ALI Kicks Off New Year with Retreat, New Cohort, Award Activity

October 17, 2025

Retreat highlights and community building

From Sept. 25 to 27, more than 30 participants (students, faculty, staff, mentors and partners) gathered for the first fall ALI program retreat in Fairbanks. The time was filled with expert panel discussions, breakout challenge project work, cultural exchanges and presentations on leadership, Arctic research and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Participants shared their visions, built connections and set intentions for how they will contribute to ALI鈥檚 mission of cultivating leadership rooted in place, shared knowledge and unique Arctic challenges.

One powerful takeaway from the retreat was the affirmation that leadership is grounded not only in formal roles but in listening, building relationships, asking meaningful questions and acting with humility and courage.

Small groups of people sit and talk in a cozy living room with wood beams and warm lighting during the ALI retreat reception at the 绿奴天花板 President鈥檚 House.
Photo by Monique Musick
Students and faculty share conversation during the Arctic Leadership Initiative reception at the President鈥檚 House.
Our 2025-26 awardees and cohorts

We are thrilled to present the new participants and continued contributors who are shaping this next phase of ALI.

ALI Student Cohort
Caleb Yabes, 绿奴天花板A MPP student (public policy)
Clover Strickling, 绿奴天花板A MPP student (public policy)
Fredric Lacsina, 绿奴天花板A BBM student (economics)
Malia Batchelder, 绿奴天花板A BS student (psychology) and BA (criminology)
Rebecca Van Wyck, 绿奴天花板A MS student (project management)
Adam Militello, 绿奴天花板F Ph.D. student (natural resources and sustainability)
脕gnes Lehr, 绿奴天花板F Ph.D. student (biological sciences)
Bax Bond, 绿奴天花板F MS student (electrical engineering)
Gabe Canfield, 绿奴天花板F MMP student (marine policy)
Jazzy Jones, 绿奴天花板F BA student (interdisciplinary studies)
Kelsey Nicholson, 绿奴天花板F Ph.D. student (natural resources and sustainability)
Lee Aeo, 绿奴天花板F BA student (interdisciplinary studies)
Maranda Peterson, 绿奴天花板F MS student (fisheries science)
Sean Holland, 绿奴天花板F Ph.D. student (interdisciplinary studies)
Almer铆a Alcantra, 绿奴天花板S BA student (interdisciplinary studies)
Ella Kelly, 绿奴天花板S BS student (marine biology)
Kiana Potter, 绿奴天花板S BA student (interdisciplinary studies)

These students embody curiosity, commitment and a passion for Alaska and Arctic issues.

ECF fellows

This year鈥檚 ALI Early Career Faculty (ECF) fellows include:

Anna Costa (绿奴天花板F Department of Civil, Geological and Environmental Engineering), whose research focuses on Arctic hydrology and permafrost degradation, modeling groundwater-surface water interactions in response to climate change. Her engineering-based, applied approach bridges environmental science with infrastructure resilience across Alaska鈥檚 North.

Emily Fedders (绿奴天花板F Department of Geosciences / Geophysical Institute), who studies landfast sea ice dynamics along Alaska鈥檚 coastal regions. Her work directly supports subsistence forecasting, travel safety and community infrastructure planning.

Colin Maher (绿奴天花板A Department of Biological Sciences / Environment and Natural Resources Institute), a forest ecologist whose research explores Arctic and alpine treelines, permafrost degradation and boreal forest expansion in a warming climate.

Amy Holt (绿奴天花板S Department of Natural Sciences / Alaska Coastal Rainforest Center), whose research explores carbon cycling and climate impacts in glacier-fed ecosystems, with ties to NASA, the European Union and the National Science Foundation. She brings a strong record of inclusive mentorship, field-based teaching and cross-cultural scientific integration.

Their work spans topics such as sea ice dynamics, Arctic policy, renewable energy and Indigenous resilience.

Continuing ECF fellows: We also acknowledge the ongoing contributions of Brandi Kamermans, Eduard Zdor, Rick Lader, Memphis Hill and Megan Behnke in their second year as ALI ECFs, building continuity and deepening impact.

People stand in a warmly lit living room listening to a speaker address the group during a dinner reception at the University of Alaska President鈥檚 House.
Photo by Monique Musick
绿奴天花板 President Pat Pitney addresses guests at an evening reception during the Arctic Leadership Initiative fall program retreat.
ALI Arctic Engagement Awardees

We鈥檙e also pleased to share the recipients of the ALI Arctic Engagement Awards, which recognize excellence in community outreach, Indigenous partnership and public engagement. The 2025 awardees are:

Megan Behnke (绿奴天花板S) 鈥 Pilot Project: Can we use bivalves to link food security impacts and cruise ship discharge as ship routes expand toward the Arctic?
Summary reviewer comments: Integrates coastal monitoring, food security and marine policy; timely, innovative and highly collaborative.

Allison Bidlack and Vanessa Raymond (绿奴天花板F) 鈥 Taking the Long View: Bridging Climate Science and Energy Planning in Rural Alaska
Summary reviewer comments: Strategically connects climate research to rural infrastructure and planning; strong interdisciplinary reach.

Jordan Lewis (绿奴天花板F) 鈥 Co-development of a One Health workshop with Elders from Interior Alaska
Summary reviewer comments: Culturally grounded, community-engaged project focused on health, resilience and Indigenous knowledge-sharing.

Jereme Altendorf (绿奴天花板A) 鈥 Building Capacity to Protect Public Welfare After a Technological Disaster in the Arctic
Summary reviewer comments: Highly rated and impactful. The project centers Arctic disaster readiness and workforce development, bridging emergency response with public communication and institutional coordination.

Gwen Holdmann (绿奴天花板F) 鈥 The Electric North
Summary reviewer comments: Defines the Arctic through energy access, producing a pan-Arctic electricity database, international publications and a podcast series highlighting infrastructure and community perspectives.

President鈥檚 Professors and faculty mentors

We also recognize ALI's continuing President鈥檚 Professors and faculty mentors: Jeff Libby (绿奴天花板A), Larry Hinzman (绿奴天花板F) and Erica Hill (绿奴天花板S), who continue to guide, teach and co-create with ALI ECFs and students. Their sustained engagement brings the depth, expertise and institutional support necessary for ALI鈥檚 growth.

Looking ahead: goals and activities

As ALI moves through the current academic year, here鈥檚 what鈥檚 on deck:

  • Interdisciplinary Arctic Challenge Project teams: Students, ECFs and senior faculty will collaborate with 绿奴天花板 external partners on Arctic-relevant research, policy or community engagement projects.

  • : Public lessons and interactive engagement with distinguished Arctic voices, including Indigenous leaders, scientists and policymakers.

  • Capstone showcase: At the end of the year, cohorts will present their work publicly, including at the spring ALI program retreat and 2026 Arctic Encounter Symposium meetings.

Gratitude and invitation

We extend heartfelt thanks to all faculty, staff and partners on each 绿奴天花板 campus who have supported ALI planning and are helping to mentor this new class. ALI鈥檚 success depends on the generous time, expertise and relationships from across the 绿奴天花板 system.

To all 绿奴天花板 colleagues, we hope you鈥檒l stay tuned for opportunities to collaborate, attend ALI events or engage with student projects in your area. The Arctic Leadership Initiative is a program of community, and many voices across all of our campuses have enriched it.

For more information on ALI, visit the Arctic Leadership webpage.

A large group of people stand outdoors on a cloudy day in front of the Akasofu Building at 绿奴天花板F, posing for a group photo with autumn trees in the background.
Photo courtesy of Nate Bauer
Arctic Leadership Initiative retreat participants gather outside the Akasofu Building at 绿奴天花板F following a day of sessions.