Alaska Area Staff Team

​Tim Peterson
State Wide - Area Ministry Director

Tim lives in Appleton, Wisconsin and has served with InterVarsity for nearly four decades. Since 1986 he has served in multiple roles and for the last 3 years as Alaska Area Ministry Director.  Tim longs to establish a thriving InterVarsity ministry on campuses from Juneau to Utqiagvic where students and faculty will come to know the love, mercy and grace of Creator Sets Free (Jesus Christ). Tim has been married to Tracy for 38  years and they have three adult sons. Tim enjoys good music, good food, gravel cycling, Nordic skiing, canoeing, mountaineering, backpacking, bird watching and solitude. 

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Gertie Zitzelberger​
Campus Staff Minister
​University of Alaska - Anchorage & Alaska Pacific University

Gertie is an Alaska Native woman (Inupiaq) who grew up in Unakaleet, AK which is located 148 miles southeast of Nome and 395 miles northwest of Anchorage. Unalakleet sits on the coast of the Norton Sound at the mouth of the Unalakleet River. Gertie desires  to create a fellowship of Alaska Native students who will follow Creator Sets Free (Jesus) while honoring their cultures and families. Students who will encourage each other to live healthy and sober lives, encourage continued education, gathering for traditional food, and practicing our Alaskan Native Arts.  Gertie has three sons and currently lives in Wasilla, AK with her youngest, Duke. ​

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Jake Taylor
Campus Staff Minister
University of Alaska - Fairbanks

Jake has lived in Fairbanks since the spring of 2023 when he and his family followed the call from God to serve with InterVarsity at the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. His passion is to see students captured by the love of Jesus and in response be transformed and equipped to be on mission for the Gospel. Jake is married to his wife, Kate, and together have two children. In his spare time he enjoys camping, hiking, fishing, traveling and just about anything else outdoors.

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Amy Josephson
Campus Staff Volunteer
​University of Alaska - Fairbanks

​Amy Josephson has been living in Alaska since 2012 when she moved to Fairbanks to pursue a graduate degree in Environmental Chemistry. After completing her studies, God called her to stay in Fairbanks to minister to the students there. Amy joined staff with InterVarsity in the fall of 2014. Amy is passionate about seeing Jesus transform lives, particularly though scripture study. Amy is supported by her husband, Tom, and their three young children Zoe, Eliana & Garrett. In her free time she enjoys hiking, camping, knitting, reading, and gluten-free baking. ​​

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Kate Taylor
Campus Staff Volunteer
University of Alaska - Fairbanks

​Kate moved to Fairbanks with her husband, Jake, and two kids in late spring of 2023. Kate is active in the community working with Helping Alaska and serving in multiple events. Her passion is to walk alongside those in need and help them experience the love of Jesus Christ. In her free time Kate enjoys hiking, camping and trying new food spots.