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Aug. 26, 2025
Welcome to Week 1, the exciting first week of your journey!
You’re taking an amazing step toward a brighter future. I am so proud of you. You’re
on the right path, and while it might be short or easy, know that you have plenty
of support along the way, including me.
Welcome to Nanook Nation. I’m your vice chancellor of student affairs and enrollment
management, and I am excited to be here for you. Our Chancellor, Mike Sfraga, is the
highest official, kind of like a CEO, and he has an amazing that works closely with him to support all the important areas of the university.
One of those team members is dedicated to ensuring your student experience is fantastic—yep,
that’s me! I am here to help you with your overall well-being, from dining and housing
to health and counseling. Plus, I’m here to guide you through things like enrollment,
financial aid, and getting ready for graduation. Our Student Affairs team is made
up of incredible people who truly care about your success and happiness. We want you
to thrive, feel safe, and enjoy your time here.
Here are three friendly tips to get you started:
Make a plan:
What is your game plan for this week? And the weeks to come? Think of yourself as
a professional athlete- this is your training session for the next 16 weeks. You will
need to put in the time. Schedule. Your. Time. Plan for attending class, and plan
for investing what it takes outside of class. Give yourself a little extra time to
be on the safe side. Prioritize your success and achievement, and remember to pace
yourself. You have got this!
Download the Navigate Student app:
Stay connected with your advisors, professors, and classmates. The Nanook Navigator
app (, ) is like having a personal mobile advisor to help you along your journey from orientation
to graduation! You can access resources, get support, and keep track of important
events and deadlines. Plus, you can create your own to-do lists and set reminders
to stay organized! View the student quick guide here for access and instructions. If you don’t have a mobile device, don’t worry, you can still access these features
through the .
Connect to ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ student events:
Get in on all the fun and exciting events by connecting to the platform. To connect via your mobile device, download the CampusGroups app (, ) and log in with your UA login credentials to stay updated and involved.
Finally:
This first week is going to go by in a flash, so remember to take a breather. Focus
on the basics and take care of yourself. Get outside. Eat well. Explore your new surroundings
and find cozy spots where you feel comfortable. Take some time to meet new people
and cultivate friendships. Building your community is so important!
There is so much to learn, and if you ever feel like you need a hand, just reach out.
By now, you should have met your advisor, who is here to guide you and help you find all the resources you need. Trust me,
there are so many people eager to support you on your journey; we’ve been counting
down the days for your return!
No matter if you are taking one credit or 20, if you're in Fairbanks or far away across
the planet, or what course or degree you are working on here at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ – Welcome! It
is going to be a great semester!
Lastly, if you have suggestions for what we could have done better so far, please
don’t hesitate to share them with me. I’m your vice chancellor, and I’m at obguthrie@alaska.edu.
— Owen Guthrie, vice chancellor for student affairs and enrollment management
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