Students from nine UArctic member institutions in Canada, Finland, Norway, and the USA took part in a workshop entitled:
“The Role of Institutions of Higher Education in Addressing Community Change and Challenges in the North”.
Prior to the start of the workshop, participating students surveyed local leaders about how universities could best serve their communities.
Organized by four graduate students in the Resilience and Adaptation Program at UAF, the workshop began with results of the survey being presented and examined by the students, followed by thorough analysis and insightful discussions guided by the following workshop panellists:
James Basinger Rector, University of Saskatchewan
Rich Boone Associate Professor of Ecosystem Ecology, UAF
F. Stuart Chapin III Professor, UAF
Luke Hopkins Mayor, Fairbanks
Bernice Joseph Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community and Native Education, UAF
Elena Sparrow IARC Education Outreach Director / Research Professor, UAF
Sarah Trainor Assistant Professor / SNAP Stakeholder Liaison, UAF
Following a panel discussion on how universities could help communities deal with the challenges they face, the students then join the UArctic Rectors Forum plenary sessions, and present their workshop recommendations to the rectors.
University presidents, chancellors and other leaders attending the UArctic Rectors Forum welcome the graduate student recommendations, and are appreciative of their role and creative input, and are receptive to the idea to see continued student involvement in future UArctic Rectors Forums.
Workshop student participants:
From Canada
Chandelle King, Yukon College
Tracey N. Loewen, University of Manitoba
From Finland
Mika Flojt, University of Lapland
Johanna Heffernan, Kemi-Tornio University of Applied Sciences
Janne Pietila, Rovaniemi University of Applied Sciences
From Norway
Eeva-Maarit Aikio, Sami University College
From USA
Rachel Boschma-Wynn, University of Alaska Anchorage
Allison Butler, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Matthew Druckenmiller, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Cindy Fabbri, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Tracey Rogers, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Alan Sorum, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Becky Warren, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Eleanor Wirts, University of Alaska Fairbanks