Their Success Stories are Alaska’s Success Story.
From the bison-filled tundra outside Fairbanks, to tree-lined forests near Juneau, to a robotics lab in Anchorage, UA Scholars are making a difference for all of Alaska. Read their stories. Learn of their motivations. You may just see a bit of yourself in them.
Click or tap on the profiles below to read each Scholar’s full story.
Autumn graduated from Homer Senior High School. She is currently attending UAS and is working towards a BA in English.
Being on her family’s fishing boat every summer, Autumn learned what it was like to
work hard, think on her feet and be open to new opportunities. She is fully embracing
all of these things through her studies at UAS. Though she may not have everything
figured out yet, hers is a lesson in being able to accomplish whatever you put your
mind to.
Read Autumn’s Full Story
You can learn a lot in a classroom. You can learn even more in the great outdoors.
Mariah Vantrease witnessed this firsthand as a student and skiing enthusiast growing
up in Homer and later, as a running coach in Juneau. She’s now found a role where
she can combine all of these things to create a more positive impact on kids. Best
of all, it’s in one of the most scenic places Alaska has to offer.
Read Mariah's Full Story
Katie graduated from Steller Secondary School. She is currently attending UAA and is working towards a BA in Political Science.
Born in China and adopted into a family in Alaska, Katie’s story is one with a worldly
perspective about getting a second chance. From Anchorage to Monte Cristi, and places
in between, she learned about other cultures and found her purpose: to someday provide
immigrants with the same opportunities she’s had. That is, after the whirlwind of
her exciting opportunities at the university are complete.
Read Katie’s Full Story
Matteo graduated from Service High School. He is currently attending UAF and is working towards an AAS in Fire Science and BSEM in Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
In this story, we join Matteo, a full-time student and paid firefighter as he navigates
finals and flames on the path to his dream career. It’s one that will help him repay
those in the medical industry who gave so much to him – and keep others in Alaska
safe. That is, when he’s not being called into action.
Read Matteo’s Full Story
Luke graduated from West Valley High School, then went on to attend UAF and earn a BS in Wildlife Biology and Conservation.
Luke’s story begins in the wild open spaces of the tundra. Here, as Assistant Biologist
on the Wood Bison Restoration Project with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game,
he is helping reintroduce these magnificent creatures back into the wild. It’s a project
that’s taken place over generations and will benefit many to come. His first order
of business though, is attending to a rather vocal bull.
Read Luke’s Full Story
Mya always felt she had science in her genes. At first, she wanted to use it to become
a doctor. Later, she joined her engineering family in tinkering with mechanisms that
would eventually lead to robots and their advanced technology. She wants to make Alaska
a tech center hub. But at the moment, she has her sights set on a disc and a goal
in the distance.
Read Mya's Full Story
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