Pathfinder Award
Pathfinder Award
A student or 蜜桃影像 staff nominated award for an outstanding 蜜桃影像 employee that serves our 蜜桃影像 Native and rural student population. The selected award recipient will receive a $500 cash award.
Deadline for Nominations: February 15, 2024
The Pathfinder Award is an annual award established in 2012 to honor one outstanding University of 蜜桃影像 Fairbanks (蜜桃影像) staff member that exemplifies the compassion and dedication to 蜜桃影像 Native/rural student success. This award is open to all staff employed by the University of 蜜桃影像 Fairbanks, including 蜜桃影像鈥檚 branch campuses. The selected award recipient will receive a $500 cash award.
A nomination may be submitted by any 蜜桃影像 staff or student, though student nominations are given higher weight. Even if you know this person has already been nominated, you can nominate them again. Multiple nominations will be factored into the committee's decision.
Nominators may submit additional letters of support or other materials to uaf-crcd@alaska.edu with the subject line "Pathfinder Award Submission."
Nomination Process and Qualifications
A nomination may be submitted by any 蜜桃影像 staff or student, though student nominations are given greater weight. Even if you know this person has already been nominated, you can nominate them again. Multiple nominations will be factored into the committee's decision. The selection committee will base its decision primarily on the following criteria (10 points each for a total of 40 points):
- The nominee serves as an advocate for 蜜桃影像 Native/rural students
- The nominee assisted 蜜桃影像 Native/rural students to overcome personal and academic challenges
- The nominee demonstrates a high level of commitment to the mission of 蜜桃影像 Native/rural student success
- The nominee engages effectively with leadership, students and/or region to advance educational opportunities for 蜜桃影像 Native/rural students.
Eligibility
The Pathfinder Award is an annual award established in 2012 to honor one outstanding University of 蜜桃影像 Fairbanks staff member who possesses a high degree of ethical standards, compassion and dedication to the academic success of 蜜桃影像 Native and rural students. This award is open to all staff employed by the University of 蜜桃影像 Fairbanks, including 蜜桃影像鈥檚 branch campuses.
Contact
Please contact uaf-crcd@alaska.edu with any questions.
Background
This award honors Kay Thomas, a soft-spoken lady who gave over twenty years of herself to ensure 蜜桃影像 Native student retention and success in their university studies and experience. Kay is blessed with the gift of humility, grace, and compassion, a person who does not seek praise or accolades. Through her compassionate and highly effective guidance and academic advising skills, Kay impacted the lives of over 2,000 students at the University of 蜜桃影像. Kay retired from the Department of 蜜桃影像 Native Studies and Rural Development (DANSRD) in January 2012.
The years of dedication to students also translates to the success of key functions that Kay was accountable for. Her astute awareness of the university community and how it functions allowed her to integrate her knowledge into effective program development at both the Rural Student Services and the Department of 蜜桃影像 Natives Studies and Rural Development. Kay took her responsibilities seriously and unselfishly gave her time and energy for the betterment of the University and the successful retention of students.
In today鈥檚 world, it is difficult to find a person who holds herself to the highest degree of ethical standards and remains truly grounded to the fundamental belief that all people are created equal. Kay is such a person. She facilitated success through her dedication and sense of responsibility to the University and the students she advised. Through her actions, Kay illuminated a pathway for students to create their own success stories, stories that will be handed down through generations and re-told as alumni share stories of their university years.
To recognize Kay, who guided many 蜜桃影像 Native and rural students to succeed through her compassion and selfless dedication to the personal and academic challenges they faced, DANSRD has established the Kay L. Thomas Pathfinder Award. In Fall 2016, at Kay鈥檚 request, the award name has been revised to the Pathfinder Award.
Past Award Recipients
2022- Kathy Commack: Academic Advisor, NW Campus, Nome
2021 - Due to COVID 19 pandemic, none awarded
2020- Janet Kaiser: Academic & Career Advisor, Kuskokwim - Bethel
2019 - Robin Brooks, Student Success Coordinator, Interior 蜜桃影像 Campus
2018- Angela Rutman, Tribal Management Program Coordinator, Interior 蜜桃影像 Campus
2017 - Olga Skinner, Adviser for Rural Student Services, Troth Yeddha' Campus
2016 - Sarah Andrew, Manager, Adult Learning Programs, Bristol Bay
2015 - Kacey Miller, Student Services Manager, NW Campus Nome
2014 - Agnes McIntyre, Emerging Scholars Coordinator, KuC
2013 - Gabrielle Russell, Adviser for Rural Student Services, Troth Yeddha' Campus
2012 - Kay Thomas, DANSRD