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Kuskokwim Campus

PO Box 368

201 Akiak Dr

Bethel, AK 99559

Phone: 1-800-478-5822

907-543-4500

Fax: 907-543-4527

College of Rural and Community Development

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Text Box: took in so much information and so many sights in two weeks.” This year’s trip will be led by Reyne Athanas, coordinator of KuC’s HUD grant and Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center. She will be assisted by English professor Ben Kuntz. Interest in the class has been high, but students who want to go could still possibly claim a spot by contacting Reyne at 543-4538 or Ben at 543-4581. The HUM 101 group will depart soon after finals week to a series of destinations in Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. In the meantime, students can start practicing their Spanish and narrowing down their travel gear so it will fit into the one small backpack each is allowed to bring. “You have to carry everything you bring all the time,” warns Alexie. “Pack light!”

Text Box: This spring a group of KuC students, professors, and staff will travel to the tropical Yucatán peninsula as part of the class HUM 101, The Humanities: A Cultural Perspective. Their trip will take them to Mayan ruins and pyramids, Caribbean beaches, rain forests teeming with life, and thriving Mayan villages. HUM 101 uses the study of Yup’ik culture as a point of entry for in-depth examinations of other cultures and places around the world. Developed at KuC by Professor Joli Morgan, past versions of the course have ventured to Hawaii, Italy, France, Norway, Switzerland, Greece, Italy, Ireland, England, Thailand, Japan, and other destinations. Mandy Alexie , a Yup’ik Language and Culture major at KuC, took the travel class in 2004 when the group toured Europe. “It was my first time traveling outside the country,” says Alexie. “We

Your Success is Our Success

Text Box: trainers” certificate for ASIST, a Suicide Intervention Model. Over the past several years, Diane has also volunteered her time to supervise 7 social workers toward their license in clinical social work. Diane currently is working toward her PhD in Educational Studies, specifically in Adult Learning and Indigenous Groups. In her spare time you can find Diane tromping in the tundra with her 2 beloved dogs, quilting, or protesting alongside the road to promote social justice. KuC is privileged to have such an enthusiastic and passionate member on our team. We congratulate her on her accomplishments and would like to recognize her as an outstanding professional in the social work field.

Text Box: The National Association of Social Workers, Alaska Chapter, is honoring one of KuC’s own; Diane McEachern, LCSW, for her dedication to the social work profession with the 2009 Social Worker of the Year Award. Diane has worked in the field for over 20 years serving hundreds of individuals in a variety of settings and locations. Diane moved to Alaska 12 years ago working for the Lower Kuskokwim School District as an itinerant school social worker and then as the lead social worker. During that time she initiated the formation of a Kwethluk multi-disciplinary team which continues to this day to help prevent and intervene in important social issues within the YK Delta. It has been a model for several other similar teams around the state. Currently, Diane is employed by the UAF-Kuskokwim Campus as Assistant Professor of the RHS/ HUMS Program and the Coordinator of the RHS/ HUMS Statewide Cohort Programs which serves over 40 students around the state. Along with her active teaching and facilitating roles, she serves as a UAF Faculty Senator, the Social Science Division Chair and is the president of the Bethel AIDS Taskforce. Recently she received a “train the

Text Box: Please direct comments and contributions to the following: Phone: 907-543-4500 Fax: 907-543-4527 Email: alwald@alaska.edu Mailing: PO Box 368, Bethel, AK 99559

Text Box: The first KuC Activities and Information Fair was held on September 17, 2009, to provide students will volunteer, social and job opportunities. Eleven local agencies and organizations participated in the event to make it a great success. Many of the booths handed out informational material to the students, discussed exciting options and demonstrated activities that

Text Box: exist in the Bethel community. While munching on pizza and ice-cream, students were able to see the local karate group in action and Chester Mark’s dance group demonstrate fancy salsa moves. It was a fun evening with good snacks, great door prizes and fabulous energy from both the local community members who participated and the students who attended.