UAF admissions coordinator based in Anchorage

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: (907) 474-7902
11/22/05

The University of Alaska Fairbanks has expanded its recruiting efforts in Southcentral Alaska with a new Anchorage-based admissions outreach coordinator.

Alice Friend, who recently graduated from Ripon College with a degree in speech communication and Spanish, began serving the area earlier this month. She is based in the Anchorage offices of UAF Cooperative Extension Service.

Her hiring represents an effort to offer a more accessible array of services to potential students in Southcentral Alaska. The position is one the UAF admission’s office has considered for a long time, according to Nancy Dix, director of admissions for UAF. "Anchorage has a large high school population base and we want to make strong headway in that area."

UAF already attracts many students from the Southcentral region, she added. "We are just trying to strengthen our ties there."

The Anchorage-based admissions coordinator is part of a statewide effort by UAF to increase its presence in multiple communities and offer students quick access to information about the admissions process. The effort, dubbed the Gateway Initiative, teams the admissions office with UAF Cooperative Extension Services’ 14 offices throughout the state. It has provided basic admissions training to staff members at several of those offices.

"Our goal is to work more closely with the Cooperative Extension Service for the overall recruitment of students," Dix said.

In her new position, Friend will provide all of the services an admissions outreach coordinator would in Fairbanks, including assistance with applications and basic information about financial aid, Dix said. She will also travel to high schools throughout the Southcentral Alaska region to offer information about UAF.

Friend said she is looking forward to forming close relationships with schools and students in the area.

"This new proximity will allow me to devote extensive time to one-on-one interaction with students and their career resource advisors," Friend said. "I hope to provide more resources for students as they decide what options they have after high school."

In the past, Dix said, a coordinator in Fairbanks provided admission services to the region. Friend’s presence in Anchorage will allow a more hands-on and consistent approach to admissions services.

"I think she will have a strong impact and will give students the personal attention they desire," she said.

Friend’s office in Anchorage is at 2221 East Northern Lights Boulevard, behind the medical center. Her office will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

CONTACT: UAF public information officer Marmian Grimes at (907) 474-7902 or via e-mail at marmian.grimes@uaf.edu. UAF director of admissions Nancy Dix at (907) 474-5809 or via e-mail at fnndd@uaf.edu. Alice Friend, UAF admissions outreach coordinator, at (907) 786-6325 or via e-mail at a.friend@uaf.edu.