UAS Alumni & Friends

Board of Directors

MISSION STATEMENT

UASAA is an open membership organization whose purpose is to serve as a vital connection between the alumni and the university. The UASAA communicates and advocates the goals and programs of UAS, and fosters a continuous sense of community by establishing relationships and networking among alumni.

Jerry Burnett, President

Jerry Burnett has served on the UASAA Board since 2006, and as Treasurer in 2007.  He has earned two degrees from UAS: an MBA (Master’s of Business Administration) in 1987, and an MPA (Master’s of Public Administration) in 1989.  He currently works as the Deputy Commissioner of the Treasury of the State of Alaska.

Mary Lou Madden, Vice President

Mary Lou Madden is a 35+ year resident of Juneau.  She obtained her M.Ed. from UAS in 1980 and continued her graduate education at Johns Hopkins University and The American University.  She has been the director of the Ketchikan campus and Dean of Faculty at the Juneau campus of UAS.  She is interested in tapping the liberal arts potential of the Juneau campus and in the workforce development potential of the extended campuses.

Cherie Nienhuis, Treasurer

In Cherie’s own words: “My name is Cherie Nienhuis and I was a Juneau resident for 25 years before recently relocating to Anchorage.  I graduated from the University of Alaska Southeast in 1999 with a Masters of Business Administration degree.  I received a Bachelors of Science degree from Michigan State University in 1980.  The University of Alaska Southeast opened doors for me.  It provided me with a quality education, and it put me in touch with staff who took an interest in my career development and helped me gain employment and transition into the workplace.  The personal nature of UAS lends itself well to this type of interaction and I believe it is its strength.  As an Alumni Board member, I would continue to promote UAS as the institution where learning takes place on a personal level and where an education is an experience, not a requirement.”

Jeremy Hansen

Jeremy was born in Mt. Vernon, Washington. He is largely recognized for his efforts in the private sector with his company Hansen Gress, which provides technology solutions in Alaska. Jeremy founded Hansen Gress when he was thirteen, and they are now celebrating 10 years of success. He is interested in growing membership and bridging the gap to younger generations and the business community.

Jim King, Sr.

In Jim’s own words: “I’ve been associated with U of A since I was one of 300 some full time students at Fairbanks in 1949. Later as a biologist and pilot with US Fish & Wildlife Service I was associated some with the Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit. As a Juneau resident for more than 40 years I have taken classes at UAS and worked on several projects related to Eagles. I received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree at UAS in 1989. I would like to work with the Alumni Associations to get some of Alaska’s oil wealth put into the University Foundation for the purpose of reducing tuition, raising faculty compensation and building the infrastructure of all campuses.”

Bob Mitchell, President

Bob Mitchell knows the value of the classes offered at the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau, because they helped him get his Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. "I was able to complete my Master's degree at UAF by taking classes at UAS," Mitchell said. "One of those courses was in finance, and that course has come in handy when evaluating investment opportunities." read more →

Nicolle Lewis

Nicolle Lewis was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska.  Her undergraduate degree was earned in Hawaii at Chaminade University and she completed her MBA through UAS in May 2007.  She has spent her career in accounting and office management both in Seattle and Ketchikan, working at a freight forwarding company, CPA firm, seafood processor and currently in the finance department at the City of Ketchikan.  Having completed her first degree in a traditional manner and her second later in life through a distance program she is very interested in serving the alumni association, encouraging networking among alumni and continuing her involvement in the educational community.

Venietia Santana

Venietia Santana grew up in Watertown, Connecticut, and received her bachelor of liberal arts degree in communications from UAS. She currently works as an employment security specialist with the State of Alaska Division of Public Assistance and in customer service at T.K. Maguires/Prospector Hotel. read more →

Rick Wolk

Rick Wolk accept an appointment to the UASAA Board of Directors in December 2008.  He is currently the faculty member in charge of the MBA program at UAS.  He is interested in starting an MBA chapter of the alumni association.