Program Mentor- Della Keats Health Science Program

The Della Keats program is a 4-week college camp the University of Alaska provides, named after an Alaska Native Inupiaq traditional healer from the Kotzebue region. Della Keats provided educational and medical services to her people throughout her life and believed strongly in the importance of expanding, maintaining, and sharing medical knowledge in ways that would benefit both Alaska Native people and the broader Alaskan community.

The experience offers an intensive residential summer program that prepares and inspires Alaskan high school students to pursue higher education with a focus on a career in the health profession. Participants will experience university residential life, complete health science-related pre-college coursework, and complete job shadowing experiences.
The program specifically aims to recruit Alaska Native, rural, and other underrepresented people to work in Alaska health fields, focusing on students who are interested in careers in the health sciences field, with the aim of creating a more diverse, innovative, and productive healthcare workforce in Alaska.

To thrive in this role, The candidate should be passionate about positively influencing pre-college students, with a focus on fostering their personal and academic growth. Strong organizational, planning, and communication skills are essential, as well as a creative and adaptable approach to leading recreational and social activities. A mature, approachable, and team-oriented mindset is key to success in this position. The ideal candidate must be empathetic and sensitive to the unique needs of students from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, including first-generation college students. A deep understanding of these students' experiences and challenges is crucial for creating a supportive and inclusive environment. 

Why be a Program Mentor for the Della Keats Health Science Program?
You will make a real impact on students’ lives. You will experience a dynamic, supportive, and student-focused environment. You will gain valuable leadership and mentoring experience. You will enjoy your time and have fun interacting with participants in meaningful ways.

What will you do?
Coordinate and oversee fun extracurricular activities – team building, fitness, wellness, and recreation! Plan cultural and social events to enhance student life and build community. Mentor students through study halls, tutoring, and academic coursework. Ensure student safety, compliance, and risk management protocols are followed. Work evenings & weekends—because the best experiences happen outside the classroom!

Minimum Qualifications:

High School graduation and a minimum of 20 university credits successfully completed.

Preferred Qualifications:
Successful completion of college-level math, health science, biology, chemistry, or physics coursework.
One year prior experience working with or overseeing students in residence programs.
Experience planning and implementing a diverse offering of social, educational, and recreational activities.
Experiences with rural Alaskan culture, lifestyle, challenges, and an appreciation for these.

Position Details:

This position is located on the University of Alaska campus in Anchorage. New hires will be placed on the UA temporary staff salary schedule, Temporary Grade 77, based on education and experience.

A valid driver's license and clean driving record in compliance with UA Safe Driving Criteria is required.

A complete application packet will include a resume, cover letter, three references, and backup documentation demonstrating the university credit requirement is met.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a number of adequate successful candidates are identified

☎️If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Jeni Davis, Alaska Center for Rural Health-Health Workforce HR Coordinator, at Jmdavis15@alaska.edu

*To be eligible for this position, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without restriction.  Applicants who now or may in the future require visa sponsorship to work in the United States are not eligible.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

All employees at the University of Alaska are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism when conducting or engaged in university business.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.