Cornick is a regionally ranked expert in Cook Inlet beluga whale ecology, listed since 2008 as an endangered species under federal regulation.

More than 3,000 square miles of Cook Inlet has been designated critical habitat essential to the whales’ survival. Once an Alaska Native subsistence food, belugas in Cook Inlet are no longer hunted because of their declining numbers.

Cornick focused her talk May 31 on the ecology of Cook Inlet belugas and the lack of data when it comes to understanding their health status and the effects of contaminants.

She also discussed the status of waste water treatment in Anchorage, which flows into the Inlet. Anchorage is exempt from secondary treatment because extreme tidal fluctuations are believed to flush contaminants quickly from the system.

“Many of those attending my talk were lawyers and others who work in development,” Cornick told the APU Blog. “It’s really important for non-science stakeholders to hear from scientists on these issues.”

Cornick oversees the University’s Scientific Marine Mammal Monitoring Program. Among other things, the program has worked on monitoring belugas for the Port of Anchorage expansion.

Her talk included lab results obtained by students in the University’s Master of Science in Environmental Science program.

“People need to know that at APU we do real, applied and cutting-edge research that benefits the community as well as our students,” Cornick said.

Cornick presented data describing cumulative effects of coastal zone development and ways that noise, contaminants and decreased prey – among other factors – could further depress beluga whale numbers.

She regularly talks to local groups about her findings and is among the few area beluga researchers who is unaffiliated with an agency.

“I can speak candidly,” she said.

Alaska Pacific University is an accredited, private liberal arts and sciences university committed to experiential learning with Alaska as our principal classroom.

Summary:
The Admissions Counselor is responsible for increasing enrollment of qualified undergraduate (traditional and non-traditional students) and early honors students by meeting monthly and yearly application, admission, and enrollment goals for Alaska Pacific University (APU). This position assists with the development of a yearly recruiting plan within assigned territories and throughout Alaska. The Admissions Counselor will work closely with prospective students and their parents, Faculty, Staff, and Administration personnel.

Essential Duties:
1. Identify and recruit potential new students by providing targeted, timely information and initiating follow up contact through utilization of established communication plans and office staff.
2. Clearly explain departmental policies and procedures concerning admissions to the University for prospective students and their support networks.
3. Acquire and maintain an in-depth knowledge of all undergraduate programs offered by the University, as well as a working knowledge of graduate-level programs and opportunities for continuing education. Effectively use said knowledge to assist prospective students in identifying appropriate academic programs and career pathways.
4. Provide prospective students with information about the community, the state, the Anchorage area, and the University in general.
5. Ability and willingness to learn and utilize APU’s student information database (CAMS).
6. Perform preliminary and final evaluations of student admission applications and assist students with completion of application process.
7. Monitor and maintain student admission application files and conduct regular follow up with applicants via phone, email, and/or in person.
8. Arrange, participate and travel to recruitment events regularly in Alaska and the Lower 48 to represent the University at college fairs, community events, high schools, and community or junior colleges.
9. Make presentations about the University and its programs to appropriate groups and organizations in a professional, consistent, and knowledgeable manner.
10. Actively identify and participate in strategic planning for undergraduate territory, including identification of potential markets, analysis of past recruiting efforts, and the development of new recruiting strategies in coordination with the Director of Admissions.
11. Serve as a liaison between the Registrar’s Office, Residential Life, Student Financial Services, faculty, and prospective students and their parents to coordinate and expedite the process of admission and matriculation.
12. Perform other Admissions duties, including coverage of other personnel across the Admission’s office, and serve on relative committees and task forces as necessary.
13. Ensure that NACAC professional and ethical standards are maintained throughout the admissions and recruiting processes.
14. Maintain a professional appearance while in the office, at events, or within the community as a representative of the University. Considerations to include manner of dress, presentation of materials, and overall demeanor.
15. Successfully meet or exceed assigned goals for applications, admissions, and matriculation.
16. Submit regular activity reports to the Director of Admissions as required.

Essential Education and Work Experience:
1. A Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
2. Ability to travel independently.
3. Current and valid Alaska driver’s license.
4. Effective interpersonal skills, especially in working with a diverse constituency with varying needs.
5. Ability to communicate effectively with potential students and their families, faculty, administration, and other staff.

Preferred Education and Work Experience:
1. Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, internet and e-mail.
2. Knowledge of admissions roles and processes at four year colleges
3. Knowledge of sales/marketing strategies and practices
4. Knowledge of student information systems and their operation

Supervision Responsibility: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment:
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job, including regular attendance and punctuality. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, including regular attendance and punctuality. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit, reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance, or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Note:
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Position is Open until Filled.

Apply online

Sharpen your marketing and advertising skills this summer!

The 2013 AMA Professional Development Summer Series will be hosted every second Thursday between June and August  in the Carr-Gottstein Building on the APU campus.

Visit www.AMAlaska.org  or email events@amaalaska.org for more information.

Position Summary:
Provide direct support for the technology supporting academics.

Principal Duties:

• Supervise Academic Support Center and student workers.
• Work closely with faculty on the use of technology in the classroom.
• Assist in the development of the standard desktop solution for University system users.
• Support helpdesk staff in their efforts by providing documentation, training and guidance on the routine maintenance of the lab solutions
• Serve as a second tier support staff for helpdesk efforts
• Consult with system users to determine functional requirements, analyze and identify solutions to meet University requirements.
• Research, deploy, and maintain new technologies to meet the needs of changing business processes.
• Support and maintenance of campus computer labs equipment.
• Provide new employee computer setup and orientation.
• Identify, document and develop solutions to meet existing business process requirements using established “systems approach” including Analysis, Design, Development, Testing, Implementation, and Maintenance.
• Exercise discretion and judgment in the development and support of information systems.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation, standard solutions to issues, and an accurate inventory of hardware and software.
• Serve on the IT Planning Team whose goal is to discuss current issues and advise on planning, policy and procedure requirements.

Qualifications:

• Three or more years of experience within Information Technology field.
• Focused on delivering services that are stable, reliable, accessible and sustainable in a manner that is ethical and responsible
• Experience with managing projects from requirements gathering and progress reporting to management of change, risk management and stakeholders
• Experience developing and supporting complex information systems.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills with ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively, prioritizing internal customer needs and determining urgency and impact of request
• Excellent problem solving skills with the ability to identify usability problems and use innovation to find custom workarounds

Working Conditions and Physical Demands:
The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job, including regular attendance and punctuality. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Working in office areas as well as throughout the university. Sits, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours. Must be able to sit for at least 4 hours at a time. Must be able to lift, push, pull and move a minimum of 25 pounds repeatedly. Communicates and interacts with staff, faculty, students and general public. Communicates with department director and co-workers.

Note:
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
Position is open until filled.

Apply online

Summary:
The Student Records Specialist will be responsible for receiving, creating, and maintaining student files through the admissions process and until the student enrolls at APU. This includes data entry of admissions applications, transcripts, and other documents required for admission. scanning documents and files, indexing scanned documents to correct student record,, adhering to FERPA regulations and standards, and communicating changes/issues with prospective student files to different departments on campus as appropriate. This person must be proficient at all aspects of enrollment processing and detail orientated with a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with different groups and work in a team environment. The Student Records Specialist will provide administrative support to assist in the daily functioning of the enrollment management department when needed and assist in special events. This position will occasionally entail weekend work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Enter new applications into databases. Create, update, and maintain files in a very timely manner as new materials arrive (transcripts, letters of recommendation, statement of goals, etc).
2. Track student files sent to Admissions Counselors for admissions decisions.
3. Track student files sent to departments for graduate admissions.
4. Scan admissions and enrollment information into CAMS.
5. Communicate changes in admissions files to appropriate constituents within the University.
6. Clarify and improve policies and procedures concerning the admissions processes.
7. Be able to effectively communicate to different groups regarding admissions processes and student files..
8. Provide prospective and current students with information about the community, state, and opportunities available in Anchorage and at the university.
9. Work with assistant registrar to provide up to date information on transcripts for transfer credit evaluations.
10. Create reports to provide enrollment data on admissions applications and files to the enrollment management department as needed.
11. Data entry of evaluated transfer credit when needed.
12. Assist with daily operations in Admissions and Registrar’s Office when needed.
13. Assist with special events when needed, possibly including some nights and weekends.
14. Perform other duties as needed or assigned.

Education and Qualifications:

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. 2-3 years general office experience.
3. Data entry experience, with accuracy and attention to detail.
4. Demonstrated effective communication and customer service skills.
5. Ability to multitask and work independently.
6. Ability to obtain an Alaska drivers license.
7. Team player with a sense of humor
8. Ability to handle high periods of data processing.

Supervision Responsibility:
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment:
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job, including regular attendance and punctuality. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, including regular attendance and punctuality. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit, reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance, or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Note:
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Position is Open until Filled.

Apply online

“APU adds to the richness of choice in higher education” in Alaska, the Daily News said. “The tuition cut makes that choice a little more affordable.”

The Daily News noted that lowering tuition runs counter to trends, but makes sense.

Quoting President Bantz, the newspaper said APU can afford the cut for two reasons: Operating today under its capacity of 750 students, the University is positioned to add students without taxing faculty or facilities. And while an APU education costs about $30,000 a year, income from APU-owned properties can cover the tuition reduction.

“Not every school has that option,” the Daily News said.

Starting in fall 2014, APU tuition will drop to $19,500 from today’s price of $29,700. Reduced tuition combined with APU aid and scholarships make the University competitive with West Coast public schools that court Alaska students.

Today’s editorial also highlights the University’s new first-year experience course for freshmen and sophomore transfers starting in the fall.

Expedition Alaska – which features a 158-mile float trip down the Yukon River and includes Bantz among expedition faculty – further distinguishes APU, the Daily News said.

“APU has long held a solid place in the higher education landscape here,” the editorial continued. “Bottom line: APU tuition cut is good news.”

The description fits: By all measures—podium finishes, international and national awards, community service recognition—APU accomplishments as a team, as individual skiers, and as coaches attest to better every year.

And as I look back on the academic year just ended, I’m reminded of sustained effort that’s behind much of APU’s success, whether it’s on the slopes, in the classroom, or in building our Outdoor Studies degree, proudly celebrating its 20^th year.

Join me in considering recent accomplishments for a better APU:

• Our pledge to quality, private, affordable education for Alaska continues. In 2014, APU tuition will roll back to $19,500 a year – a savings of 34 percent over current costs.
• Starting in August, APU will inaugurate a unique first-year experience for all students new to the University. Expedition Alaska features a 15-day, 158-mile float trip on the Yukon River, introducing our students to active learning, APU and the vastness of Alaska. Bracketed by classroom learning in natural history, sustainability, psychology or wilderness skills, Expedition Alaska enhances self-awareness while fostering friendships to last a lifetime.
• Food security issues and the growing of organic produce for student meal plans are elements of a campus master plan under way for Kellogg Farm, our Community Service Agriculture project in Palmer.
• The University is investing $6.4 million in campuswide energy efficiency measures—with no net cash outlay and debt payments offset by guaranteed energy savings. Efficiencies are aimed at reducing fuel costs by 30 percent. We’re also pursuing innovative strategies to lower health care costs for our students and employees.
• Led by our faculty, we completed the first major revision in 16 years of courses included in general university requirements. Reinforcing our commitment to arts and sciences undergraduate programs that prepare students for 21^st century challenges and opportunities – especially those confronting Alaska – APU embraced competency-based education for intellectual and practical skills.
• New curriculum initiatives further distinguish the University. Within the MBA program, oil and gas issues are central to APU’s Alyeska University program. A new Alaska Native Executive Leadership Program starts in the fall as well as a partnership with Southcentral Foundation targeting Alaska Native health care.
• Collaboration with Alaska Native groups and public and private sector agencies are a foundation of applied research in our Environmental Science and marine biology programs. At the undergraduate and graduate level alike, our students work with APU faculty on real-world projects with statewide implications. Key to this success are upgrades at Gould Hall, new home of APU’s Applied Fisheries Science Laboratory and Marine Physiological Ecology Laboratory.
• Plans are proceeding for an APU Graduate Behavioral Training Center, also housed in renovated Gould Hall. Using a physical/behavioral health integration model, the center would serve needs identified by the Alaska Mental Health Trust while also providing internships for students in the Psychology Doctorate program and the Master’s of Science in Counseling Psychology program. The center would offer confidential counseling to APU students, staff and faculty while generating revenue through health insurance contracts.
• We’re doing a better job of engaging our alumni, thriving in just about every corner of Alaska and the world. It was a pleasure to greet so many of you in April when the third floor of Atwood was transformed into a birthday party to celebrate 20 years of Outdoors Studies at APU. Other recent events that welcomed alumni back to campus include our Nordic ski fundraiser and the Hickel Scholar lectures. Lots more are planned.

Better ever year, each year better. That certainly captures the essence of a forward-looking list like this one, but I’ll add one tradition: APU senior projects, those end-of-term presentations delivered by undergraduates from every degree and program.

Year in and year out, senior project talks let the entire campus community savor results of personalized learning—hallmark of Alaska Pacific University and education that works.

By unanimous vote May 16, APU trustees agreed to strategic planning that cuts full-time on-campus undergraduate tuition from $29,700 to $19,500, a drop of 34 percent.

Alaskans, who comprise 75 percent of enrollment, will find that rollback makes Alaska Pacific competitive with out-of-state pricing at large West Coast public universities, where classes range to 300 students and higher.

Studies show that since 2008, tuition at public universities has increased by at least 15 percent in most states.

“Lower tuition means that more students will be able to take advantage of private, quality education at APU, where average class size is 9-to-1,” President Don Bantz said.

Polls rank affordability – including student debt and the value of a college degree – as the No. 1 issue concerning students today. “APU students raised these same questions,” Bantz said. “We listened and took action.”

Figures compiled by the College Board show that APU joins only 22 percent of private schools nationwide offering annual tuition lower than $21,000. Scholarships and loans will drive costs still lower at APU, Bantz said.

Rollback was pegged to a level that permits modest growth in numbers of undergraduates living on campus while maintaining net revenue achieved with current pricing.

“We’re accomplishing this without eroding our budget or high academic standards,” Bantz said.

Reduced tuition is available to applicants nationwide and will be reflected in pricing in 2014 for currently enrolled students not already paying less than the rollback price.

An added incentive to choose APU: Students who complete freshmen and sophomore years at the University will qualify for junior-year education travel grants totaling $3,000 each.

Travel courses are part of APU’s longstanding commitment to experiential learning. Recent destinations have included Spain, Czech Republic, Cuba and Malawi.

A longtime Anchorage real estate broker who joined the University Board of Trustees in 2000, Bonnie L. Mehner, ’66, is the first female to chair the board following her election May 15.

“As a graduate I have always been interested in raising the University’s profile,” Mehner said. “To be successful in real estate and as board chair requires passion and a belief in what we’re doing to accomplish goals.”

She joins Harry McDonald, ’70, as the only graduates of the University to fill the board’s top post.

Mehner’s connection to the University runs deep: Daughter Bethany Weiser, ’97, and husband, William Mehner, ’65, are alumni as well.

From the June issue of Summit, the APU alumni magazine, here are Mehner’s thoughts on leadership, the University, and what’s ahead:

You’ve chaired the trustees’ Development Committee for most of your time on the board. Why was that role important to you?

It let me serve as an advocate for charitable donations from the community, trying to increase our donor base and develop greater recognition in Alaska and in Anchorage for the University.

Then, two years ago, I was asked to serve the full board as vice chair – a track that would lead to the chair. It was a great honor to be asked. My motivation is an extension of the pride I feel in APU and my belief in the importance of private education in Alaska.

If you inventoried APU strengths now that we’ve passed the 50-year mark, what would that list look like?

Strategic planning initiatives are reducing our costs and improving the way we make use of the University’s staff and physical plant. Under the direction of the current board and President Bantz, the University is meeting its budget. And endowment properties continue to benefit the University as does the generosity of our corporate and individual donors.

You bring a professional’s eye when it comes to evaluating the University’s real estate.

APU is situated on incredibly beautiful land in the middle of a city. The campus features world-class ski trails and immense natural beauty. Our location in Alaska, a state with thousands of miles of coastline, presents boundless opportunity. So yes, I certainly appreciate the value of University property.

But there’s much more to APU. Our faculty members are superb, and they value the small class sizes they teach. Our Board of Trustees includes top leaders in Alaska business, law, education, health and religion. APU trustees have the knowledge and desire to serve the University.

What ideas do you have to capitalize on APU strengths?

We need to continue to build relationships within Alaska Native communities. We need to expand outreach to high schools throughout the state and the nation so that APU opportunities for a wide range of students are well known.

The University must take full advantage of our internationally ranked Nordic Ski Team and its exemplary coach, Erik Flora. The team’s success tells a lot about what APU can offer skiers. But success also underscores the University’s commitment to personalized education – an approach that appeals to virtually all students and families as they look for value in a college degree.

You grew up in a military family and traveled the world. You probably would have been comfortable attending university just about anywhere. Why here?

My four years at AMU were marked by association with brilliant professors who had left careers stateside and moved to a new university at the edge of the wilderness. They were passionate about their subjects, they were engaged with us students.

Everyone from the University president to the admissions director to the food services manager helped foster enthusiasm for learning.

I loved being in school here. I looked forward to my classes every day.

Fair to say you’re applying that learning to this day?

Lessons I learned at AMU affect me daily, whether I’m leading a Development Committee meeting, encouraging others to participate in a fundraiser, or reading a poem to my grandchildren.

As I prepare to become board chair, I realize more than ever that my time at the University gave me much more than an education. My self-confidence and my ability to focus on goals developed here.

All these years later, I still recall professors who prepared us to write well and think creatively. University faculty introduced us to writers we’d never encountered before and history we’d never learned before. Our eyes were opened to worlds unknown. I’ll never forget that.

What’s the main thing you’d like the University community to know about you?

That I’ll continue to work toward increased visibility and appreciation for APU within the community and the state.

Your watchword is “sustainability.”

I define that as a student population larger than the roughly 500 that we’ve been seeing these past few several years. To sustain the University, we’ll need to see full use of our physical plant and faculty even as we continue personalized instruction.

Intentionally small class size and hands-on learning have been key features of the University’s success for more than 50 years. So yes, as a proud graduate and now board chair, I want to see that tradition sustained.

Summary:
The Coordinator of Off-Campus and Continuing Education Activities will provide administrative assistant duties for the Registrar’s Office. This position will work closely with various University Administrators who are responsible for the development of APU’s course offerings for both academic and non-academic programs.

Work with little supervision in a multi-task environment.

Essential Duties:
1. Responsible for registration and grade processing, including but not limited to all off campus and continuing education students.
2. Requires coordination of course registration activities with appropriate APU departments and with outside agencies.
3. Works closely with APU Student Financial Services Department concerning assessment and collection of fees for these offerings.
4. Assign course numbers and maintains inventory of offerings.
5. Enter course information, registrations and grades in administrative software system.
6. Produce class rosters, student grade reports, and administrative reports from the student records system.
7. Customer service functions of the Registrar’s Office.

Education & Work Experience Required:
1. High school diploma or equivalent and clerical experience.
2. Computer literacy and data entry experience. Experience with CAMS preferred.
3. Comprehensive computer experience in Microsoft Word and Excel.
4. Excellent verbal, written communication and public contact skills.
5. Customer service experience in high-paced environment.
6. Experience with diverse populations.
7. Ability to work independently.
8. Ability to handle multiple tasks, follow assignments to completion on a timely basis and maintain accurate filing and record keeping systems.
9. Experience in a post-secondary environment preferred.
10. Ability to maintain confidentiality of student records.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment:
Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job, including regular attendance and punctuality. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job, including regular attendance and punctuality. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit, reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance, or kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Note:
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Position is Open until Filled.

Apply online