Hailing from Bethel, Audri Goodwine has spent her time at Alaska Pacific University embracing the confidence and sense of adventure that the Outdoor Studies program instills. An Outdoor Studies Major with a Minor in Counseling Psychology and a concentration in Adventure Therapy, she has found a path that blends her passion for psychology with her love of exploration. When she’s not in class, you can find her hiking, skiing, ice climbing, creating jewelry, or simply enjoying time outside, which is something she says helps her “take a step back and push myself in a different environment that isn’t so busy as the rest of life.”

Audri initially intended to study criminology at Montana State University, with a focus on inmate psychology. But during the uncertainty of COVID, she chose to stay closer to home and explored local options. After connecting with APU at a college fair and learning that her close friend would be attending, she decided to give it a shot. “I’m really glad I did,” she says. “I’ve met so many cool people so far.”

Her academic path also evolved along the way. Audri began as a counseling psychology major but realized she wanted a more immediate and experiential career path without committing right away to graduate school. After discovering Outdoor Studies courses, everything clicked. She shifted her focus, even adding an extra year, to pursue a degree that opened doors to hands-on careers while still incorporating her interest in mental health. “I saw all the different job opportunities that could come from majoring in the outdoor studies degree, compared to a bachelors in counseling psychology,” she explains. At the time, she actually didn’t do many outdoor sports but once she started trying new things, she realized she could learn these skills that had seemed out of reach before.

Some of her most meaningful experiences have come from APU’s expedition courses, where learning extends far beyond the classroom. “That’s where I learn the most,” she says. “We’re in adverse conditions, trying new sports—it’s challenging, but it’s also awesome. I wouldn’t have those opportunities if it weren’t for these classes.” One standout experience was a three-week mountaineering expedition in the Alaska Range, including time in the remote Ramparts and a traverse across the Kahiltna Glacier. “Every day I woke up feeling so grateful to be there,” she reflects. “I didn’t think I was skilled enough to go at first, but I knew I’d regret not doing it. Being around people who uplifted me made all the difference.”

In addition to fieldwork, Audri has found value in her counseling courses, particularly Counseling Skills, which she calls “the most helpful class I’ve ever taken.” The ability to communicate and support others has shaped not only her academic experience but also how she approaches teamwork and leadership in outdoor settings. “It’s shaped how I have conversations with people, especially in those vulnerable moments,” she says, “I think it’s important to understand how people function so that you can be as helpful as possible.”

For her senior project, Audri is combining her passions in a meaningful way by developing structured mental health guidelines for mental health crises in backcountry settings. Her work focuses on creating supportive environments through intentional briefings, debriefings, and improved mental health resources, ensuring students feel comfortable sharing their experiences in challenging environments. A central priority of her guidelines is mitigation. Namely, doing the necessary work in the beginning of the course to ensure that students feel comfortable sharing their mental health struggles if they arise, which should lead to a more efficient and effective response by instructors. Some components of this are an updated mental health form that includes mental health questions, improved briefing and debriefing that incorporates mental health conversations, clearly setting expeditionary behavior expectations, and encouraging instructors to earn a mental health first aid certification. She hopes her project will have a lasting impact on the Outdoor Studies program.

After graduation, Audri plans to pursue seasonal work, potentially with Alaska Alpine Adventures, or explore opportunities outside of Alaska. Long-term, she hopes to return to school for a master’s degree in psychology and work in adventure therapy.

Her journey has been made possible in large part by scholarships, including the Kelly Rittman Scholarship, Atwood Performance Scholarship, and support from the Richard and Diane Block Foundation. “The only reason I’m in school right now is because of scholarships,” she says. “I’m incredibly grateful. These scholarships gave me the opportunity to complete my education.”

Her advice to future students: Take advantage of everything APU has to offer. “Try different classes, get involved, and build connections,” she says. “This is such a unique place with so many opportunities—make the most of it.”