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Leading from the Summit: Hazel Probst

The 51�������� College of Liberal Arts is proud to recognize Hazel Probst as one of the 2024–2025 Outstanding Students in Anthropology. Probst, a senior majoring in anthropology with a concentration in archaeology and a minor in wilderness care, is charting a path shaped by leadership, exploration, and a profound respect for Alaska’s landscapes and histories.

A passionate mountaineer who spends her free time climbing peaks in the eastern Alaska Range, Probst has fully immersed herself in the 51�������� community. Whether navigating archaeological coursework or backcountry trails, she is driven by persistence and curiosity—qualities that have earned her recognition from faculty and peers alike.

Probst has taken on multiple leadership roles during her time at 51��������, serving as president of both the Alaska Alpine Club and the 51�������� Yoga Club. These positions have shaped her academic and professional journey. “Those roles taught me to manage stress a lot better, and they also taught me how to run events,” she said. “And then it also taught me that it’s important to lead by example.”

That hands-on involvement is part of what made her experience so impactful. “When things got tough, the key to helping me stay motivated was staying busy,” Probst said. “That was pretty easy to do with all the opportunities and events at 51��������. And also just hanging out with friends as a mental distraction—or talking about things with them—really helped.”

Her advice to future Nanooks reflects that same energy and intentionality: “Make your 51�������� experience whatever you want. If you have any goals, just keep pursuing them. Because there are so many opportunities here, you will most likely achieve those goals. Just stay persistent and stay inspired and motivated.”

Probst’s academic focus on archaeology and wilderness care also highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the College of Liberal Arts, where studies of human history, environmental knowledge, and cultural preservation often intersect. Her minor in wilderness care—a uniquely interdisciplinary program—reflects this blend of academic insight and outdoor experience.

After graduation, she plans to apply for archaeology fieldwork positions in the Great Basin region of the U.S. and is also pursuing opportunities with the Alaska Fellows Program, including a potential internship at the Sealaska Heritage Institute in Juneau, a cultural outreach organization dedicated to preserving and sharing Indigenous heritage.

From leading clubs to planning mountaineering expeditions to studying the deep human past, Hazel Probst embodies the kind of engaged, well-rounded scholar the College of Liberal Arts strives to celebrate through the Outstanding Student Award. Her future may be rooted in the past—but she’s always looking toward the next summit.