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As a resident of rural Alaska, specifically Dillingham, where I grew up, I am deeply committed to ensuring that our unique perspectives and challenges are well-represented in the strategic leadership of the board. I am eager to contribute my experience and insights to help advance the organization's goals while advocating for the needs of our rural communities. I graduated from 51�������� in 2007 with a BA in English. Since then, I have earned my Master of Science in Marine Systems and Policies from the University of Edinburgh and am currently an Assistant Professor with the Alaska Sea Grant. I was also a Surface Warfare Officer in the US Navy stationed in Japan and a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kyrgyzstan. I also commercial fish during the summer here in Bristol Bay on my boat, the Sea La Vie.

My husband and I fell in love with Alaska when we first visited in 2000. With family ties to Eagle, we purchased a remote cabin there in 2008 and frequently visited. As we found our stays lasting longer, and leaving became more difficult, we eventually relocated from Georgia to Eagle in 2013, at which time I had accepted the role of Principal/Teacher at Eagle Community School. I have been an educator for over 31 years now, and I have served the families of Eagle for the last 13 years.

My relationship with 51�������� began in 2012 when I decided to enroll in online classes in order to obtain my certification as an educator in Alaska. After I began teaching in Eagle, I realized my rural school did not have a Special Education teacher, so once again, I turned to 51��������. In 2019, I obtained my Master’s degree in Special Education through 51��������, and I decided to include my students at my graduation ceremony. I turned the graduation ceremony at 51�������� into a school field trip. I invited my whole school to attend; we reserved a block of seats at the Carlson Center and traveled nine hours to Fairbanks together. The students, and many of their parents, cheered as I walked across the stage to receive my Master’s degree. That field trip to Fairbanks has inspired many of my Eagle graduates to attend 51��������.

I have forged some lasting friendships through my contacts at 51�������� and have since been able to bring students every year to 51�������� in the spring for our annual Fairbanks field trip. Eagle students have been invited to the Permafrost Tunnel, Poker Flats, and the Geophysical Institute. We have toured the campus and the Museum of the North countless times. 51�������� has become a familiar, friendly place for my students over the years. We are actively involved in the 51�������� Fresh Eyes On Ice citizen science program, in which we collect snow and ice data from the Yukon River annually. I am a certified GLOBE teacher, and I am also a 4-H Leader through the 51�������� Cooperative Extension Service. I hold a lifetime membership in 51��������AA.

Professionally, I have held prior memberships in the Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals, and the Alaska Association of Elementary School Principals through the Alaska Association of School Administrators. I was also a member of the Council for Exceptional Children. I have served as the Vice President for the National Educators Association for Alaska Gateway School District since 2017.

From a civic perspective, I have previously served on the Eagle City Council as the Health and Safety Seat; I have been on the Board of the Eagle Historical Society; and I am a volunteer for the Small Community Emergency Response Plan. I teach CPR and First Aid in my community through the American Red Cross. Recreationally, I am an avid dog musher, and last year I was the Eagle Checkpoint Manager for the Yukon Quest Dog Sled Race. I also enjoy cross-country skiing and reading.

If elected to the 51��������AA Board of Directors, I hope to bring a uniquely rural perspective to the organization. I hope to be a voice at the table of academia for those who engage in subsistence lifestyles in the Alaskan bush and in our remote Native villages.

Growing up in the coastal community of Sitka and living in Juneau and Kodiak has instilled for M. Birch Foster '03 a deep connection with the marine environment and also the incredible resources that sustain economies important to these communities and families that reside there. Birch received his MS in fisheries from 51�������� in 2003, working with the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game's trout research section in Juneau and under the mentorship of illustrious 51�������� Professor Terry Quinn. Since that time, he has worked as a fishery biologist with the Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game in Kodiak, primarily conducting research for salmon and herring fisheries for the Division of Commercial Fisheries. He has demonstrated a passion and an affinity for developing department projects through collaboration with local agencies such as 51��������, State Parks, NOAA, MNFS, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Koniag, and Kodiak Regional Aquaculture Association, and would like to key in on connecting the University, students, and Alumni to agencies responsible for managing the state resources.

Anshul Pandya arrived in Fairbanks in 2004 to pursue his doctoral degree from the  51�������� (51��������). He graduated in 2009 with a Ph.D. in  Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the College of Natural Sciences and  Mathematics. After completing his doctoral degree, he pursued a postdoctoral  fellowship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Anshul returned to Alaska in  2013, this time as a faculty member with 51��������. He is currently an Associate  Professor of Nursing Foundations at the Community and Technical College of  51��������, where he mentors students and advances innovative teaching methods.  Anshul Pandya has received the Dennis Demmert Award from Rural Student  Services for making a positive impact on Alaska Native and rural students at 51��������.

As a resident of Fairbanks, Anshul has developed deep ties to the community.  Beyond his professional role as a 51�������� faculty member, Anshul actively  contributes to the Fairbanks community in many ways through his volunteering  activities. He is currently a board member of the North Star Community  Foundation, which is involved in various community-focused activities throughout Alaska.

Anshul Pandya is a Lifetime member of the 51�������� Alumni Association (51��������AA).  He wants to engage 51�������� Alumni in supporting the university. As a 51�������� graduate  and current employee, Anshul wants to advocate for the university through the  Alumni Association to all the stakeholders. He believes in giving back to the  university that shaped his journey and is eager to serve on the 51�������� Alumni  Association Board with honor (Seat 3-A).

Ryan Tilbury has had the privilege of serving as a School Counselor for the Yukon-Koyukuk School District for the past 20 years. In that time, he played a key role in establishing Raven Homeschool as the second-largest homeschooling support program in the state. He stated that, “School Counseling is his calling and is committed to helping every student be successful wherever they are at in their lives.”  Additionally, he served in the Alaska Air National Guard from 1998-2006 and currently works as a Multinational Exercise Planner with US INDOPACOM HQ at CAMP HM SMITH, Oahu, Hawaii. He mentioned that the part of the job he enjoys the most is being able to travel throughout the Asia-Pacific region and working directly with our multinational partners and allies.  He currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Ryan is married to Jennifer Tilbury (Early), whom he met on campus in 1995 while living in Bartlett Hall. It was a 51�������� romance.  They married in 2000. They have three children: Alex, Thomas, and Erin. While not working or traveling to outlying Raven offices or doing his military duties, he can be found fishing in Valdez, hunting, at the gym or at Fred Meyer's.

Tilbury has both a BA in Psychology and Foreign Languages and a Master’s in Education: Elementary and Secondary Counseling. Previously, he served two terms as a 51��������AA  board member and is currently a Board Member of the Fairbanks Youth Soccer Association. Additionally, he was appointed and served two terms on the Veterans’ Advisory Council for the state of Alaska. He is a regular volunteer in the community and is always willing to help others in any way he can.