51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø

Theresa came to Alaska in 1992 to work for the summer in the Valdez fishing industry. She fell in love with the state's rich landscape and culture, but it was the people and their authentic stories that caused her to stay. Her passion for telling stories has led her through careers in journalism, marketing and development. Before accepting her position as the development and alumni relations director, Theresa served for six years as 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø’s alumni relations director. She has also been interim executive director of university advancement and was the marketing and communications manager at the University of Alaska Museum of the North from 2010-2018. She first came to Fairbanks in 1996 to work as a producer for KUAC, the public broadcasting station owned and operated by 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø. She has also worked as a journalist for a variety of print and broadcast media across Alaska. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in creative writing from Pacific Lutheran University. Theresa is an avid knitter who enjoys hiking, swimming and walking in downtown Fairbanks, where she lives with her husband, 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø alumnus Jeremy Smith, and son, Owen.

Jeremy Johnson graduated from 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø in 2003 with a degree in political science and served as the student commencement speaker. He is thrilled to return to 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø as a senior relationship manager, contributing to the university's mission by fostering meaningful connections with alumni, donors and partners.

A born-and-raised Alaskan, Jeremy has a robust leadership and community development background. As president and CEO of the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, he led initiatives in business advocacy, community and economic development, and workforce programs. His career with the State of Alaska included roles as regional election supervisor and local government specialist, where he oversaw election operations, supported municipalities with technical assistance and delivered training workshops across rural communities.

Now based in northern Colorado, Jeremy divides his time between Alaska and the Lower 48, focusing on building relationships with 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø affiliates across the country. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, cross-country skiing, camping with his family and embracing the great outdoors.

Caitlin Lipka joined the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø Office of Development in October 2023 as a senior relationship manager.

Caitlin has over 10 years of experience working for the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø and the University of Alaska statewide office. Most recently, Caitlin served as the associate director of admissions at 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø, where she focused on growing 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø’s new student enrollment and leading the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø admissions counseling team. She was also a 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø admissions counselor for five years, and she worked as a program specialist with the UA Scholars Program and the Alaska 529 educational savings plan. Caitlin loves 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø, and she is always excited to talk about the unique opportunities and possibilities available here!

Caitlin was born and raised in Washington state, but she has called Alaska home since 2011. After graduating from Washington State University with a bachelor’s degree in sport management, she came to Alaska for a summer job in tourism and has lived in Alaska ever since. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling with her kids and husband, meeting new people and exploring fun activities to stay active year-round in Alaska.

Judy Dellinger joined the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø in June 2020 as a major gifts officer with a focus on the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø Department of Athletics. Originally from Hermiston, Oregon, Judy moved to Alaska in 1989 and earned her bachelor’s degree in rural development at 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø in 1994. 

With over 20 years of experience in the Fairbanks nonprofit community, Judy returned to her alma mater after serving as the executive and finance coordinator for Explore Fairbanks and the marketing consultant for JP Jones Community Center. Prior to that, Dellinger worked at Love INC in several capacities, including development director and executive director. Judy has also served as the executive director for the Greater Fairbanks Habitat for Humanity.

Judy currently serves as secretary on the board of directors at the FYND Out Free Pregnancy Center and as secretary on the management team of the Fairbanks Frontier Chorus, also known as The Fairbanks Sweet Adelines, where she has been a member since 2007.

Miranda joined the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø Office of Development in January 2025 as a development coordinator, bringing with her more than 16 years of professional fundraising experience from across the industry.

Miranda graduated from the University of New Hampshire with both a B.A. in international relations & geography and an MBA. Her professional story began in 2006 in downtown New York City at a direct marketing list brokerage, researching donor lists for her clients. This would set her on the path to a career in fundraising. After several years in the Big Apple, she moved to Colorado. There, she worked at a database cooperative, which analyzed lists of pre-qualified donors. In this position, Miranda began to develop and strengthen her relationship management skills, learning the power of connection and collaboration. She managed a portfolio of accounts ranging from humanitarian aid, medical, and veteran support organizations to environmental and animal welfare groups.

In 2016, Miranda teamed up with the founder of a digital marketing start-up. Together, they grew the company into a thriving agency supporting nonprofit annual giving campaigns. After two years, the company was successfully acquired by a creative marketing agency and Miranda served as senior director of digital fundraising until 2022.

Miranda has visited her family’s remote cabin outside Fairbanks throughout her life. In 2024, she finally decided to call Alaska her home – and couldn’t be happier to have found the team at 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø! She loves skiing and hiking the trails of Alaska’s Interior with her puppy, Peaches.

Allison joined the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø as an employee in 1998. As associate director of development, she provides data analysis and reporting for the major gift division, while also overseeing stewardship and the management of private scholarships and funds. She joined the Development Office in 2008 after holding several positions within 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø Advancement Services and University Relations, where she focused on database management and gift processing.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in management from Oregon State University in 1993 and her MBA from 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø in 1999. Allison is an active member of the Association of Donor Relations Professionals and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

A lifelong Fairbanksan, Allison grew up on the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø campus, first attending camps as a child and later as a student. She and her husband, John (a fellow 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø alumnus), make their home in Fairbanks with their three children, Bailey, Kylee and Preston.

Originally from Nebraska, Vicky and her husband came  to Alaska in 1996, first making their home in Nome and moving to Fairbanks with their two children in 2004.

Vicky joined the 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø Community and Technical College in 2012 in a temporary position and then later became the CTC marketing and Dean’s Office assistant. In 2024 she transitioned to 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø Development.

In her spare time, Vicky enjoys spending time with her family, reading and sewing.