Class Notes

In September 2025, Deborah Hansen, B.A. ’94, debuted her show “Conversations” at the International Gallery of Contemporary Art in Anchorage. Her show presents 11 large ceramic sculptures that weave together saints, mythology and symbolic elements, inviting reflection on power, dreams, justice and the human experience. (Photo courtesy of Anchorage Daily News)

In May 2025, the UA Foundation Board of Directors and UA President Pat Pitney announced the appointment of Tlisa Northcutt, B.A. ’95, in the dual role of UA Foundation president and UA system chief development officer, officially stepping into a position she has been shaping since July 2024 in an interim capacity.

In August 2025, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) awarded Shannon T. Bischoff, B.A. ’96, chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Purdue University Fort Wayne, with the designation of UNESCO Chair, one of more than 1,000 UNESCO Chairs across 125 countries and one of 29 in the United States. (Photo courtesy of Purdue University Fort Wayne)

Earlier this year, Bristol Vaudrin, B.B.A. ’01, released her debut literary fiction novel, Afterward, under publisher Tortoise Books out of Chicago. The novel was a finalist for the 2025 International Book Awards, and placed on the short list for the 2025 Hawthorne Prize. (Photo courtesy of Bristol Vaudrin)

In July 2025, Jason Johnston, A.A.S. ’04, A.A.S. ’05, A.A.S. ’05, joined R&M Consultants as a senior project engineer in the Surface Transportation Group. Johnston brings more than 20 years of civil engineering experience to R&M, which include supervising a team of engineers at the U.S. Forest Service, and roles with the National Park Service. (Photo courtesy of R&M Consultants)

In September 2025, Judy Staveley, B.S. ’04, released a new children’s picture book, C Is for Crime Scene: A Forensics A to Z Book. Illustrated by Alessandra Vitelli and published by Science, Naturally! (an imprint of Platypus Media), the book introduces young readers to the ABCs of forensic science, translating complex lab concepts like fingerprints, trace evidence and DNA into engaging, age-appropriate learning for families, classrooms and homeschool communities. (Photo courtesy of Judy Staveley)

In July 2025, Anchorage marketing and public relations agency MSI Communications promoted Asia Buzon, B.A. ’05, to the role of associate creative director. Previously the art director for the past five years, Bauzon will continue to develop and execute innovative creative strategies for branding, marketing campaigns and high-impact client work across a variety of industries. (Photo courtesy of MSI Communications)

In June 2025, UAA announced the appointment of Zac Clark, B.A. ’05, M.P.A. ’23, as the new director of Alumni and Community Engagement. A dedicated higher education professional with nearly two decades of service at UAA, Clark brings a wealth of institutional knowledge, strategic leadership and a deep commitment to fostering meaningful connections within the Seawolf community.

In May 2025, the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program appointed Michele Yatchmeneff, B.S. ’05, M.S. ’09, as the new chief operating officer. Yatchmeneff was previously ANSEP’s assistant director before becoming UAA’s executive director of Alaska Native Education and Outreach in 2021.

In August 2025, Alaska Public Media announced the promotion of Toben Shelby, B.A. ’08, to director of radio and audio services. Previously the FM operations manager, his main new position adds responsibility for leading a team of producers, hosts and engineers to promote local, regional and national content while engaging with community partners. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Public Media)

In September 2025, Dezi Robb, B.A. ’09, joined Anchorage law firm Landye Bennett Blumstein as an associate attorney with a focus on business litigation, employment law and labor matters. Previously, Robb gained significant litigation experience across both public and private sectors in Oregon and Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Landye Bennett Blumstein)

In May 2025, Bristol Bay Native Corporation promoted Casey Sifsof, B.A. ’09, to the position of senior director of shareholder development, where she leads BBNC’s efforts to create training, career development and employment opportunities for shareholders. Sifsof also manages the Training Without Walls Program, the corporation’s signature leadership development program. (Photo courtesy of Bristol Bay Native Corporation)

In June 2025, the Bureau of Land Management named Kevin Pendergast, B.S. ’10, as the new director of its Alaska State Office in Anchorage. In this role, Pendergast will lead the bureau’s efforts of implementing the administration’s and secretary of the interior’s priorities of realizing Alaska’s resource potential. (Photo courtesy of the Bureau of Land Management)

In September 2025, the Ketchikan Indian Community named Emily Edenshaw, B.A. ’12, as its new CEO and tribal administrator. Edenshaw was previously the president and CEO of the Alaska Native Heritage Center. (Photo courtesy of the Ketchikan Indian Community)

In August 2025, Coffman engineers celebrated structural engineer McKenzie Lallish, B.S. ’13, for earning her professional engineer license. Joining Coffman in 2013, Lallish has experience in designing and analyzing steel, reinforced concrete, masonry and timber structure. (Photo courtesy of Coffman Engineers)

In May 2025, Corey Hester, B.A. ’14, earned his juris doctorate from Harvard Law School with leadership honors. A born and raised Alaskan and son of a handyman, Hester previously earned his M.B.A. from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, and is the third UAA alum to have graduated from Harvard Law School. (Photo courtesy of Corey Hester)

In April 2025, after the end of the 2025 tax season, Forbes released a list of the best CPAs in every state. Among the names featured for Alaska was Kylie Kroeker, B.B.A. ’14, co-founder of Earth and Fire CPA.

In September 2025, the Rasmuson Foundation promoted Tasha Pineda, M.P.H. ’15, to the role of chief program officer. Previously the vice president of strategy, this new position combines the foundation’s core and strategic grantmaking under one leader. (Photo courtesy of the Rasmuson Foundation)

In September 2025, the Rasmuson Foundation announced the addition of Issa Spatrisano, M.Ed. ’16, to its strategy group as a program officer. In this role, Spatrisano will support strategic grantmaking by fostering meaningful partnerships and helping implement solutions to empower Alaskans with community-driven solutions. (Photo courtesy of the Rasmuson Foundation)

In July 2025, Coffman Engineers commended mechanical engineer Jesse Wight-Crask, B.S. ’18, for earning his certified commissioning authority designation. The certification will allow him to verify that a project’s systems, equipment and facilities have been designed, installed, tested and function according to the operational requirements and design intent. (Photo courtesy of Coffman Engineers)

In August 2025, Coffman Engineers celebrated mechanical engineer Noah Fowler, B.S. ’19, for earning his professional engineer license. Previously a power generation engineer for Puget Sound Energy in Washington, Fowler joined Coffman in 2023 where he supports a range of energy projects including solar photovoltaics, battery energy storage systems and microgrids. (Photo courtesy of Coffman Engineers)

In April 2025, Coffman Engineers commended electrical engineer Patrick Rider, M.B.A. ’20, for earning his professional engineer license. Before joining Coffman, Rider applied his managerial and engineering skills in the oil and gas industry, and then turned his attention to public service during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Coffman Engineers)

In August 2025, Coffman Engineers celebrated fire protection engineer Catelynn Hettick, B.S. ’21, for earning her professional engineer license. Originally a mechanical engineer, Hettick has contributed to a wide range of fire suppression systems, alarm design and life safety code analysis at oil and gas facilities, military installations and medical office buildings. (Photo courtesy of Coffman Engineers)

In June 2025, R&M Consultants added Nick Parker, B.S. ’24, to its Land Surveying Group as a staff surveyor. Parker has spent the last four summers as a geomatics intern with the firm, returning full-time after earning a bachelor’s degree in geomatics. (Photo courtesy of R&M Consultants)