花季传媒

On Sept. 22, 2023, over 500 enthusiastic Anchorage-area high school juniors and seniors gathered at the Alaska Airline Center for UAA's Academic Preview Day. The annual event presents an opportunity for young minds to explore the myriad of career and academic paths awaiting them at UAA.

Among the array of booths representing a diverse spectrum of academic programs were 17 College of Health tables brimming with engaging activities. Attendees were encouraged to immerse themselves in the world of clinical, community, behavioral, and public health through interactive activities such as:

• Crafting beaded friendship bracelets and taking a selfie with the "social work cares" care bear with the School of Social Work.
• Exploring a variety of skeletons and models with the School of Nursing and the Recruitment and Retention of Alaska Natives into Nursing (RRANN).
• Trying their hand at operating a portable ultrasound machine with Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
• Navigating a maze filled with pedestrians while wearing simulation goggles that mimic the effects of drunkenness, courtesy of the Justice and Legal Studies programs.
• Interacting with mock bacteria cultures in petri dishes with the Medical Laboratory Sciences Program.
• Exploring fake food and nutritional facts with the Dietetics and Nutrition program.
• Testing out a range of surgical equipment with the Surgical Technology program.
• Participating in strength and fitness tests with the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation department.
• Attending interactive information sessions with Legal Studies, Social Work, Human Services, and Health Sciences

These hands-on activities allowed students to engage in conversations and discussions with program faculty, shedding light on academic avenues available to them. Kristen Stoepler, an assistant professor of Health Sciences, spoke with a student who is planning to pursue a clinical graduate program and was nervous about the prospects of leaving the state to pursue a degree. Stoepler was able to inform her about the Health Sciences pre-professional track that offers all the prerequisites locally.

"I was grateful to have the chance to staff our booth and inform the student they could indeed complete their undergraduate degree right here in their hometown,鈥� said Stoepler. "I wish we could have captured the smile on the student's face when she left!"

Eric Oba, the chair of the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation program, noticed a surge in interest at their booth thanks to an interactive element - a grip-strength leaderboard. 

"On several occasions I saw students look at our Grip-Strength Challenge leaderboard, walk away, and then come back with a student from their school who they felt could potentially make it to the top of the board," said Oba, describing what soon became a school vs. school challenge. "We haven't typically seen that kind of engagement at our booth. To see students come back to the table multiple times was incredible and gave us multiple opportunities to talk about our programs and what we do!"

Many faculty had the opportunity to interact with the adult educators, counselors, and chaperones, expanding their knowledge of programs offered, and opening doors to future collaborations such as field trips and presentations. 

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Are you a UAA College of Health employee wishing to get involved with recruitment? Please learn more on the . 

Are you a proapective student wishing to learn more about a UAA College of Health Program? Learn more here. 

Are you an educator or community member looking for opportuntieis to collaborate on group presentations, demonstrations, and tours? Learn more about our menu of outreach and recruitment offerings.

 

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