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Carrie Baker served as Associate Dean of UAF’s College of Liberal Arts from 2021-2025 and as
Professor of Theatre and Film since 2005. As CLA’s Theatre and Film Department Chair for nearly a
decade, she taught performance classes and directed productions for Theatre/Film UAF. She is a
member of Actor’s Equity Association (AEA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG), with professional
acting credits in stage, television, and film. Carrie holds a B.A. in Theatre and English from
Middlebury College and an M.F.A. in Acting from the University of California, Irvine.

Elaine Drew has served as a faculty member in UAF’s Department of Anthropology since 2015 and, more recently, as Department Chair. She previously held faculty appointments at the Medical College of Wisconsin (2008–2014) and UAF’s Department of Psychology and Center for Alaska Native Health Research (2004–2008). Her research explores the lived experience of illness and care, particularly in contexts shaped by structural inequity. Through community-based work with Indigenous, immigrant, and underserved communities, she supports more responsive, relational, and inclusive models of care—grounded in empathy, cultural understanding, and a commitment to making care work better for those who need it most. Dr. Drew directs the Medical Anthropology Lab at UAF and mentors undergraduate and graduate students. She holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology and a Certificate in Medical Behavioral Science from the University of Kentucky, an M.A. in Anthropology from the University of Kansas, and a B.A. in Anthropology from Kent State University.

When I'm not helping keep things running smoothly in the office, you'll often find me exploring the beauty of nature, whether it's hiking in Denali National Park or simply enjoying a peaceful day at Creamer's Field. I'm also passionate about cooking and baking, and I'm always up for trying new recipes or sharing some of my favorite Mexican dishes from home.

After moving to Alaska I fell in love with the Northern Lights. The dancing lights, with their vibrant colors, create a mesmerizing spectacle that can spark a sense of wonder and awe - every time I see them. One of my most favorite things to do EVER is to take the dogs on a snowshoe at night while the lights are dancing above us. That always makes me remember why I decided to live where the air can hurt your face...

I love living in Alaska, it's always an adventure! I was a tour guide with for the first several years after moving to ������̳. I operated a 25-passenger coach on the infamous Dalton Highway and took visitors to the Arctic Circle and beyond. I have an affinity for the Arctic and the North.

For anyone who didn't get a chance to come to the live storytelling event, Dark Winter Nights: True Stories from Alaska in November 2019 at Hering Auditorium when I told my story "The Little Tour Bus that Could"- you get a second chance! Here is a link to the where I share the story of the worst whiteout I have ever come across while guiding on the Dalton Highway.

I have made a home for myself in the Interior and currently live and work in ������̳, AK with my two wonderful dog babies, Beauty and Fizzy.

To learn more about my photography and other artwork work visit my website:

I’m an Army veteran and UAF alumna with a BBA in Accounting (2019) and a BFA in Art with a concentration in Photography (2020). My artwork has been shown in galleries and museums across the U.S. and internationally, and published in several journals and books. Since finishing the undergrad program, I’ve been exploring oil painting and making my own pigments as a way to expand my creative practice.

I’m currently pursuing a master’s in Liberal Studies at Rutgers University and continue to stay connected to UAF through my work with the College of Liberal Arts. I currently live in New Jersey with my husband, two kids, many cats, and a closetful of cameras.

I tinker with things (small engines, carpentry, sketching, breaking stuff then fixing them). I am currently building an eBike, hopefully, it works. My spirit animal is a flying monkey.