Our Team
Our Team
The College of Indigenous Studies is here to serve our students. Our team knows the
needs of Alaska’s rural and Native communities and are ready to assist you in meeting
your goals.
There are College of Indigenous Studies employees spread across the state ready to
work with you, no matter where you are.
Rural, Community and Native Education
Bryan Uher
Interim Vice Chancellor
Rural, Community and Native Education
302 Signers' Hall
Bryan Uher was appointed to serve as the ²ÊÉñix¹ÙÍø (UAF) interim vice chancellor of Rural, Community and Native Education on June 1, 2025. Prior to this appointment, he served as the associate vice chancellor of rural and workforce education beginning July 1st 2024.
Before taking on the the associate vice chancellor role, Uher served as interim dean for the Community and Technical College (CTC) from August 2nd, 2023 to June 30th, 2024 and as dean for the College of Rural and Community Development (CRCD) – now the College of Indigenous Studies – from July 1st, 2019 to August 1st, 2023. Uher has also served as the Director and administrative manager of the Interior Alaska Campus.
Uher, who was raised in Trapper Creek, Alaska, has been with the university for 24 years as both an employee and a student. He earned a certificate and associates in Applied Business from CTC, a bachelors in Rural Development from UAF, and a masters in Public Administration from the University of Alaska Southeast.
For more information about the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community and Native Education,
Jessica C. Black, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Chancellor
Rural, Community and Native Education
Izzy Martinez
Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor | Operations Officer
Rural, Community and Native Education
Jamie Ferns
Events Coordinator
Rural, Community & Native Education
College of Indigenous Studies
Vacant
Lead Human Resources Coordinator
Community & Technical College | College of Indigenous Studies
Carissa Hauck
Proposal Development Officer
Community & Technical College | College of Indigenous Studies
Chukchi Campus Staff
Minnie Naylor is originally from Kotzebue and has family from Noatak and Shishmaref. Minnie graduated from UAF in 2008 with a BA in Rural Development with an emphasis in Community Organizations and Services. In 2022, she earned her MA in Rural Development from the Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development.
Chukchi Campus Faculty
KuC Staff
Thomas Daniel
Library Circulation Assistant
tdaniel10@alaska.edu | 907-543-4544Kuskokwim Consortium Library
Mikayla Miller
Library Youth Services Assistant
msmiller8@alaska.edu | 907-543-4571Kuskokwim Consortium Library
Marybeth Whalen
Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center Manager
mrwhalen@alaska.edu | 907-543-4538Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center
KuC Faculty
Kelechuckwu "KC" Alu
Associate Professor of Developmental Math
kalu@alaska.edu | 907-543-4525Room 102
Sally Samson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Yup'ik and Culture
spsamson@alaska.edu | 907-543-4530Room 115
Lisa Strecker
Assistant Professor of Anthropology/Ethnobotany
lstrecker@alaska.edu | 907-699-6414Healy
NWC Staff
Gwendalyn Manniq Trigg-Stettenbenz
Admissions and Records Coordinator
gltriggkomakhuk@alaska.edu | 907-443-8403NWC Faculty
Ryan Ford
Construction Trades Technology Program
jford23@alaska.edu | 907-223-1287Construction Trades Technology program
Jackie Hrabok
Cooperative Extension and High Latitude Range Management
jhrabok@alaska.edu | 907-443-8412Cooperative Extension Program