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Ellen Lopez

Dean

Gruening 404B

"People have a lot to say about lives they've never lived." -Unknown 

Isabel Castro

CLA Office Coordinator

Gruening 404

I am the first point of contact for everyone connecting with the Dean's Office, either in person or digitally. As a first-gen graduate from UAF, I bring a unique perspective to my role, rooted in my background of empathy, administration, and equity work.

But most importantly, I'm here to assist you! Whether you're a staff member, faculty, or student who needs to speak with the CLA Dean or has any other questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to make your experience at UAF as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible.

Carrie Baker

Associate Dean & Professor of Theatre & Film

FAC 215

As Associate Dean, I collaborate with Dean Lopez on everything CLA and work to support our faculty, staff, and students! Although I am focused on all our departments, I provide expertise
regarding the Fine Arts Complex at UAF, having been a Theatre & Film faculty member for 18 years.

If you need to schedule an appointment with me, please email me at ccbaker@alaska.edu. My Google calendar is a great place to check my availability.

“Time is the nurse and breeder of all good” -William Shakespeare

Diosmary "Dee" Cardentey

Executive Officer

Gruening 404E

As Executive Officer, I provide operational oversight to the administrative staff and manage the administrative process and procedures of the college. I also manage all faculty services processes for the college to include faculty recruitments, annual contracts, workloads, sabbatical leave, annual activity reports, etc. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions related to the administration of CLA,  faculty services or human resources-related questions.

Heather Foltz

Fiscal Officer

Remote

I specialize in unit-level budget development and management and oversight of all financial transactions and processes at both the departmental and unit level.

I can help you with all overarching financial and procurement matters. I create and manage the authorized budget amounts for all departments within CLA, execute and investigate all transactions to ensure that they are compliant with ��ķ��Ƶ policies and procedures, monitor incoming revenue, and prepare the required unit level management reports during the fiscal year. I provide one-on-one training for CLA employees in the areas of general departmental budget management, Banner procurement entry, accessing UA Foundation funds, and using and reconciling procurement cards. I can also assist with budget development and general assistance for small or internal proposals, although we do coordinate with the Office of Proposal Development for larger, external proposals, and I do serve as the CLA financial data liaison for the Academic Program Review Process.

“It is difficult to understand the universe if you only study one planet” - Miyamoto Musashi

Jacob Firis

Fiscal Tech

GRUE 407

Ellen Cruse

Lead HR Coordinator

Gruening 404A

I specialize in all the human resources functions within CLA.

Do you have a question about your pay or leave? Does your department need to hire a student assistant or graduate assistant? Then I'm your first stop!

"Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does." -William James

Miriam Stelges

HR & Faculty Services Coordinator

Gruening 404C

I specialize in managing various aspects of the employee lifecycle within our College. Our CLA HR Team will be starting to work with you even before your first day here at CLA. 

Sarah Manriquez

Public Information Officer

Remote

My expertise is in digital marketing and social media management. I am a jill of all trades and bring photography, videography, and graphic design to my position as the CLA PIO.

If you belong to the CLA family as a student, faculty, staff, alumni, or otherwise and have an event, fundraiser, accolade, or story you want to share with the public- I'm your first stop!

I oversee the ��ķ��Ƶ College of Liberal Arts social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and CLA's Digital Sign. I am also the contact person for Cornerstone submissions in CLA.

Do you need updated photos for your website? Do you need graphics for your social media campaign for that upcoming event you're working on? Do you want to make a video about how awesome your class is? I can help with that and so much more.

Let's schedule a meeting and make a plan!

"We define ourselves far too often by our past failures. That's not you. You are this person right now. You're the person who has learned from those failures. Build confidence and momentum with each good decision you make from here on out and choose to be inspired." -Joe Rogan

Kathryn "Kat" Reichert

Web Developer & Multimedia Designer

Remote

Kat is a communication specialist with a focus on web development and multimedia design. She will be working directly with our CLA Public Information Officer, Sarah Manriquez. She will serve as the visual creative lead behind the design and construction of our websites and multimedia materials; bringing the UAF Brand to life through the lens of our unique departments.

Alison Bowen

Staff Writer

Remote

Alison is a writing specialist with a focus on profiles and narrative storytelling. She works directly with our CLA PIO team. She serves as a staff writer elevating the University's presence through storytelling, ideation, and strategy to ensure that UAF is known for all the compelling things it encompasses.

Alison worked in daily newsrooms for two decades before becoming a freelance writer and editor. When Alison isn't brainstorming, interviewing, or writing, she's wrangling two toddlers or reading a meaty fiction book (recommendations are always welcome).

Daniel Darrow

CLA Lead Undergraduate Comprehensive Academic Advisor

Gruening Building, Room 503G

Grace Carroll

CLA Undergraduate Comprehensive Academic Advisor

Gruening Building, Room 503F

Schedule your advising appointment with Grace if you are an undergraduate student in one of the following departments/programs: Anthropology, Arctic and Northern Studies, Art, Communication, Film & Theatre, Journalism and Psychology.

To schedule your advising appointment, use the button below or consider visiting during the drop-in hours.