Mike Halko named director of UAA's Environmental Health and Safety/Risk Management Support

UAA safety officer Mike Halko has been promoted to director of UAA's Environmental Health and Safety/Risk Management Support (EHS/RMS). Mike will begin this new role on Oct. 1.

Mike, a registered Environmental Health Specialist, has over 29 years of experience as an environmental health and safety professional. In Alaska, he spent five years in the Army as an environmental science officer, and seven years as a safety officer with the Public Health Service/Indian Health Service at the Alaska Native Medical Center. He inspected cruise ships for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for two years before becoming the environmental health director for the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation in Dillingham, a position he held for four years. For the past three years, Mike has worked as a safety officer for UAA's EHS/RMS.

He served as co-chair of the Alaska Forum on the Environment and has built a network of professional contacts within the Alaska and national EHS community.

Mike holds a B.A. from Baldwin-Wallace College, an M.S. from Chapman University and a Secondary Science Teacher Certificate from Cleveland State University. He's also a graduate of the Indian Health Service Injury Prevention Fellowship Program.

"Mike is a seasoned environmental health professional, he holds relevant degrees and certifications, and he is an experienced manager and leader," said Chris Turletes, Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities and Campus Services. "He brings extensive knowledge and skills to the director position, and he is capable of managing the work needed to sustainably build, renew and maintain UAA's safe work and scholastic environment."