College of Liberal Arts
Kat Reichert, CLA Public Information OfficeMarch 16, 2026cla-pio@alaska.edu
Wendy Whitehead Martelle, associate professor of applied linguistics and Russian at the 鶹 Fairbanks, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the American Council of Teachers of Russian (ACTR), a national organization dedicated to advancing the teaching and learning of Russian.
Her appointment was announced during ACTR’s annual membership meeting on Feb. 11. The organization supports Russian language education through scholarships, professional development and study abroad programs while connecting educators and institutions across the United States.
For Martelle, the opportunity represents both a professional milestone and a reflection of the growing visibility of UAF’s Russian Language Program.
“Being elected to the ACTR Board of Directors is a real honor for me at this point in my career, and I’m thrilled for the opportunity to contribute to the future of Russian language education on a national level,” Martelle said. “I’m also proud that this appointment reflects the growing recognition of UAF’s Russian program and the work our students and colleagues are doing here.”
Martelle serves as coordinator of the Russian Language Program at UAF, where she focuses on helping students connect language learning with real-world experiences and interdisciplinary study.
Nationwide, Russian remains one of the languages the U.S. State Department designates as critical due to its strategic importance and demand across fields including diplomacy, cybersecurity, business, STEM and translation.
Martelle says helping students understand the broad relevance of language learning is one of the most important priorities for educators today.“One of my goals as an educator is to help students see how they can use Russian to explore the world and build meaningful connections,” she said.
She emphasizes that language education is most impactful when it intersects with other academic areas. “Combining Russian with disciplines like Business, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Political Science, etc. makes the language more relevant and practical for students’ futures,” Martelle said.
Another key priority, she said, is sustaining strong language programs nationwide. Organizations such as ACTR help educators collaborate, share resources and advocate for the importance of language study in higher education.
Martelle’s new role also strengthens connections between UAF and a national network of Russian language educators and institutions. Those connections can open doors for students through professional relationships, academic initiatives and new learning opportunities.
“Serving on the ACTR board connects UAF’s Russian Language Program more closely with a national network of educators and institutions dedicated to Russian studies,” Martelle said. “For our students at UAF, that means greater exposure to new initiatives, professional connections, and learning opportunities beyond our campus.”
Her work as an educator has long emphasized immersive and innovative approaches to language learning. At ACTR, she hopes to share strategies that encourage curiosity and meaningful engagement with language.
“I bring to ACTR a perspective shaped by years of helping students use language to connect with the world in meaningful ways,” Martelle said. “I look forward to sharing strategies that integrate authentic materials, interdisciplinary connections, and creative uses of technology – approaches that consistently spark curiosity in learners.”
Looking ahead, Martelle believes her role on the board will help create new possibilities for the Russian program at UAF while strengthening collaborations with colleagues nationwide.
“I hope it will lead to new collaborations, opportunities for our students, and greater visibility for the work we’re doing at UAF,” she said.
Support the and at UAF. Your gift helps expand language learning opportunities and connect students to cultures around the world.
