Archive

UAA student Moira Phyala's internship with The Washington Center and volunteerism with Planned Parenthood in the nation's capital this summer was an empowering and eye-opening experience. The opportunity ignited Moira's passion for civic engagement. She returns to campus this fall with new energy and enthusiasm that will influence her work with student club Generation Action.

Sam Gingerich has risen through the ranks of higher education, beginning as a chemistry professor and now in the highest echelons of university administration. Here, he gets candid about his dairy farm roots, love of chemistry and what he’s currently reading on his iPad.

A firefighter's life is not a constant crisis. There's day-to-day stuff, too, like testing gear and ordering supplies (especially coffee). Thankfully, as a logistics student and volunteer EMT, Matt Swanson appreciates both the emergency calls and the purchasing hauls. Read more about his summer internship in Chugiak.

With a stable of horses and cavalry of clients already in place at Equine Assisted Therapy Alaska, intern and UAA student Grace Harris spent her summer rustling up volunteers to support the unique program that uses horses as an avenue to physical, psychological and social wellness.

UAA's Simon Kattenhorn has always felt fascinated with volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics and rifts. The Geological Society of America recently named him as a fellow, honoring his devotion to research and passion for teaching.

Seth Anderson '14 was among the first graduates of UAA's dietetics program. Today, he's part of a team of health professionals at Southcentral Foundation, offering nutritional guidance for his patients and working toward a healthy future for his home state.

Shawn Dinkins '13, reigning soup chef of the city, serves up meals for Anchorage's hungry youth at Covenant House Alaska. Next up: a culinary training program to help residents land kitchen careers outside the shelter. "It's so rewarding," she said.

Carol Swartz accepted the director's job at UAA's Kachemak Bay Campus-Kenai Peninsula College, saying she'd try it for a year. Thirty-one years later, she's still at the helm, recently wrapped up her 16th Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference and was named a member of the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame.

A high school anatomy class sparked Sofia Infante's interest in health, leading to UAA's Della Keats program and college Outside. Now she's studying medicine at Alaska WWAMI, with plans to help underserved populations as a doctor.

As a baby, Nicole listened to her step-grandmother speaking Spanish to relatives back home. Now, the UAA English-and-economics alumna is an adult whose passion for the language will soon bring her to Asturias, Spain, as a Fulbright English teaching assistant.