Students bring rural ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ voices to Juneau
Students during a trip to Juneau.
Feb. 26, 2026
Ten UAF–Bristol Bay Campus students traveled to Juneau from Jan. 19-23 for an intensive, hands‑on look at the ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ legislative process through RD F492: The Legislative Process, taught by Mike Davis, associate professor, emeritus, and ABUS F183: Career Exploration – Amplify Your Voice, taught by Kathy Kysar, assistant professor of English.
Students met with nearly half of the ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥ Legislature, along with staff, commissioners and lobbyists to discuss priorities such as coastal erosion, education funding, renewable energy, transportation and the importance of rural media. These conversations helped students refine their 2- 3‑minute elevator speeches and gain confidence in communicating with policymakers.
A highlight of the week was a traditional foods potluck hosted on Thursday evening, where students shared dishes from their home communities with legislators – creating space for cultural connection and deeper discussion.
By week’s end, students reported feeling empowered, better informed and more prepared to engage in ÀÖ»¢Ö±²¥â€™s civic process.