"Make it Monday" forum - Education and Business Partnerships: the key to a strong Alaskan workforce

Missy Fraze came to Alaska in high school and graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Before changing careers and becoming an educator, Missy worked for a  dot com  startup and in the finance industry. She has worked for the Anchorage School District since 2003, taking a short break to work for GCI SchoolAccess from 2011-2014. As the Assistant Director for Career & Technical Education (CTE), Missy's works with all middle and high schools to build quality CTE pathways that lead to in-demand careers and post-secondary education opportunities. Missy has a BA in International Business, a Masters of Science in Curriculum and Instruction and is currently finishing her graduate certification in Educational Leadership. Missy is the President-Elect for the Alaska Association for Career & Technical Education.


Cathy LeCompte moved to Alaska in the spring of 1999 and worked for the University of Alaska for sixteen years before she was selected to become the Director of the Alaska Vocational Training Center or as most know it, AVTEC. She is an experienced and skilled post-secondary administrator and online instructor who came through a career and technical education pathway; she holds an AAS in Small Business Management, BS in Business Administration and an MA in Not for Profit Leadership. Prior careers include small business owner, nonprofit executive and fund development professional, health club manager and fitness instructor, and café manager and barista.


Jeff Libby fell in love with Alaska during a summer vacation in 2010. He sold his home in Maine and moved here in 2012. Initially, he was hired at UAA as a full-time instructor in the Automotive and Diesel Technology program. He is currently serving as the Associate Dean for UAA’s Community and Technical College (CTC). Jeff is a Master Certified Automotive Technician. He specialized in electrical and computer engine controls for Mitsubishi Motors for nearly 10 years. Prior careers and passions also include serving as a Maine guide, commercial boat operator,  wildlife  researcher, and K-9 handler for the Maine Wilderness K-9 Search and Rescue team.