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Letter from the Dean
Welcome to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, School of Education!
I am honored to serve as the Dean of the UAF School of Education (SOE) and to work alongside an incredible community of educators, leaders, and advocates who are shaping the future of education in Alaska.
I am passionate about ensuring that every student—regardless of background or geography—has the opportunities and resources to reach their full potential. Education is not just about academics; it’s about humanity, access, and the ways we show up for one another. I believe deeply in the power of teaching, learning, and service as tools for transformation. I also recognize that lifelong learning is a privilege, and it is our responsibility to expand access to that privilege for all.
At SOE, we are committed to culturally responsive, place-based education that reflects and respects the communities of Alaska. We are actively working to address teacher shortages, elevate Indigenous knowledge, and strengthen educational pathways for future generations. This work is about more than education—it’s about legacy and ensuring we leave this world better than we found it.
Beyond my role as Dean, I find joy in coaching youth soccer and sharing the love of sport with my son, Wulfric. I believe in openness, connection, and building spaces where all people—whether I know them personally or not—have the opportunity to thrive.
I invite you to explore our programs, connect with our faculty, and join us in this shared commitment to education. Together, we can amplify voices, uplift communities, and create meaningful change.
Thank you for being part of the UAF School of Education. I look forward to the work we will do together.
In service and partnership,
Douglas Cost
Dean, School of Education
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Why UAF School of Education?
The School of Education (SOE) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks faculty and staff
strive to model, in their interactions with candidates at both the preservice and
graduate levels, the three critical characteristics that our candidates embody when
they leave the program: professional, culturally responsive, and effective. These
characteristics form the basis for our graduates’ continued professional development
and the formation of healthy and respectful relationships with their students, families
and communities in which they live and work.
In this spirit, the School of Education is committed to preparing and retaining the
best possible K-12 educators for this far north, geographically, culturally and linguistically
varied state. UAF’s School of Education offers undergraduate and graduate level programs to students
across the state through distance delivered instruction and the opportunity for educational
internships in Alaska’s various school districts. Face to face coursework is available
in both Fairbanks and Anchorage for our most popular teacher certification programs.
Our degrees, programs & departments
News & events
November 16, 2024
Have you wondered about teaching as part of your career? Are you currently getting a degree in another subject (Fisheries, Alaska Native Languages, History, Psychology, Mathematics, or anything else!)? Scholarships are available that cover tuition and fees and offer a stipend. If you have any questions about what preparing to teach looks like at UAF, join us in-person or online on Thursday, Nov. 21, 1-1:30 p.m. or 5:30-6 p.m. for information sessions covering degree options, schedules for working students, and funding opportunities.
School of Education and K-12 Outreach Halloween fun
October 28, 2024
Join the UAF School of Education and K-12 Outreach for a spooktacular Trick-or-Treat event on Oct. 31 from 1-3 p.m.! Get ready for an afternoon full of fun, where kids (and kids at heart!) can go door-to-door in a safe and friendly environment trick or treating, show off their costumes, and enjoy festive activities.
