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Friday Focus: Gratitude gets us through

Dec. 12, 2025

— by Ali Knabe, interim chief of staff

As my Friday Focus deadline was approaching, I found myself unsure what to write about. Then I walked into my office and found an unexpected thank-you note from our fabulous leaders at ASUAF. Later the same day, we faced two significant, unplanned challenges: reduced heat in campus buildings and a hot water outage, followed by a flood in the Gruening Building that displaced students, staff and faculty during finals!

By day’s end, heat and hot water had been restored, and cleanup was underway to make Gruening accessible again. That summary makes the day sound simple, when in reality it took an extraordinary team effort from leadership, Facilities Services, University Police and Fire, University Relations, the Registrar’s Office, and many faculty, staff and students. While the day at times felt chaotic, I ended it feeling one thing above all: gratitude. Gratitude for the way our teams came together seamlessly to respond to the unexpected and support one another.

In higher education, we often measure progress through metrics such as enrollment, retention, research output, budgets, grant awards and student success indicators. These measures matter. They help us understand where we are and where we need to go. Yet beneath them lies something less quantifiable but equally essential to the health and resilience of our institutions: gratitude.

As leaders, pausing to acknowledge what we’re thankful for is more than a seasonal gesture. It is a strategic act, and one that strengthens community, reinforces purpose, and sustains us during times of challenge and change.

A culture of gratitude begins with recognition. UAF is powered by people whose efforts are often invisible: faculty who mentor long after office hours, staff who solve complex problems quietly and consistently, students who show up with curiosity and openness, and teams who carry out the day-to-day operations that keep the university running. When leaders intentionally see and name this work, it reinforces a culture in which people feel genuinely valued.

Simple, heartfelt appreciation has an outsized impact. Â鶹¹ÙÍø consistently shows that gratitude deepens engagement and enhances well-being. At UAF, where collaboration is essential and burnout is real, gratitude becomes a powerful stabilizing force.

Working here means navigating competing priorities and unpredictable circumstances. It is easy to become absorbed by what is urgent rather than what is meaningful. Practicing thankfulness reframes our perspective. It reminds us that our work is part of something larger: the transformation of students’ lives, the advancement of knowledge, and the stewardship of a public mission. This broader view helps us stay grounded, empathetic, and connected to purpose.

The past several years have challenged UAF in unprecedented ways. Yet through uncertainty, our faculty, staff, and students have demonstrated remarkable resilience. Expressing gratitude honors that collective strength and helps build trust. When people feel seen, they feel more connected and connected communities weather difficulties more effectively.

As we move forward - through another academic year, another budget cycle, and another set of opportunities and challenges, let us lead with gratitude. Let us notice the everyday excellence happening across campus, and let us thank the people who make our mission possible.

Thankfulness reminds us that UAF is not just an institution; it is a community. And communities thrive when we recognize the good in one another.

In closing, thank you for all that you do for our campus community, and thank you to ASUAF for the thoughtful note that inspired this message. As we reach the end of the semester, I hope everyone finds time to rest and enjoy whatever it is that fills your cup over the break.

Friday Focus is a column written by a different member of UAF’s leadership team every week.