Rasmuson Fisheries Expansion
Charting a New Course for Fisheries Undergraduates in Alaska
In January 2007, the Rasmuson Foundation generously provided a six-year, $5,000,000 grant to the UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences to elevate its fisheries program to one of national prominence. The University of Alaska has provided matching funds for the effort. This website is intended to provide more information and regular updates about the progress of this initiative.
Vision: The University of Alaska Fairbanks will be the university of choice for training and educating the fisheries and marine resource experts needed to sustain and grow Alaska's vital fishing and seafood industries. As one of the premier fisheries and ocean sciences programs in the nation, the UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences will educate the professionals necessary to guarantee the sustainability of Alaska's vast and healthy marine and freshwater resources.
More information about the Rasmuson Fisheries Expansion can be found in the links below and at left. Major elements of the fisheries expansion include:
- The development of a Bachelor of Arts degree in fisheries (approved by the UA Board of Regents on June 19, 2008, see news story)
- The development of a fisheries minor.
- A focus on experiential, hands-on learning for students through internships and research.
- Broad geographic availability for students across Alaska through advanced distance learning technology.
- Increased recruitment and retention of rural Alaskan and Alaska Native students into fisheries careers.
- The revision and reinvigoration of the current Bachelor of Sciences degree in fisheries.
- The expansion of SFOS fisheries and oceanography faculty.
- An emphasis on the connections between oceanography and fisheries.
- The improvement of SFOS fisheries facilities and infrastructure.
See Overview for more general information on the Rasmuson Fisheries Expansion.
For more information about the Rasmuson Fisheries Expansion, please contact Dr. Trent Sutton, Undergraduate Fisheries Coordinator, e-mail: tsutton@sfos.uaf.edu, (907) 474-7285.
If you are a student interested in studying at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, please contact Katie Murra, Recruitment and Retention Coordinator, e-mail murra@sfos.uaf.edu or 907-474-6786.