51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø

Catie is an Alaskan, born and raised. She serves students from the Southcentral area of Alaska. Having grown up in Chugiak, and graduated from Chugiak High School, she's well acquainted with the area and knows the needs of the students well. Catie loves going hiking, cuddling her cat, traveling, reading, theatre, and being a foodie. If you know good coffee or food from your neck of the woods, she kindly requests you inform her about it!

Nina's passion for adventure has taken her to many places around the globe, including Germany, South Africa, California and Montana, and she feels fortunate to call Alaska her new home. Nina values the tight-knit community in Fairbanks, and she eagerly looks forward to welcoming new students into the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø family. Nina's commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment is unwavering, and she's dedicated to empowering every student to achieve their academic and personal goals. She has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of curiosity and passion on a student's journey and is thrilled about the prospect of helping students find their unique path.

When she's not assisting students, Nina can be found hiking through the beautiful Alaskan wilderness, skiing down slopes, curled up with a good book by the fireplace, or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen (her three dogs are always by her side). She's excited to help future students explore their options and make meaningful connections. Let's get started on your educational journey at 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø!

Isla is so excited to call Fairbanks her newest home! She grew up in Wyoming, where her love for nature, adventure, and snow began. After high school, she spent two years attending Carleton College in Minnesota before transferring to the University of Wyoming where she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with Honors. She then spent two incredible years in Appalachian Ohio working in public health and being a Community Health Worker in villages and unincorporated communities throughout Southeast Ohio.

In her free time, Isla enjoys picking up hobbies for a year and then forgetting they exist. The ones that have stuck, though, are singing, playing soccer, walking (pretty much to and from anywhere), and watching movies. Curiosity is at the center of everything Isla does, she’s always learning something new about botany, neuroscience, philosophy, history… you name it!

Throughout her whole life, Isla has been drawn to understanding people’s lived experience and working to meet people where they are. She believes that community-driven problem-solving is the key to sustainable solutions. Isla hopes to bring what she’s come to understand through working with people from all walks of life: That when you believe in your own gifts and strive for growth, it doesn’t just transform your own life, but also lifts up those you love and strengthens your community. Isla is excited to help folks connect with the education and resources that can help them pursue what matters to them.

Christina was born and raised in Fairbanks and is proud to call Alaska home. She earned her degree in Graphic Communication from Northern Michigan University, where she also competed as a collegiate Nordic skier and cross country runner. Christina previously worked at 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø as the Assistant Ski Coach for the Nanooks from 2013 to 2017 and remains active in the local ski community through coaching and event organizing.

Christina is passionate about connecting with others and helping students discover their unique paths. She’s especially excited to introduce prospective students to the incredible opportunities available at 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø and within the greater Fairbanks community. Whether through academics, outdoor adventures, or creative pursuits, she loves helping others find where they belong and what inspires them!

Before joining the Admissions team, Christina worked across a variety of community-focused roles, from coaching and outreach to running her own art studio and working seasonally in floral design. She brings energy, creativity, and a deep love for her hometown to everything she does.

Outside the office, Christina enjoys spending time outdoors—whether she’s skiing, berry picking, camping, or biking. She also loves making art, baking, and spending time with her husband and two children. Also noteworthy is her deep passion for homemade baked goods and triple-shot lattes.

Palmer joined the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø Admissions team in 2017, bringing over thirty years of admissions experience with him. He loves helping students by connecting them to resources that help them achieve their goals. Palmer is based in Vancouver, Washington, to better serve 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø's prospective undergraduate students in the Pacific Northwest. He also is the go-to person for students from much of the Eastern time zone.

Palmer's favorite things are traveling, going out to eat with his family, playing Words with Friends, watching Survivor, drinking Diet Pepsi and listening to podcasts about Disney World. He's lived in Michigan, California, Colorado, Oregon, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Washington!

He's a past president of the Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling and was MVP of his high school's junior varsity basketball team in 9th grade. He still has the trophy on his desk.

Aliyah was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska and is a third-generation graduate from the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø. Growing up in Fairbanks, she played soccer and enjoyed figure skating. When Aliyah was 17 she moved to Texas, where she eventually ended up enlisting in the United States Army and served 10 years. Aliyah moved back to Alaska and received her Associate’s degree in Dental Assisting and Associate in Paralegal Studies. While attending college Aliyah worked as a VA work-study student for two years before joining the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø Department of Military and Veteran Services team full-time as a Tuition Assistance Specialist, working with Active Duty Military members and their spouses. In 2023 she joined the Office of Admissions regional recruitment team as the Southeast Regional Recruiter.

Her time in the military was spent as a Paralegal and a Surgical Technician. She served two deployments to Iraq, is Airborne qualified, received an Expert Marksmanship badge, is a level three Combatives Instructor, and is now a disabled veteran. She spends her time now with her husband, four children and two pit bulls. She enjoys hanging out at the lake with her family, Marvel comics, Star Trek, singing random Disney songs and living sustainably. Her passion is assisting students find their educational goals by using the resources available to them. Her position with the university gives her a unique opportunity to do one of her favorite things —  helping others grow in knowledge, respect and individuality. Aliyah believes that every person has a purpose, and she wants to help them find that purpose through education. 

Casey was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and is a first-generation college student. Attending college was always a passion of hers and she went on to receive a BA in Communication Studies with a minor in Sociology at Loyola Marymount University. While in college, Casey became a Resident Advisor (RA), which ignited her passion to work in student affairs. She continued her education to receive an MS in College Counseling and Student Development at Azusa Pacific University. While in graduate school, she had the opportunity to work for various departments such as Alumni Engagement, Conference Services and Orientation. However, it wasn’t until after graduation that she landed a job as a Visit Coordinator at Whittier College and was introduced to the world of Admissions. Casey continues to be passionate about supporting students along their educational journeys and helping them to find the right fit.

Casey’s first trip to Alaska was in December 2023, when she experienced temperatures below zero for the very first time!  Little did she know, she would be back to join the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø team in August 2024. Alaska’s undeniable beauty and welcoming community set it apart from any other place. She is eager to connect with students from the Lower 48 and Hawaii to share with them all that 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø has to offer.

Casey very much enjoys traveling, reading, walking around bookstores, drinking coffee, listening to the Hamilton soundtrack on repeat, going to Disneyland, listening to live music, playing volleyball, singing, playing board games and escape rooms, camping, watching reality love shows and scary movies, and spending time with her two Shih Tzus and fiancé.

Originally from the Philippines, Judith recently relocated to Fairbanks to be closer to family. She has a wealth of experience in customer service, project management, process improvement and mentoring. Using her skills and knowledge from 20 years of work in finance, retail, manufacturing, travel and hospitality, technology and media, Judith is excited to help you find your path at 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø.

She holds a degree in Computer Science with a concentration in object oriented programming. Before moving to Fairbanks, she was accepted to a law program at one of the top universities in the Philippines. Always ambitious and wanting to learn, Judith plans on working towards a master’s degree at 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø.

Judith loves to travel, but finds herself equally comfortable at home cooking, baking and reading. Combining her passions for helping others and positively impacting students, Judith is thrilled to be working in the Office of Admissions.

Kristy is Koyukon Athabascan, originally from the village of Nulato where she grew up living a traditional and cultural lifestyle. The village of Nulato is located along the banks of the Yukon River approximately 350 air miles southwest of Fairbanks. 

Kristy is a 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø (51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø) alumni who graduated with a BA in Rural Development in 2000 and has also earned her Master’s of Public Administration degree from the University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) in 2021.  

Kristy has worked at 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø in various positions since 2004 and has years of administrative and organizational experience. The most rewarding part of her job has been helping and supporting students throughout the years. As the Associate Director of Admissions, Kristy brings significant knowledge and understanding of rural Alaska and the surrounding areas.

Kristy enjoys hiking, picking berries and taking Alaskan adventures. 

Macom was the Director of Admissions and Recruitment at the The University of the Incarnate Word School of Osteopathic Medicine in San Antonio, TX and the Associate Director of Athletic Compliance at Florida Institute of Technology. With over three decades in enrollment management, Macom has also held director roles at Saint Leo and Jacksonville Universities.

During her career, Macom has served on campus-wide Title IX, ISSG, scholarship and mental health committees, acted as a Regional ADSEC Representative for NAFSA: Association of International Educators and presented nationally and recruited globally for multiple universities.

Macom also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and during Desert Storm and Shield worked as the Family Readiness Liaison Officer for 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, NC.

Born and raised in York, Pennsylvania, she earned a bachelor's degree in history from Hood College and a master's degree in Higher Education Student Personnel Administration from Saint Louis University. She and her husband have three adult children and two dogs. In her free time she enjoys international travel, gathering with friends, growing herbs and vegetables and immersing herself in different cultures. Allie and Bill are thrilled to make Fairbanks their new home.