Michele Stalder receives Bernice M. Joseph Education Advocate of the Year Award

December 10, 2020

University Relations

Michele Stalder, dean of UAF's Community and Technical College, was presented with the 2020 Bernice M. Joseph Education Advocate of the Year Award by the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce. This annual award recognizes a business or individual in the business community who has consistently shown a commitment to education through sustained partnership, outreach or career development opportunities that improve the educational experience of students and demonstrate partnership, innovation and creativity.

Stalder will soon celebrate 40 years with the university. In 1981 she was introduced to the community college mission of providing equal access to education. It was the recognition that not everyone had equal access to education that spurred her commitment to the institutions that could change that situation for everyday Alaskans.  

Her focus on building the university’s workforce development capacity has resulted in strong industry partnerships and support for students’ educational goals and industry needs. Her approach has been to see the need, understand the concepts required, then create curriculum to satisfy academic and industry standards. Having the vision for a program and getting the right people to develop it has been Stalder’s way of creating CTC programs that provide direct job opportunities for students.

Under the leadership of Bernice Joseph, former vice chancellor for rural, community and Native education, Michele Stalder and CTC’s focus was to deliver education, support industries, and create frameworks that support equal access to education and workforce development programs.