UAS Welcomes New Leaders in Alaska Native Studies, Equity & Compliance, and Education

The University of Alaska Southeast is pleased to welcome three new leaders this year.

Juneau, Alaska

Date of Press Release: September 14, 2021

Judith Dax̱ootsú Ramos

Judith Dax̱ootsú Ramos has joined the School of Arts and Sciences as Project Coordinator for the Haa Yoo X’atángi Deiyí: Our Language Pathway. Dax̱ootsú is Tlingit from Yakutat, Alaska. She taught for the Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development UAF. She is a co-curator for the American Museum of Natural History’s renovation of the Northwest Coast Hall. She serves as a clan and tribal historian to her people and is called upon for her clan knowledge on names, clan songs, and clan history.

She holds a Master of Arts in Teaching-Adult Education as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. She is working on her Ph.D. in Indigenous Studies on Traditional Knowledge of Tlingit Seal Hunting. Her research is in traditional ecological knowledge, traditional place names, ethnohistory, traditional foods and plants, Tlingit & Eyak language, and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

Haa Yoo X’atángi Deiyí: Our Language Pathway is a partnership between UAS and the Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) which aims to further the education of Native language scholars in an effort to revitalize and perpetuate Tlingit (Lingít), Haida (Xaad Kíl) and Tsimshian (Sm'algyax). It is an immersive language program which provides scholarships to scholars across Southeast Alaska who plan to teach their language.

"The depth and breadth of experience Judy Ramos offers, her passion for cultural knowledge, and dedication to students will enrich the UAS campuses,” notes Ronalda Cadiente Brown, Associate Vice Chancellor for Alaska Native Programs and Director of the program Preparing Indigenous Teachers and Administrators for Alaska Schools (PITAAS).

Ryan Wark

Earlier this year Ryan Wark joined UAS as the Director of Equity and Compliance. His responsibilities at UAS include Title IX, Equal Employment Opportunity issues, the American Disabilities Act/504 requirements, and Clery Act compliance.

Prior to joining UAS, Ryan served as a staff sergeant for the United States Air Force, an investigator for the Montana Innocence Project, a criminal investigator for the Montana Office of the State Public Defender-Missoula, and an investigator for the Lane County Public Defenders.

Ryan was born in Seattle, Washington and raised on Camano Island in the North Puget Sound.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Montana in Sociology with a dual focus in Criminology and Inequality and Social Justice. Following an upcoming thesis defense, Ryan will soon hold a masters in conflict and dispute resolution from the University of Oregon School of Law.

Dr. Mary Lou Madden

Dr. Mary Lou Madden was hired as interim director for the School of Education at the beginning of July. Madden has served UAS in many capacities over the years, most recently as the Education program evaluation consultant.

Mary Lou has lived in Alaska for 50 years. She earned a Master of Education in Education Leadership from UAS. She also holds a Master of Arts in East Asian Studies from Johns Hopkins University, and a Ph.D in Economics from American University.

Chancellor Karen Carey remarked, “Dr. Madden is the perfect person for this interim position at this time. Her experience and knowledge of education in Alaska is a great benefit for UAS.”

View more information about degrees and programs offered at the University of Alaska Southeast or call and speak with an advisor at (907) 796-6000.