UAA names first rural student transition specialist

The Division of Enrollment Services is pleased to announce that Patience Merculief has been named UAA's first rural student transition specialist. This exciting new position within Enrollment Services is generously funded by The Eyak Corporation from Cordova. Patience will employ a cohort/case management approach to helping students from rural Alaska navigate the admissions and enrollment process, transition from home to UAA and monitor their first-year progress to ensure personal and academic success.

The vision for this position was first introduced to UAA five years ago as the Triple O program through the leadership of Native Student Services Director Willy Templeton. With a generous gift from The Eyak Corporation, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Bruce Schultz expanded the model to include the first-year experience and introduced the holistic student-centered service approach.

Patience is a graduate of Mt. Edgecombe High School and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). At UAF she was a double major in international business and Japanese studies and spent a year as an exchange student in Japan. She was a leader and mentor in the Rural Alaska Honors Institute, NANA House and Rural Student Services. Patience has remained active in her home community, serving the Alaska Native Leadership Network, Bering Sea Fisherman's Association and Aleut Community of St. Paul.

Patience begins work in Enrollment Services on Monday, July 2.