Class Notes

The Alaska Travel Industry Association honored real estate alumnus Al Koch, B.B.A. ’87, A.A. ’81, with the Lifetime Achievement Award during the ATIA Annual Convention, recognizing his lifelong support of and leadership in Alaska tourism, promotion of industry standards of excellence, and contributions to the industry’s growth as a whole. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Travel Industry Association)

Chugach Alaska named accounting alumna Gwen Welch, B.B.A. ’95, as vice president of operations, the culmination of an over 20-year career with the Alaska Native corporation. Most recently, Welch served as the corporation’s finance leader for the last three years. (Photo courtesy of Chugach Alaska)

Upon the retirement of its president and CEO, Cook Inlet Region, Inc. announced the promotion of history alumna Sarah Lukin, B.A. ’00, as the Alaska Native corporation’s new president. Lukin previously served as chief strategy officer for CIRI. (Photo courtesy of Cook Inlet Region, Inc.)

General program alumnus Phillip Blanchett, A.A. ’02, appeared as a guest actor on the HBO crime drama series True Detective: Night Country. Airing in January and February 2024, the fourth season of the Emmy-winning show was set in the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska, based on the North Slope Borough.

Counseling and guidance alumna Sara Miller, M.Ed. ’03, was named Alaska’s 2024 School Counselor of the Year, culminating in a trip to Washington, D.C., to discuss matters regarding career and technical education, mental health advocacy and financial aid with Department of Education representatives. An Anchorage School District counselor for over 20 years, Miller created the Civic Leadership Program at South Anchorage High School, which provides students with the opportunity to mix community service with their classes to earn college credits at UAA. (Photo courtesy of Sara Miller)

Alaska nonprofit RurAL CAP named accounting alumna Selena Bailey, A.A.S. ’04, its chief financial officer. Bailey joins the nonprofit with more than 16 years of accounting experience and most recently was the CFO at Catholic Social Services in Anchorage. (Photo courtesy of RurAL CAP)

In August 2023, civil engineering alumna Valerie Palmer, B.S. ’06, was awarded the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal, the highest award for professional excellence in the U.S. Army Engineers Regiment. Palmer currently serves as deputy chief of the Programs and Project Management Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

The University of Alaska announced that management alumna Kristel Komakhuk, B.B.A. ’07, had joined the leadership team as senior director of Alaska Native success and partnerships. In this role, Komakhuk will help to guide and support the implementation of the Alaska Native Success Initiative Strategic Plan, and focus on strengthening relationships between UA and Alaska Native partners. (Photo courtesy of the University of Alaska)

Special Olympics Alaska chose psychology alumna Sarah Arts, B.A. ’08, to be its new president and CEO. Previously serving in the roles in an interim capacity, Arts has been with the organization since 2006, starting as a college intern. (Photo courtesy of the Special Olympics Alaska)

Chugach Alaska announced the promotion of accounting alumna Katherine Carlton, B.B.A. ’09, to vice president of ANCSA (Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act) and community affairs. (Photo courtesy of Chugach Alaska)

Kicking off 2024, in January nursing alumna Megan Eilers, A.A.S. ’09, was surprised with this year’s $25,000 Milken Educator Award, considered to be the Oscar of teaching. Eilers is a registered nurse and instructs future generations of health care workers as a health occupations teacher at Hutchison High School in Fairbanks. (Photo courtesy of the Milken Educator Awards)

Geomatics alumna Gretchen Meyers, B.S. ’09, returned to R&M Consultants as a senior land surveyor in the geomatics department. Meyers was previously at the firm from 2010 to 2014 before taking a break to raise her family. (Photo courtesy of R&M Consultants)

Business administration alumna Josie Wilson, M.B.A. ’09, stepped into the role of president for the PRSA Alaska Chapter. Wilson previously received the Alumni Humanitarian award during the 2018-19 UAA Alumni of Distinction awards. (Photo courtesy of PRSA Alaska Chapter)

International accounting firm and one of the Big Four accounting organizations KPMG announced the promotion of accounting alumnus Nick Whitmore, B.B.A. ’11, A.A.S. ’11, as the tax managing director of its Anchorage office. Whitmore originally joined KPMG in 2011. (Photo courtesy of KPMG)

On Feb. 8, the White House announced the nominations of several individuals to serve as key leaders in the Biden administration, including journalism alumna Emily Edenshaw, B.A. ’12, to be a member of the National Council on the Humanities. Edenshaw currently serves as president and CEO of the Alaska Native Heritage Center. (Photo courtesy of the Alaska Native Heritage Center)

Thompson & Co. Public Relations promoted journalism alumna Emily McLaughlin, B.A. ’13, to vice president. McLaughlin originally joined the firm 10 years ago as an intern. (Thompson & Co. Public Relations)

Teaching and learning alumna Princess Daazhraii Johnson, M.Ed. ’17, served as a creative producer on the HBO crime drama series True Detective: Night Country. Airing in January and February 2024, the fourth season of the Emmy-winning show was set in the fictional town of Ennis, Alaska, based on the North Slope Borough. (Photo courtesy of Princess Daazhraii Johnson)

Justice alumna Lily Tuzroyluke, B.A. ’20, is one of USA Today’s Women of the Year for 2024. Tuzroyluke’s debut novel, Sivulliq: Ancestor, a historical thriller following an Iñupiaq family searching for their kidnapped child, was a part of the Library of Congress’ Great Read from Great States list for 2023. (Photo courtesy of USA Today)