Andre B. Rosay

Andre B. Rosay is a Professor of Justice and the Interim Dean for the College of Health at the University of Alaska Anchorage.  His research focuses on gender-based violence, in particular violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women and men.  He has tremendous experience working with practitioners and tribal communities to conduct community-based participatory research that influences policy and practice. He was a Visiting Executive Research Fellow in the Office of Research and Evaluation at the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). Under this fellowship, Dr. Rosay worked on NIJ’s program of research on violence against Indian women living in tribal communities.  Dr. Rosay’s most recent publication focuses on anti-racist and intersectional approaches in social science and community-based research.

Deanne Woodard

Deanne Woodard, Associate Vice Provost for Targeted Programs & Populations, provides leadership and direction for the UAA Learning Commons, the UAA Testing Center, TRIO Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, and Student Support Services, Military & Veterans Academic Success Centers, as well as support for dual enrollment across campus. She has over 20 years of experience in higher education in both student affairs and academic affairs. Deanne is a native Floridian, but is excited to call Alaska home. She earned her B.A. in English from Dillard University in LA and her M.A. in English from St. Louis University in MO, and is currently pursuing her doctorate.

Melissa Chlupach

Melissa Chlupach is an Assistant Professor in Dietetics and Nutrition at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She teaches courses, such as Survey of Alaska Native Nutrition and Food and Nutrition Modern Alaska. She focuses on the importance of cultural humility and competence to provide better patient centered care. Her most rewarding project is the Alaska traditional foods initiative and movement, in which she worked with many organizations, such as the USDA, to implement traditional food donation programs. Melissa’s goal is to bring people together to share best practices so we can learn from each other, promoting health and wellness throughout our communities.

Vincent Feuilles

Vincent Feuilles has been a student with UAA since May 2017, completing his AAS in Human Services in 2019, earning his chemical dependency technician certification in 2019, and is completing his bachelor's in Human Services this May. Vincent is a local small business owner and the president and founder of an organization called the Queen's Guard. Through the Queen's Guard he is able to practice non-violent direct action in support of his community. Vincent is also a transgender man who provides educational presentations for schools, organizations, and helping those who are transgender/gender non-conforming seeking legal name changes. 

Meredith C. McIntire

Meredith C. McIntire is the North Hall & First-Year Residential Experience Coordinator at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Meredith was born and raised in southern Maine and came to Alaska and UAA in 2011. Meredith holds a bachelor degree in Child Development and Family Relations, as well as a masters degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Maine. Meredith is passionate about working with first-year students, social justice issues, community building and helping students achieve academic success.

Shawnalee Whitney

Shawnalee Whitney (she/her) serves UAA as Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Development and Instructional Support and Associate Professor of Communication. Her background combines professional experience in academic affairs, student affairs, and co-curricular programs such as UAA’s speech and debate program, Delta Alpha Phi Honorary, the UAA Chinese Association, and the Alaska Native Oratory Society. Whitney has taught at six different public and private institutions across four states (Colorado, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Alaska). In her 27 years at UAA, Whitney has developed a reputation as a caring teacher, a faculty development professional, and a strong student support advocate.

Amana Mbise

Amana Mbise is an Assistant Professor of social work in the School of Social Work, College of Health, at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He has vast experiences in global health (HIV/AIDs and Malaria), refugee integration, and community development in Tanzania, Denmark, and the U.S.A. His scholarship centers on migration, human trafficking, and rights-based approaches to social work. Amana’s on-going and most recent works include an NIJ study on labor exploitation in Alaska and a Department of State funded grant to estimate the prevalence of human trafficking for domestic servitude in Tanzania. Currently, Amana is working with the Alaska Black Caucus to conduct the first health needs assessment for Black-Identifying Alaskans.

Katie Lester

Katie Lester is a Junior in the Bachelor’s of Social Work (BSW) undergraduate program at UAA. She loves to read and hear about many different stories. Spending time with family, friends, traveling with her guide dog are a few of the things she enjoys. Advocating for herself and others has become a real interest of hers as she learns to navigate life in new ways. Katie is learning Braille and many other tools that help her follow her dreams as independently as she chooses. One of Katie's goals is to help individuals and their families struggling with vision loss to the best of her abilities. Knowing that someone cares and is willing to help as much as they are able to can make a difference with steady encouragement.