Class Notes

Kenneth McCoy headshot
Kenneth McCoy
Nichelle Smith headshot
Nichelle Smith
Jessica Miranda headshot
Jessica Miranda
Stephen Qacung Blanchett headshot
Stephen Qacung Blanchett
Matt Gilbert headshot
Matt Gilbert
Christine Hopkins headshot
Christine Hopkins
Billeen Carlson headshot
Billeen Carlson
Zelda Swain headshot
Zelda Swain
Jennica Hampton headshot
Jennica Hampton
Malia Barto headshot
Malia Barto

1997

In January 2022, justice alumnus Kenneth McCoy, B.A. ’96, was named Providence Alaska’s first chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer. Starting his new position on Feb. 14, McCoy joins Providence Alaska after a 27-year career with the Anchorage Police Department, most recently serving as chief of police.

2000

Civil engineering alumna Nichelle Smith, B.S. ’00, was nominated for 2021 Engineer of the Year during National Engineers Week Anchorage by the National Association of Women in Construction. One of two UAA alumni nominated for the award, she currently works as a senior engineer with R&M Consultants. (Photo courtesy of DiscoverE)

2000

Psychology alumna and CEO/co-owner of Advanced Supply Chain International LLC Christine Hopkins, B.A. ’00, was quoted in a front page article for the Wall Street Journal about inflation and supply constraints faced by small businesses in February 2022.

2003

Civil engineering alumna Jessica Miranda, B.S. ’03, was nominated for 2021 Engineer of the Year during National Engineers Week Anchorage by the Institute of Transportation Engineers. One of two UAA alumni nominated for the award, she currently works as a project engineer with Kinney Engineering LLC. (Photo courtesy of DiscoverE)

2004

In February 2022, political science alumnus Stephen Qacung Blanchett, B.A. ’04, was one of 63 artists named a United States Artists Fellow for 2022. This fellowship comes on the heels of his placement on the Kennedy Center’s Next 50 list to celebrate the organization’s 50th anniversary. (Photo by Konrad Frank / Courtesy of Stephen Qacung Blanchett)

2004

In March 2022, Alaska Pacific University announced the appointment of educational leadership alumna Dr. Janelle Vanasse, M.Ed. ’04, as its next president, effective June 1.

2005

In October 2021, English alumnus Matt Gilbert, B.A. ’05, published Sitting at Their Feet, a Gwich’in Athabascan memoir. The book is a follow-up to his debut 2018 sci-fi novel Chandeera. (Photo courtesy of Matt Gilbert)

2005

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District announced in March 2022 that Nikolaevsk School teacher and education alumna Billeen Carlson, A.A. ’05, B.A. ’10, M.A.T. ’13, was named 2022 Teacher of the Year by the Alaska Society for Technology in Education. (Photo courtesy of Kenai Peninsula Borough School District)

2007

In January 2022, nursing science alumna Zelda Swain, B.S. ’07, M.S. ’12, returned to her alma mater as a guest lecturer for nursing graduate students on skin disorders and suturing. Based in Spokane, Washington, she currently owns and operates her own cosmetic dermatology practice.

2019

Natural sciences alumna Jennica Hampton, B.S. ’19, was hired by the State of Alaska as a natural resource specialist for the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water.

2019

Blueprint Alaska welcomed journalism and public communications alumna Malia Barto, B.A. ’19, to the team as their newest junior account executive. Prior to joining Blueprint Alaska, she worked in Juneau as deputy press secretary in the communications office for the Alaska State Legislature’s Senate Majority. (Photo courtesy of Malia Barto)