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’s 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 UA President’s House.
Photo by Monique Musick
Students and faculty share conversation during the Arctic Leadership Initiative reception at the President’s 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, UAA MPP student (public policy)
Clover Strickling, UAA MPP student (public policy)
Fredric Lacsina, UAA BBM student (economics)
Malia Batchelder, UAA BS student (psychology) and BA (criminology)
Rebecca Van Wyck, UAA MS student (project management)
Adam Militello, UAF Ph.D. student (natural resources and sustainability)
Ágnes Lehr, UAF Ph.D. student (biological sciences)
Bax Bond, UAF MS student (electrical engineering)
Gabe Canfield, UAF MMP student (marine policy)
Jazzy Jones, UAF BA student (interdisciplinary studies)
Kelsey Nicholson, UAF Ph.D. student (natural resources and sustainability)
Lee Aeo, UAF BA student (interdisciplinary studies)
Maranda Peterson, UAF MS student (fisheries science)
Sean Holland, UAF Ph.D. student (interdisciplinary studies)
Almería Alcantra, UAS BA student (interdisciplinary studies)
Ella Kelly, UAS BS student (marine biology)
Kiana Potter, UAS BA student (interdisciplinary studies)

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

ECF fellows

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

Anna Costa (UAF 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’s North.

Emily Fedders (UAF Department of Geosciences / Geophysical Institute), who studies landfast sea ice dynamics along Alaska’s coastal regions. Her work directly supports subsistence forecasting, travel safety and community infrastructure planning.

Colin Maher (UAA 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 (UAS 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’s House.
Photo by Monique Musick
UA President Pat Pitney addresses guests at an evening reception during the Arctic Leadership Initiative fall program retreat.
ALI Arctic Engagement Awardees

We’re 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 (UAS) — 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 (UAF) — 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 (UAF) — 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 (UAA) — 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 (UAF) — 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’s Professors and faculty mentors

We also recognize ALI's continuing President’s Professors and faculty mentors: Jeff Libby (UAA), Larry Hinzman (UAF) and Erica Hill (UAS), 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’s growth.

Looking ahead: goals and activities

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

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

  • Arctic Leadership Lecture Series: 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 UA campus who have supported ALI planning and are helping to mentor this new class. ALI’s success depends on the generous time, expertise and relationships from across the UA system.

To all UA colleagues, we hope you’ll 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 UAF, 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 UAF following a day of sessions.