Story by Ivy Packee, a sophomore pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a SOM student marketing assistant.

Amanda White is a stand-out instructor, director, mentor and community member. It was just a few years ago when the School of Management gained an incredible leader who has changed the lives of countless students. So, what attracted Amanda to SOM?

“My partner worked seasonally in Alaska for five years before we officially decided to make the move to Fairbanks,” she said. “When I would visit, I really enjoyed the community, access to the outdoors and unique experiences that Fairbanks offers.”

Amanda is involved both at UAF and within the community. Alongside her many educational and career achievements, Amanda also serves on the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Education and Workforce Development Committee. A full list of Amanda’s roles and accomplishments can be found at the end of this story.

Amanda’s passion is helping students become successful in a career that they are not only good at, but that they love. Her dedication as a leader inspires her unique teaching style. Amanda’s courses are hands-on, applicable learning experiences that help students engage in the content being presented to them. Her classes venture far from reading textbooks and memorizing information; they are experiences.

“It is the little moments that matter to me,” she said. “Giving students the space and courage to explore new careers, to take the next step, to try something they didn’t think they could.”

In 2019, Amanda was recruited by SOM to lead an emerging program. As the director of applied management, Amanda leads a program designed for individuals who are looking to advance a career to the management level in technical fields. The Bachelor of Applied Management program attracts students because its flexibility allows them the freedom to work full time and earn their degrees. The program is built to accommodate busy lives and to encourage students to pursue their passion.

(From L-R): Matthew Mercier, Maddy Case, and Brennan Palmer, all showing off their technical skills while enrolled in the BAM program. Photos courtesy of Matthew Mercier, Maddy Case, and Brennan Palmer.

With Amanda at the helm, the BAM program flourishes and has grown dramatically since 2019. It’s not only students who benefit from this program. Employers benefit by keeping their employees long term and watching them advance into management positions within the company.

Amanda’s dedication to student development goes beyond the classroom. In fall 2020, new students were faced with the difficult task of coming into a new school when student organizations couldn’t meet in person, student orientation was virtual and there was little to no personal interaction on campus. Amanda decided that nothing was going to stop her from welcoming new students to SOM, and she launched the SOM mentoring program. As of May 2021, the program officially completed its first full year of virtual mentorship. Amanda stepped up and made the already intimidating transition into college easier for new students and gave upper-level students the opportunity to connect and mentor those students.

Amanda is the faculty advisor for not one, but two SOM student organizations. She is the co-advisor for Students Offering Leadership Development and advisor for the Associated Students of Business. Both organizations focus on enhanced learning in an unconventional way.

SOLD offers leadership experiences such an Alternative Spring Break, which allows students to travel outside Alaska and aid in projects. One of the past projects was wildfire relief in California in March 2020.

ASB is an elite student organization that participates in the National Millennial and Gen-Z Community, where students from around the nation get to engage with corporate CEOs. When students spend time with corporate leaders, they get to speak out about the changing workforce and how millennials and gen-z are bringing a new set of skills and abilities to the workplace. These students learn firsthand what it’s like to be in upper management at a corporation, while making an impact for the current and upcoming generations heading into the workforce.

With Amanda’s involvement in these organizations, students have the chance to experience incredible opportunities outside of the classroom.

Amanda is known for her support of students, and she offers this advice:

“Reach out to us! Your faculty care about your success. Let us know what you are interested in and how we can help. I would love to have a conversation with you about both your college experience and future careers.”

FUN FACTS

I love the smell of …
Pine Sol — not kidding!

What is your hidden talent?
I enjoy being creative at home. Block printing, jewelry making, dying pillow cases, etc. I wouldn’t say it is a talent, but it is something I enjoy.

If you had the power to solve one and only one problem in the world, what would it be and why?
I wish everyone in the world had a paid year to explore their career options — meet with people, shadow, connect, without the pressure of jumping in right away.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND EDUCATION

Education and certifications:

• Ed., 2015, education and human resource studies, Colorado State University


• National Certified Counselor

Memberships:

• National Career Development Association


• Education and Workforce Development Committee, Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce

Achievements and career:

• Program director, applied management Program and instructor (professional development, management, business, and organizational development) March 2019-present


• Co-leader, SOM mentoring program


• Faculty advisor, Associated Students of Business and Students Offering Leadership Development