Blumenstein recognized with 2017 Chancellor's Award for Excellence

Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein

Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein is a recipient of a 2017 Chancellor's Award for Excellence. Join us in Congratulating Dr. Blumenstein on this outstanding achievement.

Dr. Blumenstein's award was in the category of Excellence in Academic Research / Creative Activity, in recognition of the significant and positive impact to UAA and Alaska of her research on intimate partner and sexual violence. To learn more about her research, see her faculty profile page.

Barbara Armstrong, Forum editor, selected to receive 2016 Chancellor's Award for Staff Excellence

L to r: Barbara Armstrong and
Chancellor Tom Case at the
awards reception.

Barbara Armstrong, Alaska Justice Forum editor and Justice Center research professional, was recently announced as a recipient of the 2016 Chancellor's Award for Staff Excellence in recognition of her outstanding contributions and exceptional service to the university.

The Staff Excellence Award is given for demonstrated, well- recognized, sustained, or recent special effort by a staff person resulting in a significant and positive impact on UAA.

The Chancellor's Awards promote excellence and recognize individuals and groups for their exceptional service to the university community. The other categories for the Chancellor's Awards for Excellence include Teaching, Academic Research, Promoting Student Achievement,  Diversity, Community Engagement, and Stewardship. A reception for all the Chancellor's Awards recipients was held Friday, October 7.

Prof. Periman receives the Alaska Bar Association Distinguished Service Award

L to r: Alaska Bar President Nelson Page
presents the Distinguished Service Award
to Prof. Periman at the Bar Convention.

Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Legal Studies Program Coordinator in the Justice Center, was presented the Alaska Bar Association Distinguished Service Award at the 2016 Annual Bar Convention in Anchorage in May.

The Alaska Bar Distinguished Service Award honors an attorney for outstanding service to the membership of the Alaska Bar Association.  Professor Periman was recognized for her many contributions to the legal community including her work on the Alaska Bar Law Related Education (LRE)  and Historians Committees, and her chairing the LRE drafting subcommittee for the Alaska Youth Law Guide. The award is also in recognition of her creation of new UAA curriculum to better serve students interested in careers in the legal field and the intersection with public service, and all her efforts to expand opportunities for the next generation of lawyers and the people who work with them.

Dr. Lepage recognized by two senior Seawolf women's basketball players for his support

Dr. Cory R. Lepage, Justice faculty, was one of over 20 UAA professors recognized on Faculty Appreciation Night 2016 by senior Seawolf women's basketball players.  Players invited faculty members to the event on February 11, 2016 at the Alaska Airlines Center to thank them "for their work in the classroom and their support of the Seawolves."

L to r: Dr. Lepage and Jessica Madison
on the court at the faculty appreciation
event.

Dr. Lepage was invited by Seawolf  players Jessica M. Madison and Dominique V. Brooks; both are Justice majors. As players and faculty stood on the court, the announcer read a brief statement of appreciation written by the students about each faculty member.  Here are excerpts from the comments about Dr. Lepage:

"Professor LePage was always understanding of my athletic travel schedule and was always willing to help me stay on track." (Jessica Madison)

L to r: Dominique Brooks and Dr. Lepage
on the court at the faculty appreciation
event.

"He was always willing and determined to help his students any way he could.  Dr. LePage has been very understanding of our travel schedules." (Dominique Brooks)

UAA Justice Center faculty & staff recognized for years of service

Front row: Melissa Green and Tuyet Tran.
Back row: Dr. Payne and Prof. Brandeis.

Justice Center faculty and staff were recently recognized by UAA for their years of service:

Melissa Green, Publication Specialist —25 years
Tuyet Tran, Academic Program Specialist—5 years 
Dr. Troy Payne, Justice Center faculty—5 years
Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center—5 years

The Justice Center joins in thanking our faculty and staff for their contributions to the success of the Justice Center mission.

 

 

 

Our vision: Leading Alaska toward a safer, healthier, and more just society.

Dr. Myrstol and Prof. Knudsen selected to receive 2015 Chancellor's Awards for Excellence

Dr. Brad Myrstol and Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., Justice faculty, have been recognized for their outstanding contributions and exceptional service to the university and were recently announced as recipients of the 2015 Chancellor's Awards for Excellence.

Excellence in Teaching:
Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., Legal Study faculty: "Professor Knudsen sets the standard for excellence in teaching. Rather than relying on instructor's manuals or canned online resources, in every exercise she prepares for students, she carefully crafts an original problem that incorporates Alaska-specific legal rules as well as actual case studies from Alaska practice."


   


 Excellence in Academic Research/Creative Activity:
Dr. Brad Myrstol, Justice faculty and Director of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC): "Dr. Myrstol is one of the Justice Center's most productive researchers. He is recognized for his expertise in community-based participatory research and his knowledge of sophisticated statistical modeling. He is also increasingly recognized for his emerging expertise in conducting research in tribal communities and makes important contributions to our education and service missions."



The other categories for the Chancellor's Awards for Excellence include Promoting Student Achievement, Staff Excellence, Diversity, Community Engagement and Service, and Stewardship.

Justice faculty named influential persons by first/second-year UAA students

L to r: Dr. Lepage and Dr. Payne.

Dr. Troy Payne and Dr. Cory R. Lepage, Justice faculty, have been named influential persons by first-year/second-year students at UAA, according to a MAPworks survey.

The Division of Student Access, Advising & Transition (SAAT) within the Office of Student Affairs asked first-year and second-year students who took the MAPworks surveys during the 2014-2015 academic year to name "a faculty member who has assisted them the most in their academic success at UAA." A total of 535 students nominated 102 faculty members as influential persons. The division of SAAT and MAPworks program hosted an annual faculty appreciation reception on March 25 for individuals named by students. 

The MAP in MAPworks stand for Making Achievement Possible and is a student success and retention tool linking students with the individualized resources they need, when they need them. By taking just two surveys per semester, MAPworks @ UAA can assist first and second year students in getting connected to useful resources on campus.

Prof. Fortson named Alaska Legal Services Volunteer of the Month for September

Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, was named the Alaska Legal Services  (ALSC) Volunteer of the Month for September.

He served as an ALSC staff attorney for 4 years and regularly volunteers for the ALSC Attorney of the Day program by completing screening consultations with potential ALSC clients.  Prof. Fortson said, "By volunteering for ALSC, I am helping it to continue with its mission."

Click here to read the full story in the ALSC September Newsletter.

APD Officer Jonathan Butler, Justice major, and two other officers awarded Medal of Valor on Police Memorial Day

L to r: APD Officer Christian, Officer Butler, Officer Barth.

Anchorage Police Department Officer Jonathan Butler, a Justice major, and two colleagues, Officer Matthew Barth and Officer Eric Christian have been presented medals of valor for their response to a small aircraft crash on August 24, 2013 at Merrill Field Airport.

A medal of valor is awarded to a police officer for an exceptionally courageous act where the officer had prior knowledge of the physical risk and dangers involved.  The officers and a civilian, John Lameroux, ran to the burning aircraft to extinguish the flames and extricate two occupants.  They were able to free the occupants and pull them to a safe location. Tragically, the occupants did not survive, but the officers and the civilian worked heroically to rescue the individuals from a volatile and dangerous event.

The presentation to the APD officers is being made today, May 9, on Police Memorial Day.

Legal Studies faculty named influential persons by UAA first-year students

L to r: Prof. Brandeis, Prof. Periman,
and Prof. Fortson

Prof. Deb Periman, J.D.; Prof. Jason Brandeis, J.D.; and Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Ph.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, have been named influential persons by first-year students at UAA.

The Division of Student Access, Advising & Transition (SAAT) within the Office of Student Affairs asked first year students who took the MAP-Works surveys during the 2013-2014 academic year to name "a faculty member who has assisted them the most in their academic success at UAA." Students named over 150 faculty members, including our Legal Studies faculty, as influential persons.
 
The SAAT and MAP-Works hosted their first annual faculty appreciation reception on April 25 for individuals named by students.

MAP(Making Achievement Possible)-Works is a student success and retention tool linking students with the individualized resources they need, when they need them. By taking just two surveys per semester, MAP-Works @ UAA can assist first and second year students in getting connected to useful resources on campus. 

Prof. Periman selected for 2014 Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Community Engagement and Service

 
Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Legal Studies Program Coordinator in the Justice Center, has been selected for the 2014 Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Community Engagement and Service.  The award will be presented at the 2014 UAA Faculty/Staff Convocation in the fall.

Prof. Periman

This award recognizes "outstanding contributions to the advancement of partnerships between the university and Alaska's communities."  Prof. Periman has long been involved in establishing partnerships with the legal community and the justice system in Alaska. 

Her work includes chairing the Alaska Bar Association Law Related Education drafting sub-committee for the online Alaska Youth Law Guide; serving on the planning committee for and presenting at Color of Justice programs sponsored by the Alaska Court System, Alaska Bar Association, Pacific Northwest law schools, and the National Association of Women Judges to foster diversity in the judiciary and legal community; developing a partnership with Willamette University College of Law; serving as a community resource for pre-law planning and questions about law school admissions; serving on the Alaska Bar Association Historian's Committee; volunteering for law-related education events such as the We the People competition, Mock Trial, and the 2011 Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Conference Legal Clinic, and coordinating student service learning programs such as Wills Clinics at the Anchorage Senior Center and student volunteer assistance at the AFN legal clinic; and working with the Collateral Consequences Work Group on issues related to offender reentry.

There are two recipients for this annual award.  Also selected for 2014 is Prof. Arlene Schmuland, Head, Archives and Special Collections, UAA/APU Consortium Library.

Justice majors nominated for Victims for Justice award for UAA Says NO MORE campaign

Simona Gerdts and Kristen Speyerer, Justice majors/Legal Studies minors, have been nominated for a Victims for Justice award for their work initiating and coordinating the "UAA Says NO MORE"  campaign against domestic violence and sexual assault.

They were nominated for the Media Award category recognizing a person or organization contributing to awareness and understanding of victims in the media.  Winners in all 6 categories of awards - Role Model, Advocacy, James Gay Professionalism in the Line of Duty, Substantial Service to Victims, Phoenix Award, and Media Award - will be announced at the Victims for Justice annual awards banquet on Saturday, May 3 at the Dena'ina Center.

L to r: Kristen Speyerer and Simona Gerdts

The "UAA Says NO MORE" campaign is part of Simona and Kristen's degree capstone project with the UAA Center for Community Engagement and Learning (CCEL).  As part of the project, they worked to co-brand the "UAA Says NO MORE" campaign, which began the week of March 17 as a precursor to National Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April, with the "NO MORE" national campaign to increase greater awareness and action to end domestic violence and sexual assault. 

(Note: Don Megga of KFAT 92.9 won the award in the media category.)

Four individuals from Justice Center nominated for 2013 Chancellor's Awards for Excellence

Two faculty members and two staff members from the Justice Center have been nominated for 2013 Chancellor's Awards for Excellence:

• Dr. Brad Myrstol - Associate Professor - For Excellence in  Research/Creative Activity
• Prof. Deb Periman, J.D. - Associate Professor - For Excellence in Service to the Community
• Barbara Armstrong - Research Associate - For Staff Excellence
• Tuyet Tran - Academic Program Specialist - For Staff Excellence in Service to Students

The Chancellor's Awards promote excellence in what we do and recognize individuals and groups for their exceptional service to the university community.

There are group and individual awards in nine categories.  Winners will be announced at the September 20 Faculty and Staff Convocation at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium.

2013 CAFE-Oh-Wow awards presented at faculty appreciation lunch on April 5

Golden CAFE-Oh-Wow Award

Prof. Deb Periman, Legal Studies Program Coordinator, was among the recipients of a 2013 CAFE-Oh-Wow award for her service to the Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence (CAFE). Prof. Periman has been a Ford Foundation Fellow in the Difficult Dialogues Initiative, and the Alaska Ways of Teaching and Knowing Initiative, and has been involved in numerous other CAFE-sponsored programs. She is currently the faculty facilitator for the Making Learning Visible series, "Jumping into Scholarly Teaching."

The Center for Advancing Faculty Excellence promotes excellence in teaching, service, community engagement, creative activity, and research in an atmosphere of collegiality.

The Center is designed to support faculty at the University of Alaska Anchorage, including its Community Campuses, in order to showcase and promote innovations in teaching and research and advance a community of scholars. CAFE offers a wide spectrum of workshops, forums and assistance to faculty in teaching excellence, research, assessment, civic engagement, classroom success, student retention, and special support for new and adjunct faculty.

Prof. Periman accepts her award.

2013 CAFE-Oh-Wow award recipients with Provost "Bear" Baker. L to r: John Dede, Shawnalee Whitney, Deb Periman,
Provost Baker, Heather Caldwell, Heather Nash.

Prof. Knudsen awarded Masters in Judicial Studies

Prof. Kristin Knudsen, Justice faculty, was awarded a Masters in Judicial Studies by the University of Nevada, Reno on December 8, 2012.  The Judicial Studies program at UNR is organized jointly with the National Judicial College and is one of only two such programs in the U.S.  The program integrates technical studies of the judicial process with graduate academic courses to promote intellectual evaluation of the American judiciary.

Prof. Knudsen’s 302-page thesis, “Citizen Adjudicators – Lay Members of Alaska's Mixed Administrative Tribunals as Lay Judges in Mixed Courts,” examined the participation, attitudes, and recruitment of lay members of mixed (lawyer and non-lawyer) administrative tribunals in Alaska and compared findings to survey-based studies of lay judges in European mixed courts.

 Research for her thesis included a comprehensive anonymous survey of lay members of Alaska’s state administrative tribunals.  Among other findings, Prof. Knudsen found little evidence for a judicial dominance effect (inhibiting deliberative expression and dissent) equivalent to that seen in European mixed courts associated with Alaska’s mixed tribunal structures.  However, tribunal practices that do not support lay member contribution during deliberation were associated with member dissatisfaction and a perception of unfairness of the tribunal and hearing outcomes.
Prof. Knudsen joined the Justice faculty as an Assistant Professor in 2012 and teaches in the Legal Studies program.  She received her J.D. from the University of Santa Clara School of Law.

Dr. Rivera's award for underage drinking research noted in online Judicial ENews publication

Dr. Marny Rivera's award for research on underage drinking conducted in partnership with Volunteers of America Alaska  (VOA Alaska) was noted in the November 2012 online issue of Judicial ENews: Underage Drinking Related Issues and Court Practices. The award was presented in May 2012 by the Mutual of American Foundation. Dr. Rivera is a member of the Justice faculty and is the Justice Undergraduate Program Coordinator.

VOA Alaska has partnered with the UAA Justice Center, as well as the State of Alaska District Attorney's Office, the Alaska Court System, and others, in administering the Juvenile Alcohol Safety Action Program (JASP). Since 2005, JASP has worked with Alaska youths 13-20 years old. The program streamlines underage drinking cases by providing a model and services for screening, case management, treatment evaluation, and verification of program completion by juvenile offenders.

Two from the Justice Center receive 10-year service recognition awards at faculty/staff convocation

Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Professor and currently a Visiting Executive Research Fellow with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) in Washington, D.C., and Alan McKelvie, Senior Research Associate with the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC)  housed at the Justice Center, each received recognition of 10-years of service to UAA at the Faculty/Staff Convocation on September 21.

See photos from event below.

Faculty and staff congregate for breakfast before the event.

UAA Chancellor Tom Case chats with people before the program.

UA President Patrick Gamble addresses faculty and staff.

Prof. Fortson receives the Ben Walters Distinguished Service Award from the Anchorage Bar Association

L to r: Anchorage Bar President Elizabeth Apostola and
Prof. Ryan Fortson.
Photo by Jolene Hotho, Anchorage Bar Association

Prof. Ryan Fortson, Justice faculty, was presented the Ben Walters Distinguished Service Award from  the Anchorage Bar Association by Anchorage Bar president Elizabeth Apostola in May. The award is given to an attorney in recognition of outstanding contributions to the Anchorage legal community.

Prof. Fortson served on the board of the Anchorage Bar Association including a term as president, was  Chair of the Alaska High School Mock Trial Competition from 2003-2010, and is a member of the Alaska Bar Association Law-Related Education (LRE) Committee which is responsible for presenting programs and producing publications to aid the public in understanding the law and the legal system.

Until his appointment to the UAA Justice faculty, Prof. Fortson was a partner of the Northern Justice Project, the only private civil rights law firm in Alaska. He also worked for Alaska Legal Services Corporation (ALSC) as a staff attorney dealing primarily with family law, landlord/tenant relations, and public benefits cases. Prior to his ALSC work, Prof. Fortson was a senior associate with the law firm of Dorsey & Whitney LLP. His legal experience there included regulation of public utilities.

Prof. Fortson received a J.D. from Stanford Law School, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

4 individuals from Justice Center nominated for Chancellor's Awards for Excellence

Two faculty members and two staff members from the Justice Center have been nominated for 2012 Chancellor's Awards for Excellence:

• Dr. Sharon Chamard - Associate Professor - For Service to the Community
• Dr. Brad Myrstol - Assistant Professor - For Excellence in  Research/Creative Activity
• Barbara Armstrong - Research Associate - For Staff Excellence
• Amy Perkins - Fiscal Technician - For Staff Excellence

The Chancellor's Awards promote excellence in what we do and recognize individuals and groups for their exceptional service to the university community.

There are group and individual awards in nine categories.  Winners will be announced at the September 21 Faculty and Staff Convocation at the Wendy Williamson Auditorium.

Click here for a full list of nominees and criteria for nomination.

Dr. Rivera honored for research on underage drinking in Alaska

Dr. Rivera holds the certificate of recognition
as a community partner of the VOA Alaska
Juvenile Alcohol Safety Action Program.

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice faculty, was recently honored for her research work in 2011 on underage drinking; this research was conducted in partnership with the Volunteers of America Alaska (VOA Alaska) as part of VOA Alaska's Juvenile Alcohol Safety Action Program (JASP). JASP was selected as a Merit Finalist  for the 2011 Community Partnership Award  from the Mutual of America Foundation.

UAA was recognized as a community partner of VOA Alaska at the Community Partnership Award Luncheon hosted by the Mutual of America Foundation on May 24 in Anchorage.

VOA Alaska has partnered with the UAA Justice Center, as well as the State of Alaska District Attorney's Office, the Alaska Court System, and others, in administering the Juvenile Alcohol Safety Action Program (JASP). Since 2005, JASP has worked with Alaska youths 13-20 years old. The program streamlines underage drinking cases by providing a model and services  for screening, case management, treatment evaluation, and verification of program completion by juvenile offenders.

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors outstanding contributions that nonprofit organizations, in partnership with public, private, and other social sector organizations, make to society. The Foundation sponsors a yearly competition and selects 10 organizations from nationwide submissions for recognition. As a Merit Finalist, the Volunteers of America Alaska Juvenile Alcohol Safety Action Program will be featured in a documentary video produced by the Foundation.