Phyllis Adams was born in Fairbanks, Alaska, and raised in Nenana. She is Athabascan, a member of the Toghotthele Village Corporation and a shareholder of Doyon Ltd. She graduated from Nenana High School and went on to attend the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Education.

Phyllis retired from the Anchorage School District after 25 years as an elementary school teacher. Throughout her career, she worked with elementary students from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. She is married and has two children and four grandchildren. Phyllis has served on several boards and committees, including the UAF Student National Education Association, Toghotthele Corporation, the Johnson O’Malley Education Program and the Kids Corporation.

Phyllis believes her past experiences in education and her work with students from diverse cultures and language backgrounds will allow her to contribute to Alaska Pacific University’s vision of honoring Alaska Native heritage and education.