College of Liberal Arts
Kat Reichert, CLA Public Information OfficeJune 24, 2026cla-pio@alaska.edu
When Lizzy Hahn crossed the commencement stage this spring, she became the first graduate of ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ's science and environmental journalism degree program. For Hahn, the milestone marks the beginning of a career she has been working toward since childhood.
Her interest in journalism is rooted in a love of community and a desire to help people stay informed. "Community stories are very essential to any paper," Hahn said. "If you're informed about what's going on in your own town, then you're going to be better informed on what's going on at the higher levels."
Journalism has been part of Hahn's life for as long as she can remember. Both of her parents own The Nome Nugget, ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ's oldest newspaper, and she grew up watching them report on the people, events, and issues shaping their community.
"I realized I wanted to be a journalist when I was around middle school, high school age," Hahn said. "Seeing them do their journalism kind of inspired me to also pursue journalism as a career."
Long before arriving in Fairbanks, Hahn was already contributing to the family newspaper, taking photographs and writing stories about local events. Through those experiences, she saw firsthand the value of local reporting and the important role journalists play in helping communities stay informed and connected.
Hahn initially enrolled as a digital journalism major before the department transitioned to its new science and environmental journalism focus. When the opportunity arose to switch, she didn't hesitate.
"Science and the environment is such a complex topic, and having a whole degree focused on how to cover the climate, how to cover all of these crazy scientific topics is super helpful," Hahn said.
The degree was developed in response to a changing media landscape, where reporters are increasingly asked to cover topics ranging from climate change and energy development to public health, research and resource management. In ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ, those conversations are often central to daily life.
From thawing permafrost and changing sea ice conditions to fisheries, wildfire, energy development and community resilience, ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ is often at the forefront of environmental change. The issues playing out across the state often foreshadow conversations happening elsewhere, giving students opportunities to report on topics with both local relevance and broader significance.
Those realities helped shape Hahn's experience in the program. In addition to developing strong reporting skills, she learned how to translate complex scientific information into stories that are accessible to a broad audience.
"It taught me how to write in a concise way where I have all this scientific information — how can I make it make sense to the general, everyday reader who doesn't know all the jargon?" Hahn said.
"If I could have chosen the first student to complete the Science and Environmental Journalism degree, it would have been Lizzy," said Department Chair Lynne Snifka. "She brought so much energy to our new program. It's been infectious."
For Hahn, one of the program's greatest strengths was learning how to translate complicated information into stories that anyone can understand. "It taught me how to write in a concise way where I have all this scientific information — how can I make it make sense to the general, everyday reader who doesn't know all the jargon?" she said. That ability to bridge the gap between experts and the public sits at the heart of science and environmental journalism. Students learn not only how to report accurately, but also how to ask thoughtful questions, evaluate evidence and communicate complex ideas through writing, audio, video and photography.
"There is no boundary for journalism," Hahn said. "It's just delivering the information to the readers." The program's interdisciplinary approach also reflects the reality of modern reporting, where environmental and scientific issues intersect with politics, economics, public safety, health care and community life.
"Climate is in everything now," Hahn said. "Every single beat has a climate or a scientific angle."
Whether covering local government, subsistence practices, energy policy, wildlife management or community resilience, Hahn sees science and environmental journalism not as a niche field, but as an essential lens for understanding the world around us.
While science and environmental reporting became a defining part of her education, Hahn's experience at ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ extended far beyond the classroom. Through coursework, student media and internships, she explored multiple forms of storytelling, from traditional reporting and photography to audio and video production. One of her favorite classes was audio production, where she discovered a passion for radio storytelling. "I realized that I actually love working in radio," Hahn said. Faculty mentors played a major role in that journey. Hahn credits Snifka, faculty advisor Paula Dobbyn and instructor David Waldron with helping her develop both the technical skills and confidence needed to grow as a journalist. "She's been there with me from day one," Hahn said of Snifka. "She really helped me hone in my journalism skills."
As a reporter for The Sun Star, ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ's student newspaper, Hahn covered everything from breaking news and student issues to athletics and community events. Some of her favorite stories involved reporting from the field, camera in hand, documenting moments that mattered to the people around her. Others required a deeper level of investigation. "I'm starting to love [investigative stories] more and more," she said. Dobbyn has watched that growth firsthand. "As the faculty advisor to The Sun Star, I have watched Lizzy evolve into a promising young journalist," Dobbyn said. "She has a deep passion for local news reporting." Waldron agrees. "Her eagerness to learn, her thoughtful feedback to her classmates and her commitment to putting her best work out there was a real joy to see," he said. Now, with graduation behind her, Hahn is considering her next steps while continuing to build experience in the profession she loves. For the moment, that means returning to Nome and remaining open to whatever opportunities come next. The future may still be unwritten, but the impact she hopes to make is already clear. "I hope that my work informs the public and helps people make decisions that will positively impact their lives," Hahn said. It's a philosophy rooted in service, curiosity and community — the same values that have guided her from her first stories in Nome to becoming the first graduate of ÓÐÁϺÐ×ÓÊÓƵ's science and environmental journalism program. And if Hahn has any advice for future students considering journalism, it's simple: "We need more journalists out there."
