Friday Focus: A lifetime relationship with UAF
April 12, 2019
— by Julie Queen, interim vice chancellor for administrative services
I was born and raised in the Fairbanks area, and UAF played a role throughout my young life in ways I didn’t realize were as meaningful as I see them to be now — science fairs, volleyball camps, the Alaska High School Science Symposium, taking dual credit Chemistry 103 (including a hot air balloon ride on the condition I asked science-related questions), and proudly receiving a UA Scholar award in the program’s inaugural year. Even though I pursued my undergraduate education Outside, I attended Summer Sessions to expedite my undergraduate work. Later I got a master’s degree in business administration through the UAF School of Management and joined the Alumni Association.
Now that I have made Alaska my home and started a family, it is clear to me this lifetime relationship with UAF helped shape who I am today. I’m thankful to professors Doug Schamel, Kelly Drew, Kent Schwaegerle, Laura Milner, Craig Wisen and many others who helped influence my perspective on all UAF offers. I am proud to be part of a UAF leadership team where I can give back to this community. It is my hope and my duty to help ensure that the next generations of students and leaders will be able to experience the same fantastic educational opportunities I had.
I began working at UAF in 2004 and moved into progressively more responsible positions focused primarily in financial management. Last month, when Chancellor White asked me to serve as the interim vice chancellor for administrative services, I accepted the post determined to listen intently, learn and ask questions. This is an opportunity to engage with different parts of the organization and contribute to UAF in new and exciting ways.
I am grateful that Administrative Services is such a group of constant professionals willing to roll up their sleeves to support the university’s academic, research and service areas. In my new capacity, I will work to better understand who we are and what we do to connect to the vision and mission at UAF. Every purchase order allows a faculty member or PI to move forward with a grant or contracted project. Every journal voucher aligns resources with the tasks at hand. Each classroom updated, broken item fixed, permit granted, wireless port enabled, process mapped, student payment plan initiated — and sometimes life saved — demonstrates how the Administrative Services team makes our campus a safe, modern and welcoming place.
Wearing multiple hats has become the norm in some UAF areas over the last several years. I would like to thank the many employees who are serving in new ways, thinking critically and creatively, and for your dedication to UAF as we create a path forward together.