Cornerstone: Nov. 25, 2024

A man with salt-and-pepper-colored hair and a black-and-white checked shirt stands outdoors during the summer.

Stephen Phillips new DMVS director

Stephen Phillips joins the UAF staff as the Department of Military and Veteran Services director after a 26-year career as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer. Phillips begins work on Dec. 2, 2024. Learn more about Phillips.

Writing Center offers new thesis and dissertation services

The UAF Writing Center now offers a dedicated staff member to support graduate students working on their theses and dissertations. The center's new graduate writing support specialist, Victoria Oyewola, is available to work with graduate students at every stage of their writing process, from brainstorming to revising their theses and dissertations. Learn more on the new assistance available to assist graduate students complete their education goal.

A woman wearing an orange vest and earphones smiles while sitting in a small aircraft.

Earthquake scientist moving on after 30 years

One Sunday more than 20 years ago, Natalia Ruppert held her 1-year-old son a bit tighter in her arms. A friend's house had started shaking with an intensity she had never felt before. Learn more about Ruppert's career at UAF and her new role.

LEAP into Student Success

Join the Center for Teaching and Learning for its spring 2025 Learner Experience Advocacy Program. Instructors partner with trained undergraduate students and an instructional designer to share feedback on the learner experience, course policies (including the use of AI), inclusive design, and more. Read more and apply for LEAP.

Top 10 easy course adjustments that have a large impact

It is easy to miss a component of your course design that may add an unintentional barrier for students and affect their learning capacity. In this Teaching Tip, we share the top 10 reasons why students contact eCampus and advisors for help regarding barriers in course design. Learn more in this teaching tip.

Input needed for SRDD planning

Please take a few minutes to give the Staff Recognition and Development Day Task Force feedback to aid in their planning the April 3, 2025, event. Take the survey or sign up to volunteer!

Visits planned for UAF School of Education dean candidates

Two candidates for dean of the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Education (SOE) will have campus visits in early December. The candidates are Olga Skinner, an assistant professor at the UAF SOE; and Douglas Cost, an associate professor and chair of the Secondary Education Program in the SOE at the UAF. A third finalist invited to interview withdrew their application unexpectedly due to personal circumstances. Learn more about the candidates and their visits.

A brilliant sun shines over a hilly and snowy landscape with ski tracks shown across the foreground

Explore the physics of snow in statewide webinar

Learn about snow physics and how snowdrifts form -- and why it is possible to walk on a snowdrift -- in a statewide webinar hosted by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service. Read more and register for the free webinar scheduled for Dec. 4.

Staff Council Rural Affairs Committee seeks nominations

The Rural Affairs Committee is seeking nominations for our monthly Staff Recognition Spotlight. Consider nominating a rural campus coworker, team member, or staff member today! Read more and nominate a deserving rural employee.

About Cornerstone