Alumni Spotlight: Dakota Ramirez - Special Olympics Community Programs Manager
by Jessica Degnan |
Dakota Ramirez, an alumna of the Division of Population Health Sciences, serves as the Community Programs Manager for Special Olympics Alaska. She applies her education to create meaningful programs and support families with disabilities, fostering inclusion and empowerment.
Name: Dakota Ramirez
Educational background: please provide a list of the degree(s) you earned, year(s), and universities who awarded the degree(s).: Bachelors of Sciences, Health Science Health Educator Track, minor in Psychology UAA 2023
Hometown: Anchorage
Place of employment: Special Olympics Alaska
Job title: Community Programs Manager
How long have you worked at this organization and/or been in this position?:
I have worked as the Community Programs Manager at Special Olympics Alaska since January 8th, 2024.
Please describe your duties and responsibilities in your current role.:
I work closely with 9 different communities across Alaska including, Anchorage, Mat-Su, Tanana Valley, Central Peninsula, Homer, Ketchikan, Juneau, Kodiak, and Valdez. I help make sure they have everything they need for their athletes and unified partners to practice and compete in many different sports year-round. I make reservations for practices, fill out certificates of insurance for all of our communities, put on a fundraiser (Law Enforcement Torch Run), and help out at all the local and state games.
Why is your work important? What impact does your work have on individuals and communities? What do you love about your job?:
My work is important because we are providing people with intellectual disabilities a chance to compete against each other and teach healthy habits. This makes a big impact not only for all the athletes but their families too. We have a preventative screening at all the state games free of charge to the athletes which helps families financially. I love getting to be a part of something better than myself, I love helping others and watching them succeed with the biggest smile on their face.
What motivated you to pursue a career in healthcare, and how did your experience at UAA College of Health help shape your goals?:
I've wanted to go into healthcare since I can remember. I was in and out of doctors with broken bones and for family members. I always thought that I wanted to be a provider because I didn't know that the position I'm in now was an option for me to be in. After doing my practicum with Special Olympics Alaska spring of 2023, I knew that I wanted to be involved in their program. I volunteered a few times for them after I graduated but now I work for them and can't be happier.
Why did you choose to attend UAA?:
I chose UAA because I wanted to stay close to home. My dad and I are very close and I wasn't ready to leave him or our dog. UAA was the perfect size, the classes were not huge but you could still have a college experience that people in the lower 48 get too. Also, Alaska has so many outdoor adventures you can go on year-round.
What was your personal and/or professional journey that led you to your current career?:
One big thing that led me to where I am today happened fall semester of 2022. I was slacking off in school and missed important meetings for my practicum placement. After missing that meeting, I knew I wasn't going to get a placement there, Professor Stoepler reached out to me and told me that I needed to get my stuff together to graduate on time. That's when I reached out to Special Olympics Alaska. I knew I wanted to work with kids and I have always loved sports, so this was a perfect fit. One thing led to another, I passed my classes and graduated on time, and now work for an amazing non-profit.
Share your best college memory.:
My favorite college memory is going to all the sporting events with my sorority sisters. We could find us at all the volleyball and hockey games. We did a lot of volunteering and tabling before and during the games to raise money for many different organizations. I created some of my best friends through the sorority.
- Awards
- Community
- COVID-19
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Alaska Health Misinformation Response Project
- Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies