Faculty in the humanities are accomplished scholars and engaged teachers who are recognized nationally and internationally for their work. Dr. Stephanie Bauer, Philosophy Professor and Director of the Ethics Center and Dr. Ian Hartman, History Professor and Associate Dean, were recently selected to participate in a leadership program for academics in the humanities. The program is sponsored by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education and funded by the Mellon Foundation, which “seeks to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive.” We are excited to have two CAS faculty members chosen to participate.

In this issue, we highlight the work of best selling author and English professor Dr. Sharon Emmerich. Her novel, Shield Maiden, is a reimagining of Beawolf and reached #9 on the Sunday Times bestseller list in England. We also highlight professor emerita of English and CAS donor, Becky Patterson Bunde. Even in retirement, Dr. Bunde continues to support students through her philanthropy and compassion. 

In our student spotlight, Caleb Youn, a junior pursuing his Bachelor of Arts in Languages with an emphasis in German and minors in both History and International Studies, shares his experience at UAA. This issue also describes our successful partnership with South Anchorage High School which provides dual enrollment classes to students in the Civic Leadership Pathway program. Prompted in part by the success of the CLP, we developed an interdisciplinary program in Civics Leadership that prepares students, through exposure to a variety of disciplines in CAS, to assume leadership roles in our community. The degree will also make use of the Alaska Leaders Archive and the Ted Stevens Papers.