-august-ifood-2.jpg" title="iFood" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keep an eye out for Amy’s self-designed iFood truck at<br />
festivals and events around Anchorage.<br />
(Photo by Ted Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Mosquito Mama</b><br />
<b>What to expect:</b> Bottles of balsamic and a solid sense of humor<br />
<b>Most Popular Item:</b> Borealis Berry Balsamic Buzzzzz<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6BtRnMo7RZQ/V6TWYyLWoJI/AAAAAAAACGw/uvscfZqTGugeg8oN-Fn66bf09H_ZP9MSgCEw/s1600/2016-august-mosquito-mama-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Holly Thorssin has been in the balsamic business for eight years. Find Mosquito Mama at the farmer’s market, or in specialty stores statewide. (Photo by Ted Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)" border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6BtRnMo7RZQ/V6TWYyLWoJI/AAAAAAAACGw/uvscfZqTGugeg8oN-Fn66bf09H_ZP9MSgCEw/s1600/2016-august-mosquito-mama-1.jpg" title="Holly Thorssin" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holly Thorssin has been in the balsamic business for<br />
eight years. Find Mosquito Mama at the farmer’s market<br />
or in specialty stores statewide.<br />
(Photo by Ted Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Like a mosquito in your ear, the Mosquito Mama booth can’t be ignored. Holly Thorssin, B.A. ’13, dedicates about two hours to setting up and breaking down her farmer’s market booth, and it’s easy to see why. With tapestries, tablecloths and a vast spread of vinegars—all sheltered by a decorative maroon mosquito net—Mosquito Mama is certainly eye-catching. And the balsamic samples will give you reason to linger. With eight years in the balsamic business, Holly’s customers have found countless ways to use these Alaska-made drizzles (on salads, on salmon, in bloody Mary’s and even to dribble over ice cream). So give in to the garlic. Whether you’re sautéing vegetables or marinating meats, just add what Holly calls “a little bite in every bottle.”<br />
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<b><i>Where to find Mosquito Mama</i></b><br />
<i><b>Online:</b> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MosquitoMamaAK/">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mosquitomamaak/">Instagram</a></i><br />
<i><b>On the street:</b> Currently, you can find Mosquito Mama at the Center Market in Sears Mall <b>Wednesdays from 10 a.m.–6 p.m.</b> and downtown in summers at the Anchorage Market, <b>Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.</b> Bottles are also available at <a href="http://www.nonessentialsalaska.com/">NonEssentials</a> (Palmer), <a href="http://www.tinkersrainforest.com/index.html">Tinker’s Rain Forest Deli</a> (Eagle River), Alaska Max (Anchorage) and <a href="http://www.sunshinehealthfoodstore.com/retailer/store_templates/shell_id_1.asp?storeID=61059D733CE74C11829F7670C699D87B">Sunshine Health Foods</a> (Fairbanks).</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qN0xJgfw8wQ/V6TWY8rtt-I/AAAAAAAACGw/2YGd7XxmxbwxDM0TPMiSPmT45p0owa2BACEw/s1600/2016-august-mosquito-mama-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Celebrate the mosquito, if you must, at Holly’s eye-catching market booth. (Photo by J. Besl / University of Alaska Anchorage)" border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qN0xJgfw8wQ/V6TWY8rtt-I/AAAAAAAACGw/2YGd7XxmxbwxDM0TPMiSPmT45p0owa2BACEw/s400/2016-august-mosquito-mama-2.jpg" title="Mosquito Mama" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrate the mosquito, if you must, at Holly’s eye-catching market booth.<br />
(Photo by J. Besl / University of Alaska Anchorage)</td></tr>
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<i>Written by J. Besl, UAA Office of University Advancement. <a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/44528/44528/">This story originally appeared in Green & Gold News on July 27, 2016</a>.</i><br />
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Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-10156425290975004772016-07-14T15:30:00.004-08:002016-07-14T16:32:41.677-08:00UAA student named to UNITY’s 2016 ‘Top 25 Under 25’<i><a href="http://unityinc.org/">United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY)</a> recently named UAA <a href="https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/community-and-technical-college/departments/construction-design-and-safety">construction management and architectural & engineering technology</a> student Michele Kawahine Danner, 19, an Iñupiaq woman, to its 2016 Top 25 Under 25 list. The program celebrates the achievements of Native youth leaders under the age of 25 who embody UNITY’s core mission and live a life of spiritual, mental, physical and social well-being. Her aunt nominated her, partially because Danner created an independent video, </i><a href="http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/10/07/video-poignant-message-hope-and-healing-addiction-barrow-alaska-161989">Mamit: To Heal</a><i>, which grappled with the issue of substance abuse on the North Slope. Danner now plans to create a video addressing bullying and suicide. Diane Payne, director of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Justice-for-Native-Children-863214243744902/">Justice for Native Children</a> project, said she invited Danner to share Mamit at a training event for about 20 tribal child advocates, “to demonstrate the importance of including youth voices and talents in village-based child abuse prevention and healing work. [Danner] did an awesome job. Michele speaks from her heart and is an inspiring young Alaska Native woman.”</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IQOjOcSL_js/V4bQBjdYbnI/AAAAAAAACGA/b0ZM6Y5l7pop3kX7tajskugRAR217TQbwCLcB/s1600/2016-july-michele-danner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) recently named UAA student Michele Kawahine Danner to its 2016 Top 25 Under 25 list. (Photo by Theodore Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)" border="0" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IQOjOcSL_js/V4bQBjdYbnI/AAAAAAAACGA/b0ZM6Y5l7pop3kX7tajskugRAR217TQbwCLcB/s400/2016-july-michele-danner.jpg" title="Michele Danner" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) recently named UAA student<br />
Michele Kawahine Danner to its 2016 Top 25 Under 25 list.<br />
(Photo by Theodore Kincaid / University of Alaska Anchorage)</td></tr>
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<b>Where are you originally from?</b><br />
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I was born and raised in Barrow and later finished high school on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. I consider myself from both Alaska and Hawaii, considering that I have connected with both places.<br />
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<b>What did your parents do?</b><br />
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My parents spent their lives working for Native corporations on the North Slope. The Native village of Barrow has been the home of my mother’s family for thousands of years. My father moved to Alaska as a young boy because my grandparents were educators who were dedicated to Native youth. My seven other siblings and I grew up in what I thought was the best place on earth. Coming from a family that is heavily invested in a subsistence lifestyle, my life as a child involved playing with other village kids in my community, and cultural activities such as Eskimo dancing and hunting trips.<br />
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<b>Where did you attend school?</b><br />
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Up until high school, I schooled in Barrow and Anchorage. Our family moved to Hawaii just before I entered high school because aside from being Iñupiaq, my family is also of Native Hawaiian descent. I danced hula and learned a little bit of the language during my five years in Hawaii. I graduated from Kapaa High School, on the island of Kaua’i.<br />
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<b>How did you initially get interested in filmmaking?</b><br />
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One of my older brothers, Chris, is a successful cinematographer on the North Slope, and I grew up watching him create films. Naturally, I became interested with filming, and spent my high school career in my digital media class improving my skills. Creating independent films gives me joy, and I have learned to become very efficient in telling stories through this kind of art.<br />
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<b>What films did you make before <i>Mamit: A Healing</i>?</b><br />
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I have a lot of films saved on my laptop, ranging from things like short comedy pieces and short documentaries. The only time that I’ll post a film online is if it will serve a specific purpose, otherwise I just create them because doing it makes me happy. Mamit was put online so it could help address an issue and serve a greater purpose.<br />
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<b>What initially sparked the idea for <i>Mamit</i>?</b><br />
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When I returned home to Barrow, I saw a problem, which is substance abuse, and of course I wanted to be a part of the solution. When you see trouble and you do nothing, you are voluntarily allowing the problem to continue, making you responsible for the outcomes. When I see a problem, I try to be a part of the solution, and this new philosophy makes my life easy, and is extremely easy to do; you just do it. It makes you feel good, it makes others feel good, and it is the right thing to do.<br />
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<b>How did you go about getting the people, information and equipment you needed in order to make <i>Mamit</i>? </b><br />
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The NSB Health Department, which is where I worked at the time, gave me full support in this project and allowed me to go out on a daily basis to talk with ex-users, health clinicians and the youth. By communicating with my own community, I became more familiar with the issue at hand, and this allowed me to start planning the project. I used my own camera, and borrowed mics and editing software from my older brother, Chris. It is hard for any cinematographer to trust others with his/her equipment, but my brother knew how important this project was to me.<br />
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<b>How did you publicize the film?</b><br />
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The NSB health department posted the video online, and I simply asked local Native corporations to share the video, which made it accessible to more viewers. In October of last year, the health department invited me to speak at the Healthy Living Summit in Barrow, where I met with the high-schoolers of Barrow to raise awareness about the issue. I enjoyed talking with Native youth about substance abuse, and encouraged them to be community contributors within our village.<br />
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<b>What kind of responses have you received about <i>Mamit</i>?</b><br />
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So far, I have only received positive reactions to the film, which is definitely humbling. The success of this project has encouraged me to create more films and continue to serve my community by focusing on local issues in my motion pictures.<br />
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<b>What kinds of films do you hope to make in the future, and why?</b><br />
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I know I will continue to create films that are heavily based on Native communal issues, because I am passionate about the success of Native people. Native people are resilient in the economic and spiritual hardships we face, and this is the driving force behind my work. I am a public speaker, filmmaker and a Native intern, but I know I am first and foremost a member of my Iñupiaq community. Nothing is more rewarding than serving those who have raised me on the North Slope.<br />
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<b>Why did you decide to attend UAA?</b><br />
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I have decided to attend UAA because being a student here allows me to stay away from financial burden, remain close to the Native corporations where I continue to work, and the overall quality of the university met my standards.<br />
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<b>Describe what your college experience has been like, so far. What aspects of it do you like and what could be improved.</b><br />
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While attending UAA, I was able to find my specific talents and utilize them. Although this college is quiet and somewhat isolated, I feel like I needed this environment to truly reflect on my life choices, so that I can be prepared for the near future. There is a university out there for everyone, and it just happened that UAA is right for me.<br />
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<b>How did you initially become interested in construction management and architectural engineering?</b><br />
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Sooner or later we all have to figure out what we are going to do in our lives. I entered college like most of my peers do, not knowing what the heck I wanted to do. But after a short period of time I figured it out and it was easy for me. I thought to myself, ‘I am an artist, yet I am also useful in technical and problem-solving settings. How can I use these skills to serve? Where will I go?’ Coming from a family that is heavily involved in construction and hands-on work, I knew where I needed to go. After my first class in architectural engineering tech, I fell in love with the design aspect of this career, and I am on my journey to becoming a construction manager.<br />
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<b>How did you, in high school, prepare yourself academically in order to be ready to delve into those fields of study?</b><br />
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During my senior year in high school, I was one of the only girls in my construction class, and my volleyball coach was the instructor. The skills I learned in high school evidently paid off, and turned out to be extremely useful now.<br />
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<b>What do you hope to do with your degrees in those subjects?</b><br />
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Currently, the North Slope is experiencing severe housing shortages, and it has become a huge topic for our Native community. With the influx of new people arriving on the North Slope, the demand for housing and construction is getting higher. I know I will continue to work in Alaska, and I am hoping to be a part of the process in putting up more housing units on the North Slope.<br />
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<b>You took on an internship with a Native corporation. What was that like?</b><br />
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I worked as an executive intern for about seven months learning the way things were done on the business side of things. Recently I decided to pursue a construction management internship with another Native corporation. I am excited and happy to dive into the content, and learn what it means to be a successful construction manager. The opportunities provided by both of these corporations are inspiring, and are helping me grow as a student and an employee.<br />
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<b>What are your short-term and long-term goals, both personally and for your career?</b><br />
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I know I will continue to create films, and my goal is to encourage positive change within our community. As far as my short-term goals, I intend on finishing my bachelor’s degree at UAA, and go on to another university to receive a master’s degree in my field of study. I also plan on continuing my internships, so I will be prepared to best serve my people in the near and far future. With such a supportive family, I know I will always be OK with whatever decisions I make as a scholar, so right now I am just doing the best I can in school and in the office.<br />
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<a href="http://unityinc.org/25-under-25-youth-leaders-in-indian-country-announced/">View the names</a> of the others who made the “Top 25 Under 25” list (including Anchorage’s <a href="http://www.ktoo.org/2015/11/07/alaska-teen-visits-with-the-president/">Tatiana Ticknor</a>, who is Dena’ina and Tlingit, and <a href="http://unityinc.org/meet-henry-birk-albert-unity-earth-ambassador/">Birk Albert</a>, an Athabaskan who grew up in Ruby and now lives in Lake Placid, N.Y.), as well as learn more about UNITY and see details about its July 22-26 national conference, scheduled to take place in Oklahoma City.<br />
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<i>Compiled by Tracy Kalytiak, UAA Office of University Advancement. <a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/43284/43284/?a">This story originally appeared in Green & Gold News on June 1, 2016</a>.</i><br />
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Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-730647174403046822016-06-14T14:30:00.000-08:002016-06-14T14:30:19.149-08:00 UAA alumni behind the wheel of Alaska tourismIn a calendar year, tourists could soon outnumber Alaska residents three to one. As daunting as it sounds, that’s good news given the current oil slump. In 2014, tourism generated a $3.9 billion economic impact in Alaska through services and summer jobs. It’s a reliable industry heading into an uncertain future.<br />
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How does UAA play into all this? Graduates find careers in tourism from a variety of angles, from transportation (professional piloting, logistics) to culture (anthropology, dance) to the wild outdoors (physical education, outdoor leadership). Here, we highlight just a few of those departments.<br />
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Read on and learn how hospitality, theater, and, yes, even civil engineering, alumni help support Alaska’s mighty tourism industry.<br />
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<b>Culinary Arts, Hospitality & Restaurant Management: Setting out the welcome mat</b><br />
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Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Restaurant Management is an obvious place to start; the department is tailored to fit Alaska’s tourism economy and the professors are especially well connected.<br />
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That’s a direct benefit for the four-year students, who complete a one-semester 500-hour paid internship. Recent graduate <b>Pricilla Keith, B.A. ’16</b>, spent all of spring semester interning with Anchorage Convention Centers, following department managers in administration, kitchen prep, sales… even maintenance. She was on hand for this February’s Go West Summit, an annual convention that brings worldwide tour providers face-to-face with Western U.S. tour suppliers. “That was a pretty international event,” she said, citing the dual American and Asian breakfast buffets they set up each morning. She graduated with a wide range of industry experience on May 1—primetime for hospitality graduates to leave UAA and dive into the tourism field.<br />
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The Hotel Captain Cook serves as another intern incubator. “We’re very well-connected to UAA and we have a lot of internships that go on throughout the year,” explained <b>Clayton Damm, A.A.S. ’09</b>, a former student intern who now serves as catering director for the Captain Cook’s 12 bustling event spaces. In addition, Clayton is one of several alumni on UAA’s culinary and hospitality advisory board, along with local chef <b>Riza Brown, B.A. ’12</b> and Sysco Alaska marketer <b>Don Ellis, A.A.S. ’04</b>.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YfEycz5fuIY/V2B8Gcz9oQI/AAAAAAAACE4/_GlAeOj67BU2HTzNo9I3UyQje2KW_X2DgCLcB/s1600/2016-june-uaa-tourism-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Clayton Damm, A.A.S. ’09, started as a student intern at Hotel Captain Cook. Now, he’s the catering director for the building’s 12 busy event spaces. (Photo by Ted Kincaid, University of Alaska Anchorage)" border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YfEycz5fuIY/V2B8Gcz9oQI/AAAAAAAACE4/_GlAeOj67BU2HTzNo9I3UyQje2KW_X2DgCLcB/s320/2016-june-uaa-tourism-1.jpg" title="Clayton Damm" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clayton Damm, A.A.S. ’09, started as a student intern at<br />Hotel Captain Cook. Now, he’s the catering director for the<br />building’s 12 busy event spaces.<br />(Photo by Ted Kincaid, University of Alaska Anchorage)</td></tr>
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“The instructors are very pro-Alaska and are heavily involved in the community,” noted <b>Brittney Johnsen, B.A. ’14</b>, currently the front office manager at Embassy Suites Anchorage.<br />
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And Brittney’s pro-Alaska as well. Originally from Tucson, she moved to Anchorage specifically for UAA’s hospitality program. As an enthusiastic Alaska transplant responsible for making the most of her guest’s experience, she’s both perfectly suited and academically prepared to welcome guests to Alaska.<br />
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“I was the tourist when I moved up here, doing all the things tourists love to do. It’s really fun for me now to share my experiences,” she noted. “That’s really the peak of my days when I can tell somebody something to do and see them come back so excited at the end of the day.”<br />
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<b>Theater: All the world’s a stage</b><br />
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Theater graduates are trained to entertain, making them key players in the supporting cast of Alaska’s tourism providers. Much like tour guides, actors are confident in the spotlight, adept at memorization, able to project their voices and—importantly—pros at commanding an audience.<br />
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“The performer in me just likes to make sure everybody is having a good time and is entertained,” said <b><a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/42471/all-the-states-a-stage/">Justin Oller, B.A. ’15</a></b>, a three-year guide for Salmon Berry Tours (founded by alumna <a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/6827/i_am_uaa_candice_mcdonald/?option=com_content&view=article&id=6827"><b>Candice McDonald, B.B.A. ’05, M.S. </b><b>’</b><b>08</b></a>). Each day, he shuttles international guests across Southcentral Alaska—Seward, Matanuska Glacier, Talkeetna—sharing stories and info from the driver seat and the trails. “More than anything else, that’s really what it is—I put on a show for 8 hours.”<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwCY740V4Fw/V2B9KZYN7qI/AAAAAAAACFE/BEOoR6ua4rIVIBELtvwsv8aLBSopOwqaQCLcB/s1600/2016-june-uaa-tourism-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chloe Akers and Justin Oller, both 2015 theater graduates, now apply those performance skills as guides at Salmon Berry Tours. (Photo by Phil Hall / University of Alaska Anchorage)" border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jwCY740V4Fw/V2B9KZYN7qI/AAAAAAAACFE/BEOoR6ua4rIVIBELtvwsv8aLBSopOwqaQCLcB/s320/2016-june-uaa-tourism-2.jpg" title="Chloe Akers and Justin Oller" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chloe Akers and Justin Oller, both 2015 theater graduates,<br />now apply those performance skills as guides<br />at Salmon Berry Tours. <br />Photo by Phil Hall / University of Alaska Anchorage)</td></tr>
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His Salmon Berry co-worker <b><a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/42471/all-the-states-a-stage/">Chloe Akers, B.A. ’15</a></b>, adds that, as actors, they’re trained in the art of adaptability. Even if a moose blocks the trail or a rockslide closes the highway, the show must go on. “You have to think on your feet and adjust to changes,” she said. “That adaptability is a big thing that I brought from theater.”<br />
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For <b><a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/alumni-spirit/1078/risky-business/">Peter Wallack, B.A. ’08</a></b>, his technical theater training helps as well. As a guide with <a href="http://www.arctictravel.net/">Circumpolar Expeditions</a>, Peter coordinates challenging logistics for scientists and thrill seekers alike.<br />
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He’s worked with a remarkable range of clients in incredibly out-there locations (for example, the South Africans who wanted to swim the Bering Strait) and he credits his theater training—specifically from professor <b>Dan Anteau, B.A. ’96</b>—with his success. “He taught me a lot about the technical side of theater… being prepared, knowing how to design things,” Peter said of Dan, who now serves as department chair. “He teaches to be out in front of problems rather than let problems be out in front of you.” In other words, “Drive the bus, don’t ride the bus.” As a guide with guests counting on him for safety, comfort, local know-how and camaraderie, that’s an incredibly useful skill to have.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtrPnyHuL7s/V2B-Rqx07RI/AAAAAAAACFQ/sjlQaSzoIJUTXQpb3Gu-hUetAbcFTdvMwCLcB/s1600/2016-june-uaa-tourism-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Chris Evans and Devin Frey appear in ‘Stalking the Bogeyman,’ which travels the state this summer, closing in June at the Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez. (Photo by Phil Hall / University of Alaska Anchorage)" border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AtrPnyHuL7s/V2B-Rqx07RI/AAAAAAAACFQ/sjlQaSzoIJUTXQpb3Gu-hUetAbcFTdvMwCLcB/s320/2016-june-uaa-tourism-3.jpg" title="Chris Evans and Devin Frey" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chris Evans and Devin Frey appear in ‘Stalking the<br />Bogeyman,’ which travels the state this summer, closing in<br />June at the Last Frontier Theatre Conference in Valdez. <br />(Photo by Phil Hall / University of Alaska Anchorage)</td></tr>
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And of course there’s still theater in the theater. Look for the <a href="https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/theatreanddance/stalking-the-bogeyman/">traveling roadshow</a> of <a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/alumni-spirit/1063/staging-the-bogeyman/">UAA’s Stalking the Bogeyman</a> across the state this summer, starring <b>Devin Frey, B.A. ’15</b>, and <b>Chris Evans, B.A. ’16</b>. The play closes at the <a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/25155/last-frontier-theatre-conference-takes-stage/?a">Last Frontier Theatre Conference</a>, an artistic festival that brings hundreds of Alaskans (and a few out-of-state theater tourists) to Valdez in June.<br />
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For one final alumni connection, <b>Dawson Moore, B.A. </b><b>’</b><b>97</b>, a theater professor at Prince William Sound College, organizes the annual conference.<br />
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<b>Civil engineering: If you build it, they will come</b><br />
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Tourists don’t often think about civil engineers. That just means they’ve done an excellent job.<br />
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“Tourism and civil engineering very much go hand in hand,” noted <b>Audrey Russo, B.S. ’16</b>, who worked in tourism before earning her engineering degree. “You cannot travel anywhere in this state without civil engineering; you cannot even get here without using it unless you pull an <i>Into the Wild</i>,” she added. And she’s right—whether you enter Alaska via airport, boat dock, or driving up the AlCan, engineers designed that transportation infrastructure.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQKZJWCRE4c/V2B_GIn0oNI/AAAAAAAACFc/kfUNL_KRxX4IO3X6iQXg4xVR5xb0gedCwCLcB/s1600/2016-june-uaa-tourism-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Zach Baker’s team of four designed potential boat haulouts on the Kasilof River (including this sharkskin design) for Alaska State Parks. (Image courtesy Zach Baker)" border="0" height="238" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQKZJWCRE4c/V2B_GIn0oNI/AAAAAAAACFc/kfUNL_KRxX4IO3X6iQXg4xVR5xb0gedCwCLcB/s320/2016-june-uaa-tourism-4.png" title="Zach Baker" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zach Baker’s team of four designed potential boat haulouts<br />on the Kasilof River (including this sharkskin design)<br />for Alaska State Parks.<br />(Image courtesy Zach Baker)</td></tr>
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For years, engineering seniors have enrolled in a <a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/40304/helping-students-bridge-to-engineering-careers/?a">senior capstone</a>, where they serve as design consultants on real-life projects. Each group partners with a local engineer, who guides their class assignment, and tasks often highlight tourism infrastructure (this year’s projects included trail connections in Bicentennial Park and piping fresh water to Eagle Glacier). Recent grad <b>Zach Baker, B.S. ’16</b>, gathered input from Kenai communities to design a drift boat takeout that opened four more miles of the Kasilof River for fishing. “Our team had to come up with a system that allowed boats to be removed but not launched at the river, while keeping it simple enough for a single user to operate,” he said. You may just see his team’s sharkskin ramp in action soon.<br />
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The capstone requirement, overall, is a résumé-boosting networking boon. “It’s like having a free semester-long interview, which is huge,” said mentor <b>Anne Brooks, B.S. ’88</b>, owner of Brooks & Associates.<br />
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Case in point: <b>Sarah Mobley, B.S. ’11</b>, who <a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/33518/senior-project-becomes-campground-and-a-career/?a">designed a visitor’s center</a> for Alaska State Parks as part of her senior capstone. After graduation—surprise!—she landed a job with Alaska State Parks and served as lead engineer for the K’esugi Ken campground, the largest state parks project ever completed (yes, it just happened to be the project she worked on as an undergraduate, too).<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p2XOsAEyQvE/V2CAkMKacfI/AAAAAAAACFo/wQc-Z2-YlIsJaapjLyzG7GjPBkGRlftiQCLcB/s1600/2016-june-uaa-tourism-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sarah Mobley helped design the K’esugi Ken campground for Alaska State Parks as an undergrad. As an alumna, she helmed the project as an employee. (Photo by Emily Angel, Alaska State Parks)" border="0" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p2XOsAEyQvE/V2CAkMKacfI/AAAAAAAACFo/wQc-Z2-YlIsJaapjLyzG7GjPBkGRlftiQCLcB/s320/2016-june-uaa-tourism-5.jpg" title="Sarah Mobley" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sarah Mobley helped design the K’esugi Ken campground<br />for Alaska State Parks as an undergrad. As an alumna, she<br />helmed the project as an employee.<br />(Photo by Emily Angel, Alaska State Parks)</td></tr>
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For his senior capstone, <b>Mahear Aboueid, B.S. ’09</b>, worked on early designs for the recently completed West Dowling expansion. He’s now a project engineer for the Department of Transportation, currently expanding the parking at Lake Hood, a buzzing summertime lifeline for tourism. “Our AK DOT motto is ‘Keeping Alaska moving through service and infrastructure,’” he noted. “I am proud to help maintain and improve Alaska for residents, tourism and businesses.”<br />
<br />
“We would not have tourism without civil engineering,” added Audrey. With a degree in hand, she’s optimistic about the future. “Most of the infrastructure in this state is over 50 years old or coming up on it,” she noted. “That is about the lifespan for a lot of structures. There will be a need in the near future to update a lot of the infrastructure in Alaska, which hopefully means a lot of jobs for civil engineers.”<br />
<br />
So no matter where you (or your guests) travel in Alaska this summer, know that UAA had a helping hand in the process. And if you’ve moved Outside, come back and see us! There’s always a chance your pilot is a UAA graduate, too.<br />
<br />
<i>Written by J. Besl, UAA Office of University Advancement. <a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/42757/uaa-alumni-behind-wheel-alaska-tourism/?a">This story originally appeared in Green & Gold News on May 11, 2016.</a></i><br />
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Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-13579294441286035922016-05-23T13:52:00.003-08:002016-05-23T13:52:43.545-08:00Donald Gibbs named UAA Aviation Technology Division directorFollowing a nationwide search, Donald “Ralph” Gibbs has been named the new director of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Aviation Technology Division. He will join the division on Aug. 1, succeeding Rocky Capozzi, who has served as the director since 2006 and will be retiring.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z4KnOWtGyPE/V0NLV0pD7AI/AAAAAAAACEo/Go7uvA2tGAwc6htW9CZFr2GBUk7H8lNHACLcB/s1600/2016-may-uaa-aviation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="UAA's Aviation Technology Division will welcome a new director in August following the retirement of current director Rocky Capozzi." border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z4KnOWtGyPE/V0NLV0pD7AI/AAAAAAAACEo/Go7uvA2tGAwc6htW9CZFr2GBUk7H8lNHACLcB/s320/2016-may-uaa-aviation.jpg" title="Aviation Technology Division Director" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UAA's Aviation Technology Division will welcome<br />
a new director in August following the retirement<br />
of current director Rocky Capozzi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"The Aviation Technology Division director is a key leadership position for our college,” said Bonnie Nygard, interim dean of the UAA Community & Technical College. “Ralph will be responsible for providing vision and guidance to ensure our aviation programs align with the needs of Alaska’s aviation industry, as well as the needs of the aviation industry both nationally and internationally.”<br />
<br />
Gibbs comes to UAA from Eastern Kentucky University where he has served as director of aviation and chief flight instructor since 2011. His previous experience includes 26 years in the United States Marine Corps where he served in a number of capacities, including as a flight instructor training Navy, Marine and Coast Guard personnel.<br />
<br />
As an aviator he logged more than 4,500 hours in helicopter gunships, twin-engine observation aircraft and Beechcraft King Air 200 aircraft. He later served as an executive officer, overseeing all airport operations for Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, and chief financial officer for squadrons in the Marine Pacific Forces.<br />
<br />
He began his career in higher education following his retirement from the military and has also held the position of deputy director of aviation at Central Oregon Community College and program director for Oregon Institute of Technology’s operations management degree.<br />
<br />
Gibbs completed his bachelor’s degree in sociology at Portland State University and earned an MBA with an aviation emphasis from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in business administration with an aviation emphasis from Northcentral University in Arizona.<br />
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<i>By Kirstin Olmstead, CTC Communications Coordinator</i><br />
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Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-91503522231483200852016-05-06T14:47:00.001-08:002016-05-19T08:46:45.535-08:00UAA’s Bridge to College & Careers helps adults return to college or the workforceFor individuals returning to the workforce after an extended absence, the thought of setting foot in a college classroom for training is often intimidating. Facing the fears of entering a formal educational setting often deters even the bravest of souls, especially those who have been out of college for a number of years or whose last academic experience was high school.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v3YRG4MpVX8/Vy0YR5AcQ1I/AAAAAAAACEU/-Bd2IGhFujczc2vO4IARWYOx9oXtpK4XgCLcB/s1600/2016-may-bridge-to-college.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The Bridge to College & Careers program was introduced to the region to address the barriers faced by adults who wish to re-enter the workforce or return to college." border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v3YRG4MpVX8/Vy0YR5AcQ1I/AAAAAAAACEU/-Bd2IGhFujczc2vO4IARWYOx9oXtpK4XgCLcB/s320/2016-may-bridge-to-college.jpg" title="Bridge to College & Careers" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bridge to College & Careers program was introduced<br />
to the region to address the barriers faced by adults who<br />
wish to re-enter the workforce or return to college.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In 2012, the Community & Technical College (CTC) at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) began working with the Mature Alaskans Seeking Skills Training (MASST) program through the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. The program is designed for adults over the age of 50 who are seeking work and facing those very anxieties and challenges.<br />
<br />
In response to the growing need for workforce training among Alaska adults, CTC’s Continuing Education Department created and implemented the Bridge to College & Careers program with the support of startup funds from a grant sponsored by the American Association of Community Colleges.<br />
<br />
The 120-hour workforce credential program was introduced to the region to address the barriers faced by adults who wish to re-enter the workforce or return to college. Highly qualified instructors help guide students to complete their academic assignments while motivating them to set high goals. The program provides training in five primary areas:<br />
<br />
–Computer Essentials, covers computer operation basics and introduction to applications and includes 50 hours of hands-on practice.<br />
<br />
–Effective Business Communication, features an English and grammar refresher and practice in written and oral communication.<br />
<br />
–Math Refresher, reviews basic mathematics commonly used in an office setting or an academic classroom.<br />
<br />
–Personal Finance, helps students understand banking procedures and how to manage one’s budget.<br />
<br />
–Job Search Preparation, guides students in professional resume development, jobs searches online and in the community and mock-interview sessions to hone presentation skills.<br />
<br />
Since implementation, Bridge to College & Careers has trained more than 200 individuals, many referred by the Alaska Labor Department’s MASST program, other state and federal programs with individuals seeking workforce training and by several of the regional Alaska tribal councils. In addition to those supported by various agencies in their training endeavors, many individuals are self-referred and seeking education and training independently.<br />
<br />
The Alaska Labor Department reports that 98 percent of the participants who have completed the bridge program have been successful in returning to the workforce. The department also observed that annual pay rates are $14,000 higher for those who have completed the program versus others in the workforce without the additional training.<br />
<br />
The program’s high standards of quality and rigor and the support of local and regional professionals who volunteered to conduct mock interviews for the Job Search Preparation capstone prepared participants to leave the program ready to interview for their next career!<br />
<br />
<b>About the Continuing Education Department</b><br />
<i><a href="http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/continuinged">Continuing Education</a> is proud to be part of the UAA Community & Technical College. The department offers more than 175 sessions of noncredit and workforce training programs each semester as well as hundreds of online training options. Class schedules can be viewed online at uaa.alaska.edu/continuinged.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>All community members are welcome to enroll in Continuing Education classes. The department is located at the University Center, Suite 130, on Old Seward Highway in Anchorage. We Train. You Grow. Alaska Succeeds.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Story by Dana Thorp Patterson, Director, Continuing Education Department</i><br />
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Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-53513943996946982322016-04-25T07:50:00.003-08:002016-04-25T07:51:22.453-08:00Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation to move to UAA College of HealthThe Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation (HPER) will move from the UAA Community & Technical College (CTC) to the UAA College of Health (COH), effective July 1, 2016.<br />
<br />
“The decision to move the HPER department to the College of Health was made after much consultation between college leadership,” said Bonnie Nygard, CTC interim dean. “The success of our students is always our first and foremost concern. We believe this move helps connect students more closely to all health-related academic resources on campus.”<br />
<br />
The primary reason for this move is one of mission alignment. The department’s Physical Education bachelor’s degree and minors complement programs currently offered by the College of Health, especially as COH places an increasing emphasis on preparing professionals to meet the health needs of Alaskans.<br />
<br />
“We look forward to having students and faculty in the Department of Health, Physical Education & Recreation join us in the College of Health next fall,” said COH Dean William Hogan. “The college is the central hub for health education in the state, and we recognize the value of physical education to the health and well-being of Alaska’s individuals and communities.”<br />
<br />
Most of this transition will take place behind the scenes and will not impact students directly. The registration process for classes will remain the same. Students can move forward with confidence knowing that department faculty will be transitioning with them. At this time, the physical location of the department and faculty offices will remain the same.<br />
<br />
Current students should contact the HPER office at (907) 786-4083 or <a href="mailto:UAA_hper@uaa.alaska.edu">UAA_hper@uaa.alaska.edu</a> with questions.<br />
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Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-25572589154930963632016-04-18T07:52:00.001-08:002016-04-18T07:52:25.584-08:00Denise Runge named new UAA Community & Technical College deanFollowing a national search, Denise Runge has been named the new dean of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Community & Technical College (CTC). She will join CTC on July 1, succeeding Bonnie Nygard, who has served as the college's interim dean since July 2014.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g-HzwM603B8/VxFoSGLMl3I/AAAAAAAACEE/w-2UeGo7Uy0AaLsgPTRNZRlfVfYmun5HgCLcB/s1600/2016-april-denise-runge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Denise Runge has been named the new dean of the UAA Community & Technical College." border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g-HzwM603B8/VxFoSGLMl3I/AAAAAAAACEE/w-2UeGo7Uy0AaLsgPTRNZRlfVfYmun5HgCLcB/s1600/2016-april-denise-runge.jpg" title="Denise Runge" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Denise Runge, Ph.D.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"I am eager to join with our industry partners, faculty, staff, students and other CTC constituents to extend and expand upon the great work of the college," said Runge. "I am honored to continue building Alaska’s workforce together."<br />
<br />
Runge comes to the Anchorage campus from Prince William Sound College (PWSC) in Valdez where she has been serving as the associate director of academic affairs and associate professor of business and public administration since July 2015.<br />
<br />
Prior to coming to PWSC, Runge served as associate dean of academics at Helena College (formerly Helena College of Technology), a two-year college in the Montana University System offering certificates and degrees in career and technical education, as well as general transfer degrees.<br />
<br />
Her background includes academic leadership experience as vice president of academic affairs at Oglethorpe University and dean of the College of Arts & Letters at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM). In addition, she taught at USM, as well as community colleges in Georgia and Alabama.<br />
<br />
Runge brings considerable experience in the areas of fundraising, community and industry partnership building and leading during organizational change. She holds a Ph.D. in political science with an emphasis in public policy and administration from the University of Alabama.<br />
<br />Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-46904218551121515682016-04-11T15:23:00.002-08:002016-04-13T14:06:19.259-08:00UAA construction management teams secure second and third place wins at national competition<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cZpeBtwqcTA/VwwcAFH3lwI/AAAAAAAACDc/4A2KT5htjjYxydOV3GPxogE4rO4QT2EuA/s1600/2016-april-civil-commercial-teams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="UAA Construction management students secured a second and third place win at this year's national Associated Schools of Construction Competition." border="0" height="266" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cZpeBtwqcTA/VwwcAFH3lwI/AAAAAAAACDc/4A2KT5htjjYxydOV3GPxogE4rO4QT2EuA/s400/2016-april-civil-commercial-teams.jpg" title="ASC Competition" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UAA construction management students secured a second and third place win<br />
at this year's national Associated Schools of Construction Competition.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
UAA construction management students may have entered this year’s Associated Schools of Construction (ASC) Competition feeling as if they faced overwhelming odds, but they soon proved they were up to the challenge when they seized a second and third place win.<br />
<br />
"Our success came from our ability to work together as a team," said UAA student Nathan Yaskell, captain of the commercial project team. "We all supported each other and helped one another when we needed it. We focused on practicing and preparing for the competition months in advance which is what made these wins so rewarding."<br />
<br />
The ASC is a professional association focused on the development and advancement of construction education. Each February it hosts the annual ASC Competition, a grueling three-day event in which student teams must respond to a real-world request for proposal for a large commercial or public project.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0j3sn2dX8hQ/VwwcLc3jciI/AAAAAAAACDg/-eXRuCOD43Ia7LMiJ79o09ybDyOA4q3wA/s1600/2016-april-commercial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The commercial team finished in second place. Back row from L to R: John Maguire, Zacharias Quam, Jacob Craig, David Freswick II, Jeff Wilson, Industry Coach Front row L to R: Don Tipton, Faculty Coach, Nathan Yaskell, Ryan Honea" border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0j3sn2dX8hQ/VwwcLc3jciI/AAAAAAAACDg/-eXRuCOD43Ia7LMiJ79o09ybDyOA4q3wA/s320/2016-april-commercial.jpg" title="Commercial Team" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The commercial team finished in second place. Back row<br />
from L to R: John Maguire, Zacharias Quam, Jacob Craig,<br />
David Freswick II, Jeff Wilson, Industry Coach<br />
Front row L to R: Don Tipton, Faculty Coach,<br />
Nathan Yaskell, Ryan Honea.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Projects are generated by construction management companies who are competition sponsors and were awarded the contracts in real life. Student teams must put their estimating, scheduling and proposal skills to use to produce a set of deliverables in a compressed 16-hour time frame that would typically take a contractor or construction management firm a couple of weeks to prepare.<br />
<br />
This year’s competition held in Sparks, Nevada, attracted 182 teams from 46 universities, totaling more than 1,300 student participants. UAA competed in the commercial and heavy civil categories, the event’s top two competitions. Thanks to generous donations from community members and corporations in the construction industry, this is the first year UAA sent a second team to compete. For the last nine years, UAA teams have competed in the commercial category, taking home a second place win in 2009 and a first place win in 2011.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnfbJ_mgXTc/VwwcTQImyfI/AAAAAAAACDk/bcPrdIgXfIoCKIImVeHxAZ4xCcIXFSNQw/s1600/2016-april-heavy-civil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The heavy civil team finished in third place. Back row from L to R: Chase Swalling, Erin Dickson, Conor Nicoll, Jeff Wilson, Industry Coach. Front row L to R: Don Tipton, Faculty Coach, Brett Smith, Rodolfo Vaquera, Jake Henkel." border="0" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nnfbJ_mgXTc/VwwcTQImyfI/AAAAAAAACDk/bcPrdIgXfIoCKIImVeHxAZ4xCcIXFSNQw/s320/2016-april-heavy-civil.jpg" title="Heavy Civil Team" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The heavy civil team finished in third place. Back row from<br />
L to R: Chase Swalling, Erin Dickson, Conor Nicoll,<br />
Jeff Wilson, Industry Coach.<br />
Front row L to R: Don Tipton, Faculty Coach,<br />
Brett Smith, Rodolfo Vaquera, Jake Henkel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"We're really proud of our students," said Don Tipton, assistant professor of construction management and the team’s faculty coach. "To say the competition is fierce is an understatement. Our teams competed against 11 of the top construction management programs in the country including Colorado State, Brigham Young, Northern Arizona, Air Force Academy, Boise State and Arizona State. This is truly a tale of David versus Goliath – simply amazing!"<br />
<br />
Tipton added that many other construction management programs are much larger than UAA’s and may receive as many as 60 applicants for a team’s six primary and two alternate spots. In comparison, the entire UAA program is about 80 students which makes it challenging to recruit 16 students for the two teams. He noted that some other schools have construction management classes specifically designed for the ASC Competition and even offer credit for competition participation.<br />
<br />
"Our students faced a lot of challenges many of the other schools don’t have," Tipton said. "They had to raise $23,000 to make this trip a reality. Without the support of Alaska’s construction industry, we couldn’t have competed, and the students would have missed out on an unparalleled training opportunity to bring to the workforce."<br />
<br />
The 2016 UAA Construction Management student competitors would like to thank the following individuals and companies whose generous contributions made participation in this year’s ASC Competition possible: <br />
<br />
AACEI Alaska Section<br />
AJ Bear Piekarski<br />
Anchorage Sand and Gravel<br />
Carberry Assoc<br />
Construction Industry Progress Fund<br />
Donald Ketner and Dorene Lukas<br />
Dowland-Bach<br />
Edge Survey and Design<br />
Frawner Corporation<br />
GCI<br />
Global CPT<br />
Granite Construction Company<br />
Green Earth Landworks<br />
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302<br />
Jacob T. Henkel<br />
Knik Construction<br />
Neeser Construction<br />
Northern Geotechnical Engineering<br />
Olgoonik Specialty Contractors<br />
Pita Pit<br />
PND Engineers<br />
Point MacKenzie Construction & Management<br />
Spenard Builders Supply<br />
The Superior Group<br />
Swalling Construction<br />
Tamie and Paul Taylor<br />
TS Construction<br />
<br />
<i>Story by Kirstin Olmstead, CTC Communications Coordinator with Don Tipton, Assistant Professor of Construction Management</i>Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-65963763755611517572016-03-29T08:39:00.001-08:002016-04-07T11:06:59.918-08:00Air Force ROTC cadet hones leadership skills at national conferenceTyler Stevens joined Air Force ROTC to serve his country and develop his leadership skills. At this year’s National Character and Leadership Symposium he had the opportunity to do just that.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pNSyeWrZSyA/Vvm7N4Zh67I/AAAAAAAACDI/EXhs0ltl8MY1gdMpbJQntbEYeZD4Zbf1Q/s1600/2016-march-tyler-stevens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Tyler Stevens is part of the Air Force ROTC at UAA. He attended this year's National Character and Leadership Symposium in Colorado Springs." border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pNSyeWrZSyA/Vvm7N4Zh67I/AAAAAAAACDI/EXhs0ltl8MY1gdMpbJQntbEYeZD4Zbf1Q/s400/2016-march-tyler-stevens.jpg" title="Tyler Stevens" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tyler Stevens is part of the Air Force ROTC at UAA.<br />
He attended this year's National Character and<br />
Leadership Symposium in Colorado Springs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The University of Alaska Anchorage electrical engineering student and Eagle River High School alumnus was nominated to make the chance-of-a-lifetime trip because of his outstanding performance as a member of UAA’s ROTC Detachment 001.<br />
<br />
The symposium is an annual event held at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, that brings together scholars, military leaders, corporate presidents and world-class athletes to discuss the power of character and leadership.<br />
<br />
“Tyler’s smart and extremely motivated,” noted detachment commander Lt. Col. Matthew Beer. “He’s got the kind of character that will make him a superb future leader.”<br />
<br />
This year’s list of speakers included several astronauts, the consul general of Pakistan, NFL quarterback Colt McCoy, Purple Heart recipient Staff Sgt. Spencer Stone and Army 1st Lt. Shaye Haver, one of the first females to graduate from Army Ranger school and earn the elite Ranger tab.<br />
<br />
“Chief Master Sgt. José Barraza’s talk on professionalism and the profession of arms was my favorite,” said Stevens. “He’s a phenomenal speaker and his discussion about how being a leader in the Air Force changed his life was truly inspiring.”<br />
<br />
Participation in the symposium also gave Stevens a chance to reflect on what makes ROTC and UAA so special.<br />
<br />
“UAA is such an open and diverse place, with people from all over. It’s easy to develop a broader view of the world in a place where the faculty and students are so inclusive.”<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Air Force ROTC is proud to be part of the UAA Community & Technical College. For more information visit <a href="http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/afrotc">uaa.alaska.edu/afrotc</a>.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Story by Lt. Col. Matthew Beer, Air Force ROTC Detachment 001 Commander</i><br />
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Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-19836235963774950172016-03-11T08:58:00.003-09:002016-03-11T08:58:44.298-09:00UAA Chugiak-Eagle River Campus to host Kids' College this summerThe UAA Chugiak-Eagle River Campus (CERC) will host Kids’ College in June for youth and teens ages 11 to 14.<br />
<br />
Kids’ College, offered through UAA Continuing Education, provides courses for students in art, language, culinary and computer technology for students. In recent years, CERC has partnered with Continuing Education to host summer reading programs for students of all ages and anticipates the introduction of Kids’ College as well.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WKggBeO48ks/VuL-NdWUqCI/AAAAAAAACC0/rMzIteIDGEgdeAMxuUlYIfy1xpL5ZQEKA/s1600/2016-march-kids-college-eagle-river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WKggBeO48ks/VuL-NdWUqCI/AAAAAAAACC0/rMzIteIDGEgdeAMxuUlYIfy1xpL5ZQEKA/s320/2016-march-kids-college-eagle-river.jpg" title="Kids' College" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex Lehman, left, and Simon Mitchell work on one of their<br />projects during the creative coding class at<br />UAA Continuing Education Kids’ College in summer 2015.<br />(Photo by Theodore Kincaid/University of Alaska Anchorage)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
“We’re excited to bring these innovative experiences in technology to Eagle River,” said Continuing Education Director Dana Thorp Patterson.<br />
<br />
Students will have the opportunity to enroll in creative learning classes in video game animation and Minecraft while building fundamental skills in basic scripting, coding and physics. The $225 half-day courses will run at CERC this June with parallel course offerings available through June and July in Anchorage. Anchorage courses are available for youth as young as 9.<br />
<br />
“I can't even express how excited we are about the UAA Kids’ College program,” said Willow Peyton, whose son attended Kids’ College in summer 2015. “This program cultivates the inner geek and allows safe exploration of the tech world we are living in. The instructors were very knowledgeable and fun.”<br />
<br />
Kids’ College instructor John Sanders, Syracuse University doctoral student and Eagle River High School alumnus, believes in the influence of fun in education. He earned dual bachelor’s degrees in comparative literature and digital humanities pedagogy and game scholarship from the University of Massachusetts in 2015.<br />
<br />
“When students are in a position where they’re not crippled by the fear of failure, they can take a lot more risks and have a bit more fun with what they’re doing,” said Sanders. “This leads to a really positive atmosphere of learning and some truly awesome games.”<br />
<br />
According to Thorp Patterson, students enrolled in youth programs experience a higher education learning environment with a diverse group of peers. More than 280 students from Wasilla, Palmer, Chugiak, Eagle River, Anchorage and Girdwood were enrolled in Kids’ College in 2015. The students received professional instruction in a hands-on setting and were introduced to the concept of lifelong learning in a safe, supervised classroom.<br />
<br />
UAA Continuing Education, part of the Community & Technical College, offers youth and teen programming throughout the year at the University Center in Anchorage and the Chugiak-Eagle River Campus. Regular course options include Babysitter Training, Introduction to CPR, ACT Test Prep, languages and culinary classes.<br />
<br />
To register for Kids' College, visit www.uaa.alaska.edu/continuinged. Explore more lifelong learning opportunities in the Chugiak-Eagle River community with for-credit and non-credit classes by visiting www.uaa.alaska.edu/eagleriver.<br />
<br />
<i>Story by Mariah Olney, Communications Coordinator, UAA Chugiak-Eagle River Campus</i><br />
<br />Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-49713021865182954272016-02-29T15:26:00.001-09:002016-03-01T08:19:45.467-09:00Final candidates for CTC dean announced, open forums to be heldThe search committee for the position of dean of the UAA Community & Technical College is proud to announce two final candidates.<br />
<br />
Open forums are scheduled to provide candidates the opportunity to introduce themselves and to present briefly on the topic of how career and technical education program delivery is changing. Following the presentation, there will be a town hall-style Q-and-A. All faculty, staff, students, advisory committee members and members of the UAA community are invited to attend.<br />
<br />
The open forums will be recorded and links made available post-event on the <a href="https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/ctc/dean-search/final-candidates.cfm">CTC Dean Search website</a>. Completion of feedback surveys available on the website is encouraged. Please <a href="https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/ctc/dean-search/final-candidates.cfm">visit the website</a> for full details.<br />
<br />
<b>Alan Fugleberg</b><br />
Director, Kodiak Campus<br />
Friday, March 4, 2016, 11 a.m.-noon<br />
Rasmuson Hall, Room 101<br />
<br />
<b>Dr. Denise K. Runge</b><br />
Associate Director of Academic Affairs<br />
Prince William Sound College<br />
Tuesday, March 8, 2016, 11 a.m.-noon<br />
Health Sciences Building, Room 110<br />
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<br />Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-24527755045867329842016-02-17T15:06:00.003-09:002016-02-17T15:06:43.282-09:00Al Grant: Health and safety expertise makes sound career choice<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wyb69GAvoGQ/VsUJ2uVvZBI/AAAAAAAACCk/2RO_yHU-mj4/s1600/2015-february-al-grant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Al Grant made health and safety his career. Now he and colleague Phillip Galloway are working with CTC and industry professionals to launch a bachelor’s degree to meet demand in the field. (Photo by Philip Hall/University of Alaska Anchorage)" border="0" height="265" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wyb69GAvoGQ/VsUJ2uVvZBI/AAAAAAAACCk/2RO_yHU-mj4/s400/2015-february-al-grant.jpg" title="Al Grant" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Al Grant made health and safety his career. Now he and colleague<br />Phillip Galloway are working with CTC and industry professionals <br />to launch a bachelor’s degree to meet demand in the field.<br />(Photo by Philip Hall/University of Alaska Anchorage)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It all started when Al Grant volunteered to do something outside the scope of his normal job, and it changed his life.<br />
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As an airman in the U.S. Air Force, Grant’s primary responsibility was to drive fuel trucks, which he’d been doing since he first enlisted in 1978. His reasoning behind the selection was twofold—driving fuel trucks afforded him the flexibility to select his assignment location, as well as an accelerated promotion following basic training.<br />
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At the time, Grant was eager to prove himself. He had left the University of South Carolina partway through his sophomore year after realizing he wasn’t sure what he really wanted to do.<br />
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His parents had stressed to him and his nine siblings again and again the value of a getting a good education. As Grant explained, his parents were nonprofessional people who were committed to finding a way for their children to go to college if they wanted to pursue their education beyond high school. Of course, graduating from high school was non-negotiable.<br />
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“It was ingrained in us that education was the pathway to advancement,” said Grant.<br />
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Not wanting to disappoint his parents, he regrouped and developed a new game plan for his future. That’s when he joined the military, and the military unexpectedly opened the door to the career path he couldn’t quite identify when he left college.<br />
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While stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, Grant volunteered for a year-long assignment as the safety coordinator for his supply squadron, which took him away from his role driving fuel trucks and placed him into a role performing inspections and leading safety training. The assignment was his first introduction to safety as a career path, and he fell in love with the job. Rather than return to his former role as a fuel truck driver, he applied for retraining and graduated from safety specialist school in 1984.<br />
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“That’s how I found my path into safety, and I’m just so fortunate that I did,” said Grant. “It’s a people business.”<br />
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Serving as a safety coordinator in the military gave Grant a unique opportunity to liaise with civilian safety professionals and to work under their supervision. While on active duty, he continued to pursue his education. He spent the last six years of his military career stationed in Alaska and completed his graduate work shortly after retiring.<br />
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Grant worked for a number of years in private industry but eventually found his way to Kenai Peninsula College’s (KPC) Anchorage extension where he was hired to be an assistant professor in the Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) associate degree program. In July 2015, Grant joined faculty in the UAA Community & Technical College when administration and delivery of the program transferred from KPC.<br />
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For Grant, safety is more than a passion, it’s a calling, which is evident in his teaching. When he explains the role of a safety professional, his eyes take on an intensity and his voice becomes earnest.<br />
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“Our sole pursuit is to identify hazards in the work environment that would likely lead to incidents, be it property loss, personal injury or damage to the environment, and devise ways to control those hazards,” he said. “Ideally, we’d like to eliminate them but in some cases that’s not possible. When we can’t eliminate them through design we try to provide adequate barriers between the hazard and our people.”<br />
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Grant elaborated that the whole purpose of the safety profession goes back to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. At the time, the United States was losing too many able-bodied Americans to workplace accidents. Congress passed legislation aimed at protecting the country’s human resources.<br />
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This paved the way for the rise of the occupational safety and health profession, particularly in industries that carry greater risk such as mining, aviation, oil and gas, and construction.<br />
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“Here in the state of Alaska our wealth is in our natural resources,” said Grant. “Getting our natural resources, in a lot of respects, is high-risk and high-hazard. So, we know we need people training in this profession consistently.”<br />
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This is the reason that senior representatives of the oil and gas industry approached the University of Alaska Statewide Office of Academic Affairs in late 2012 to discuss the growing industry need to hire Alaskans that hold a bachelor’s degree in the health and safety field. This led to the development of a statewide industry-university advisory board that recommended the development of an OSH bachelor’s degree program at UAA. The university responded by hiring another OSH faculty member to support program expansion.<br />
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At this time, CTC is preparing to launch a bachelor’s degree. Grant and his colleague Phillip Galloway are working closely with industry representatives to ensure the new degree meets the needs of Alaska’s major employers of safety professionals. Additionally, they are working to earn program accreditation through the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology Inc. or ABET. Accreditation signifies the program meets standards of quality and excellence that prepare students to enter the industry.<br />
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“I’m so invested in this business,” said Grant. “It’s the people element of this job that makes it so exciting and enjoyable. I want my students to know that even those times when you leave work at the end of the day and didn’t quite win that battle, the people are the reason you’re in the fray. This is the reason you’re willing to fight because you know it’s going to protect somebody.”<br />
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<i>Written by Kirstin Olmstead, Communications Coordinator, UAA Community & Technical College. </i><br />
<br />
<i><a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/40493/al-grant-health-and-safety-expertise-makes-sound-career-choice/">This story originally appeared in Green & Gold News on Feb. 17, 2016.</a></i>Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-73264281682998030122016-02-08T16:45:00.003-09:002016-02-08T16:46:00.391-09:00Local chef serves up Parisian sweet treats<i><a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/38395/local-chef-serves-up-parisian-sweet-treats/?a">This article originally appeared in Green & Gold News on Nov. 11, 2015.</a></i><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nJeXsnU7Y8k/VrlBsGMbgRI/AAAAAAAACCE/5RzOHOPid1A/s1600/2016-february-sam-wagner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sam Wagner, A.A.S. Culinary Arts ’12, honed her skills in the Cuddy Kitchens before starting with Sweet Caribou, the city’s booming macaron and pastry business. (Photo by Philip Hall / University of Alaska Anchorage)" border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nJeXsnU7Y8k/VrlBsGMbgRI/AAAAAAAACCE/5RzOHOPid1A/s320/2016-february-sam-wagner.jpg" title="Sam Wagner" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sam Wagner, A.A.S. Culinary Arts ’12, honed her skills in<br />
the Cuddy Kitchens before starting with Sweet Caribou,<br />
the city’s booming macaron and pastry business.<br />
(Photo by Philip Hall / University of Alaska Anchorage)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyone familiar with the Anchorage farmer’s market scene has probably seen these sweet cookies from Sweet Caribou. With eye-popping colors and inventive flavors (Pumpkin cheesecake! Maple bacon!), these delicious Parisian pastries called macarons have become a staple of the market circuit since James and Miranda Strong launched the business last year. The husband-and-wife team even traveled to Paris to learn the delicate pastry process firsthand, and Anchorage residents have fallen for this French import. After all, 4,400 Facebook fans can’t be wrong.<br />
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But big changes are ahead for the small family-owned baking outfit. Rather than keep tabs on Sweet Caribou’s traveling macaron stand, locals with a sweet tooth will finally be able to drop in at a permanent storefront for their cookie cravings. Sweet Caribou is expanding to meet demand, opening a permanent location later this year and adding a new pastry chef in culinary alumna Sam Wagner.<br />
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Sam has been in the pastry business since she started the culinary program at UAA. In fact, after graduating in 2013, she stayed on an extra year to hone her skills as a lab assistant for Chef Vern. “He’s awesome,” Sam said of the UAA culinary professor and pastry guru. “You can tell he loves what he does.”<br />
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Though she assisted students in their work, Sam credits that yearlong mentorship for boosting her skills as well. “I just feel like it gave me a huge leg up,” she said. By shifting immediately from student to teacher, Sam had to return to the textbooks and study up on everything she’d learned throughout her degree program. “You have to teach someone else to really show your mastery of something,” she said, adding that the experience was well suited to her new gig in the Sweet Caribou kitchens. By returning to old lessons and relearning every process, she became a more efficient baker with an improved eye for merging repetition and quality. Those skills translated to Sweet Caribou, a mass production bakery that prioritizes its artisan roots.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k14Pz30REcI/VrlCbt9lmXI/AAAAAAAACCI/6d-UJAx330Y/s1600/2016-february-macarons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Sweet Caribou produces at least 1,500 sweet, delicate (and complicated) macarons each week. (Photo courtesy of Sweet Caribou)" border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k14Pz30REcI/VrlCbt9lmXI/AAAAAAAACCI/6d-UJAx330Y/s320/2016-february-macarons.jpg" title="Macarons" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Caribou produces at least 1,500 sweet, <br />
delicate (and complicated) macarons each week.<br />
(Photo courtesy of Sweet Caribou)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sam estimates Sweet Caribou produces at least 1,500 macarons a week, yet each cookie is still handcrafted by pastry chefs. And that’s no small order. Macarons are well known for their extremely particular baking process. “It is very labor intensive,” she said of the recipe. Macarons are, as Sam lovingly calls them, “finicky little critters.”<br />
<br />
Although every pastry has a set of steps that must be followed, the margin for error in a macaron is exceptionally high. “A lot of times we have to play detective to figure out why we’re having problems,” Sam joked. The cookies are made with egg whites and without a leavening agent, so the challenges start as soon as Sam starts mixing the ingredients. Too much whipping and the over-aerated cookies leave the oven looking like tiny mountains. Too little whipping and the cookies spread out like liquid. If the oven is too hot, the cookies crack, but if it’s too cool they’ll flatten. The baking sheets may be the problem. But it could be the position in the oven, too. Then there are questions of quantity. How many do we make so we can sell them all in a day? How many do we make to keep from selling out at 10 a.m.? The whole process presents a daily culinary conundrum, though consistent cooking is key; each cookie must have a perfect pair to make the sandwich-style macarons. Every cookie pair is hand-piped with a delicate buttercream or ganache filling, lightly pressed together and left to cure as the macarons develop their flavors and textures over the next 24 hours.<br />
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“You have to find the happy medium in everything,” Sam commented of the daylong process. “When things are not cooperating, it can be a very long evening.”<br />
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Thankfully, the new kitchen will drastically streamline the baking process. Sweet Caribou quickly outgrew the Strong family kitchen, and they’ve been renting kitchen space for the past several months. That means each day the team moves all their ingredients in and out, getting acquainted with new ovens—and all their own individual quirks—on a regular basis. With a physical location, ingredients can be delivered direct to their door, meaning no more mid-shift Costco runs for bulk almond flour. “That’ll be amazing,” Sam laughed.<br />
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By the end of this year, Sam and her fellow chefs will be busy in the kitchens at Sweet Caribou’s new location (at 36th and Arctic in the old Cosmic Café). The space is currently being renovated to expand the kitchen and shrink the front of the house. The location will offer pick-up services—think display cases lined with colorful rows of their signature macarons, as well as cupcakes, brownies and blondies. With an expanded kitchen and an expanding team, Sweet Caribou is full of future opportunities. “It’s a very small business now, but big things are happening,” Sam said.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v3uf4HOwp1I/VrlDG17ELjI/AAAAAAAACCQ/kTIhzlQWdWo/s1600/2016-february-brownies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Though known for their macarons, Sweet Caribou also whips up cupcakes, brownies and blondies. (Photo courtesy of Sweet Caribou)" border="0" height="147" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v3uf4HOwp1I/VrlDG17ELjI/AAAAAAAACCQ/kTIhzlQWdWo/s400/2016-february-brownies.jpg" title="Brownies" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Though known for their macarons, Sweet Caribou also whips up cupcakes, <br />
brownies and blondies. (Photo courtesy of Sweet Caribou)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sam is still involved in UAA’s culinary program, regularly volunteering at the annual <a href="http://greenandgold.uaa.alaska.edu/blog/27804/celebrity-chef-invitational-raises-nearly-44000-student-scholarships/?a">Celebrity Chef Invitational</a> scholarship fundraiser and periodically drops in to visit Chef Vern. Although it’s been a few years since they worked side by side, they quickly fall back into easy conversation each time she stops by the Cuddy kitchens.<br />
<br />
Her time as a lab assistant in UAA’s culinary program allowed her to hone her skills and be ready when Sweet Caribou came knocking. “I really think there’s a lot of potential here and—once we have a home base—I think there’s a lot of ways we can expand,” she said. Though she was referring to Sweet Caribou’s growing artisan business, the same could be said about the potential of her own future pastry career.<br />
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<i>Can’t wait until the storefront opens? <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sweetcaribou/">Follow Sweet Caribou on Facebook</a> to find out their weekly market schedule.</i><br />
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<i>Written by J. Besl, UAA Office of University Advancement</i>Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-15960670503173967402016-02-01T12:06:00.000-09:002016-02-04T14:08:15.877-09:00UAA Community & Technical College Celebrates CTE Month®<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dVmaJOGkdTo" width="500"></iframe>
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<br />
February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month®, part of a nationwide celebration championed by the Association for Career and Technical Education. CTE prepares students for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, high-demand careers in Alaska. It is at the core of the UAA Community & Technical College’s (CTC) academic programs, which are integral to key state industries such as aviation, automotive, construction, hospitality, information technology, oil and gas, and occupational safety.<br />
<br />
Gov. Bill Walker underscored the benefits of career and technical education for the state in a <a href="http://1.usa.gov/1SU0Ds3">formal proclamation</a> effective Jan. 26, 2016. Throughout the month, CTC will feature stories on our social media accounts about the value of career and technical education to our students, staff, faculty and industry partners. Visit us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/uaactc">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/uaactc">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/UAACTC">YouTube</a> to learn more.Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3757998830237361959.post-26376984959530257682016-01-25T12:42:00.001-09:002016-01-25T12:42:32.111-09:00UAA and Continental launch new automotive technology apprenticeship programWith debt a looming concern for many college students today, the idea of going to school while earning a paycheck in one's field may sound too good to be true. The UAA Community & Technical College (CTC) is helping students do just that.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_Ix4o5nZMso" width="500"></iframe>
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<br />
CTC and Continental Auto Group finalized an agreement this month to offer registered apprenticeships for automotive technicians. The agreement marks the college’s first with local industry as part of its plan to embed apprenticeships within its academic and technical programs.<br />
<br />
"We are excited about this partnership with Continental," said Bonnie Nygard, interim dean of the Community & Technical College. "CTC is committed to providing students with quality training to prepare them for workforce entry. An apprenticeship gives students the advantage of classroom instruction and on-the-job training while earning a paycheck."<br />
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Registered apprenticeships are an earn-while-you-learn model. Students take college classes and pay tuition, but they are employees of the sponsoring apprenticeship organization, which means they are compensated while they receive hands-on training.<br />
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"We struggle to find automotive technicians," said Rich Swenson, Fixed Operations Director for Continental Auto Group. "So, it was really eye-opening to find out that we could partner with UAA to grow our own employees and develop a pipeline to find qualified applicants."<br />
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In addition to receiving college credit, students also earn national industry certification. A college’s participation in an apprenticeship program means its programs meet national standards for registration with the U.S. Department of Labor.<br />
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"Registered apprenticeships benefit Alaska’s employers by training workers to industry specifications, increasing workforce productivity, enhancing retention and developing future leadership," said John Hakala, state director of the Labor Department’s Office of Apprenticeship. "Apprentices benefit by learning on the job with current technology and equipment, and earn portable credentials and college credits."<br />
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CTC is the only college in Alaska to have joined the Registered Apprenticeships College Consortium or RACC. Participation in RACC signifies high standards of accountability and a commitment to curriculum best practices.<br />
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RACC members must have their programs evaluated by a third party organization to determine the college credit value of the apprenticeship completion certificate. All RACC college members must be degree-granting institutions that are accredited by a regional institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.<br />
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Registered apprenticeships have strong support at both the federal and state level and have been endorsed by President Barack Obama and Alaska Gov. Bill Walker.<br />
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For more information about CTC's apprenticeship programs, contact Jeff Selvey at (907) 786-7618 or jselvey@uaa.alaska.edu. Visit the Labor Department’s apprenticeship website at www.dol.gov/apprenticeship.
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWs313d346s/VqaPBO1TlxI/AAAAAAAACB0/aC82nondl80/s1600/2016-january-apprenticeships.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWs313d346s/VqaPBO1TlxI/AAAAAAAACB0/aC82nondl80/s400/2016-january-apprenticeships.png" title="UAA Apprenticeships" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Special thanks to the many people who made the automotive technology<br />
apprenticeship program possible!<br />
<br />
L to R: Tim Mills, Mazda/Volvo Service Manager; Jeff Selvey, UAA Project Manager; John Robinson, Nissan Service Manager; Jeff Libby, Director, UAA Transportation & Power Division; Madonna Johnson, UAA Career Pathways Coordinator; Kelly Smith, UAA Automotive Technology Instructor; Luis Silva, Mazda North American Operations; Brye Warner, Subaru Service Manager; Rich Swenson, Fixed Operations Director. Not pictured: Greg Luke, Honda/Acura Service Manager</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<i>Story by Kirstin Olmstead, CTC Communications Coordinator</i>Editor: CTC Communications Coordinatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15377877561643348809noreply@blogger.com