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About featured UAA employees
Allie Hartman
Allie Hartman is the student organization coordinator for Student Life and Leadership. Hartman works with student leaders to support their organizations and develop the campus community. She is also in her capstone semester of the masters in public administration graduate program.
As a former commuter campus student in Colorado, Hartman was drawn to the nontraditional aspect of UAA.
“I just have a deep appreciation for the commuting student experience,” she said. “While that’s an enormous challenge, I think it’s also super rewarding and I don’t think that we give enough credit to that experience being possibly even more impactful and important for preparing students for a career and life outside of school.”
Catering to this aspect of the university is one of her main goals as a staff member, Hartman said.
”There are often more things on [students’] plates that take priority over school, and that’s an important reality for us to understand as staff and faculty at the university and be able to honor that through the experiences and opportunities that we’re providing,” she said.
Outside of school and work, Hartman enjoys jogging on the trails around campus, playing with her dog, Arthur, and watching Formula 1 race car driving.
Emily Wood
Photos by Caleigh Jensen
Emily Wood is a senior majoring in natural sciences with a concentration in environmental science and a minor in geographic information systems. Wood chose her major because of her love for the outdoors.
“I like to be outside, and I just want to go work outside,” she said.
Wood is also the spring 2020 Club Council chair. She served as the chair once before during the 2017-18 school year.
“At the beginning of this year after all the turmoil over the summer, the council began with only one officer. Someone had to do it, so I figured it would be an easy transition for me, and I could help people out,” Wood said.
Wood enjoys being a part of Club Council because it gives her a look into the campus community.
“I really enjoy being in the know about what all of the clubs on campus are doing. It’s really fascinating getting to hear what everyone is working on and how everyone is creating their own opportunities here at UAA,” she said.
An ideal night for Wood includes hanging out with her dogs, cross-stitching and going to bed at 9 p.m. because she is a self-proclaimed “grandmother,” Wood said.
After she graduates this May, Wood hopes to either work for the National Parks Service researching wildlife or be a firefighter.
Cathy Sandeen
Cathy Sandeen, UAA chancellor, is originally from California. Before UAA, Sandeen spent 22 years at the University of California, two years at the American Council on Education in Washington DC and four years as a chancellor in Wisconsin.
She became UAA's chancellor in 2018 and was thrilled about the opportunity to live the Alaskan experience.
“I mean, who doesn’t want to move to Alaska?” she said.
Although she has encountered many obstacles during her time at the university, Sandeen is proud to represent UAA.
“The more I learned, the more I realized that this is a really good opportunity, and it has been. Even with all the challenges, it’s a wonderful university,” she said.
Sandeen said that education has changed her life. As a first-generation college graduate from a family of five, she understands how difficult getting an education can be, and encourages students to make the most of their time at UAA.
“Keep at it — it’s worth it,” Sandeen said.
In her free time, Sandeen enjoys practicing yoga, reading fiction novels and downhill skiing at Alyeska.
Jamie Bagley
Jamie Bagley, a senior biology major with a focus on pre-veterinary medicine, has been the president of USUAA, UAA’s student government, since the beginning of the 2020 spring semester. She has been involved with the organization for two years as a delegate for the College of Arts and Sciences.
Bagley enjoys being a part of USUAA because she has the opportunity to help spark change for students.
“Seeing the change that we are able to implement on the campus, as well as within the university system, is a great part of this organization. We have increased student worker pay, we were a huge part of [the Board of Regents] postponing the decision to increase tuition and we helped halt the consolidation of all the universities into one UA system,” Bagley said.
Bagley would like students to know that USUAA is here for them and always available to answer any questions they may have.
“We’re always here to listen to student’s concerns with open ears,” she said.
In her free time, which she says is quite limited these days, Bagley enjoys playing soccer and volleyball and reading. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career as a veterinarian.
Liam Floyd
Liam Floyd is the events coordinator for the Student Union. Floyd has worked as a SU student employee for two years at the Information Desk and as the building and Union Station Cafe managers. As the events coordinator, he transitioned to a full-time employee, while still juggling a full load of classes.
His experience working in the SU has been a positive one, he said.
“I really like working on campus. Without it, I would’ve just gone to class and gone home,” Floyd said. “I’ve learned a lot more about campus through the job, and I’ve grown a lot closer to the student population as well.”
Floyd is studying interdisciplinary studies with a focus in business and design. After a change of interest, he found himself in his current degree program.
“I started out in mechanical engineering and realized it wasn’t really what I wanted to do. I really enjoy graphic design — it’s where my passion lies,” Floyd said.
Floyd plans to graduate in the spring of 2021. After graduation, he plans on working as the events coordinator for another year, followed by an internship or two and possibly continuing his family’s businesses on Kenai Peninsula, Ammo-Can Coffee LLC, in the future.