April 1 — Begin fall 2024 priority registration (UAF degree students)

April 8 — Begin fall 2024 open registration (all UAF, UAA and UAS students, including nondegree students)

April 29 — Last day of instruction

April 30 - May 4 — Final examinations

May 4 — Graduation Ceremony 1pm at the Carlson Center

May 5 — Residence halls close at noon

May 8 — Deadline for faculty to post grades at noon

✨April Student Highlight✨

Leisha Lozano

Your name and where you are from

Leisha Lozano, Kongiganak, Ak.

Tell us about yourself.

I'm a senior in college majoring in social work and minoring in Alaska Native Studies. I will be graduating this Spring with my Bachelor's degree. I've recently applied to UAA's Masters of Social Work program and plan on going for my masters Fall 2024. This summer I plan on doing an internship with the Calista Intern Program. I'm currently doing my social work practicum in a school setting and have been involved in a few community events. 

What doors has UAF opened for you?

Attending UAF has been a transformative experience. It has opened so many opportunities for me such as connecting with professionals in my field of study and gaining mentors that help guide me towards my goals. It has also provided me with so many resources that help further my career. Not only has this university provided me with an education but it has equipped me with skills, experiences, and connections to succeed in my career and future.

What internships have you done?

I've done internships with Coastal Villages Region Fund and Calista Corporation.

What extra curricular activities are you involved with and why are they important to you?

I've been involved with the Inu-Yupiaq Dance group. Being a part of this group is important to me because it allows me to connect with my heritage and cultural identity. It also allows me to reflect on my cultural traditions, values, and history. 

What has motivated you at UAF?

My friends have motivated me here at campus. It's nice having friends to talk to, spend time with and share laughter. Not only that but we also work on homework together and being able to do homework with friends is motivating. 

What are some of the challenges you've faced as a student at UAF and how have you overcome them? 

A challenge I've faced is being stressed out over assignments. When I'm stressed out over assignments I like to pause what I'm doing and just get out of the dorms and get some fresh air. This really helps me release the stress so that I can go back and have the energy to finish where I left off.

Do you have any advice for your fellow students?

Advice I would give is to keep going. No matter how stressful or overwhelming college may be, keep going. Time flies by so fast, one day you'll be a freshman in college then in the blink of an eye you will be a senior getting ready to graduate with your degree.

The Dennis Demmert award provides an opportunity for students to nominate a person whom they feel has positively impacted their academic efforts at UAF. 2024 marks the 29th year the RSS students and staff will recognize individuals at UAF whose efforts demonstrate UAF's goal of being the educational center for Alaska Native Students. During the 1994 Native Summit at UAF, Dennis Demmert recommended that something be done to recognize individuals whose actions have proved their support. The name was changed from RSS Appreciation and Recognition Award to the Dennis Demmert Appreciation and Recognition Award in honor of the many years of service that Dennis has given for the betterment of the Alaska Native community.

Nominations due Friday, April 12th by 5:00pm!

To nominate a UAF faculty or staff member, fill out this form: Dennis Demmert Award Nomination.

Remember to pick up your Red Sash!***

Commencement (Graduation) Ceremony will be held at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks as well as at several of our other community campuses. See the following link for a list of dates and times - Ceremonies & Celebrations

UAF will celebrate its 102nd commencement at 1pm, Saturday, May 4, 2024, at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks.



Your hard work has paid off, and we want to celebrate your success! Red sashes honor your success and recognizes the importance of our Alaska Native and Indigenous graduates. You can pick up your sash at the Brooks Building with Rural Student Services now until May 3rd. We will also have red sashes available at the commencement. Detailed information on commencement is at this website: https://www.uaf.edu/commence/

Check your contact information in UAOnline to confirm that your correct mailing address is on record. (You want to check this anyway because the Graduation Office will mail your diploma to this address too!)

Congratulations and best wishes to you on the final stretch of this semester.

It's that time to schedule fall courses! Remember to make an appointment with your advisor. Appointments can be made by calling RSS at 907-474-7871 or here through Nanook Navigator: https://www.uaf.edu/ruralss/advising-appointments/index.php

Chance to win a three-credit tuition waiver!

When you aren't working on your studies, be sure to start applying for financial aid. Not only will it help you next semester, but you could win some awesome prizes from us! The Competition runs from February 1st-April 26th.

If you fill out any financial aid applications (including the FAFSA!) for the fall 2024 semester, let your advisor know and you'll be entered to win a three-credit tuition waiver. There is one entry per piece, so the more you fill out, the higher your chances are of winning!

Rural Student Services will be conducting our year end survey. The survey is available by paper at RSS and online. This is our chance to learn how to best serve our students. We would like to hear your feedback, and this will also give you a chance to win a BIG 💲 prize!

Akima Opportunities

NANA Shareholders: Akima will be here on April 13th for a pizza meet & greet! Stop by to learn about summer internship opportunities.

We appreciate every donation and all the support we have received. You are the reason that we can continue with all that we do in support of our students at RSS! Thank you to the UAF Alumni Association for sponsoring Look for Nook. RSS and RAHI were able to donate to a giving day fund of their choice.

UA is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer, educational institution and provider and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination.

Contact

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Rural Student Services

PO Box 756320, Fairbanks, AK 99775

(907)-474-7871

"Student success is achieved with the help of family, a group of persons of common ancestry. At Rural Student Services, I feel at home."

- Karly Gundersen, Port Lions