DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES

Juliana Sexauer (Andrew) is a JD-Ph.D. student in the Religious Studies department. Born and raised on traditional Dena’ina lands (Anchorage, Alaska), Juliana’s research explores the ways in which Western Christianity and American legal systems influence one another, as well as their impacts on Alaska Native communities. Her work focuses on these forces as they relate to late-20^th-century missionary-run Indigenous boarding schools and the lasting affects the schools have had on Native Alaskan families and tribes. Juliana received her B.A. in Religious Studies and International Relations from Pacific Lutheran University in 2021. Her undergraduate thesis, “Operation Salvation: The Many Faces of Arctic Missions, Inc.” is scheduled for publication in The Journal of Theta Alpha Kappa in the fall of 2023. When she is not in class, Juliana can be found hanging out with her dog, Luna, and husband, Jack, probably watching the latest true crime show. Juliana’s advisor is Sarah McFarland-Taylor.