Our Team
Our Team
The College of Indigenous Studies is here to serve our students. Our team knows the
needs of Alaska’s rural and Native communities and are ready to assist you in meeting
your goals.
There are College of Indigenous Studies employees spread across the state ready to
work with you, no matter where you are.
Rural, Community and Native Education
Charlene Stern, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor
Rural, Community and Native Education
302 Signers' Hall
The office of the vice chancellor for rural, community and Native education oversees
the UAF Community and Technical College, the College of Indigenous Studies, and five
rural community campuses across the state of Alaska.
For more information about the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community
and Native Education, visit the RCNE website.
Jessica C. Black, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Chancellor
Rural, Community and Native Education
425 Brooks Building
Izzy Martinez
Executive Assistant to the Vice Chancellor / Operations Officer
Rural, Community and Native Education
305 Signers' Hall
Jamie Ferns
Events Coordinator
Rural, Community & Native Education
210B CTC, 604 Barnette Street
College of Indigenous Studies
Beryl Castillo
Human Resources Manager
Community & Technical College | College of Indigenous Studies
Scott Culbertson
Course and Enrollment Director
Carissa Hauck
Proposal Development Officer
Community & Technical College | College of Indigenous Studies
Chukchi Campus Staff
Minnie Naylor is originally from Kotzebue and has family from Noatak and Shishmaref. Minnie graduated from UAF in 2008 with a BA in Rural Development with an emphasis in Community Organizations and Services. In 2022, she earned her MA in Rural Development from the Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development.
Chukchi Campus Faculty
KuC Staff
Marybeth Whalen
Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center Manager
mrwhalen@alaska.edu | 907-543-4538Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center
KuC Faculty
Kelechuckwu "KC" Alu
Associate Professor of Developmental Math
kalu@alaska.edu | 907-543-4525Room 116
Diane McEachern
Associate Professor of HUMS/RHS and Coordinator of KuC Behavior Health
dmmceachern@alaska.edu | 907-543-4597Room 117
Sally Samson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Yup’ik Language and Culture
spsamson@alaska.edu | 907-543-4530Room 115
Lisa Strecker
Assistant Professor of Anthropology/Ethnobotany
lstrecker@alaska.edu | 907-699-6414Healy
Jacqueline Tagaban
Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education
jctagaban@alaska.edu | 907-543-4555Room 113/Juneau
NWC Staff
Vacant
Director
Gwendalyn Manniq Trigg-Stettenbenz
Admissions and Records Coordinator
gltriggkomakhuk@alaska.edu | 907-443-8403NWC Faculty
Ryan Ford
Construction Trades Technology Program
jford23@alaska.edu | 907-223-1287Construction Trades Technology program
Jackie Hrabok
Cooperative Extension and High Latitude Range Management
jhrabok@alaska.edu | 907-434-2906Cooperative Extension Program