Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ

Rainey Spurlock first enrolled at UAA when she was 13, taking classes at Mat-Su College alongside her grandmother. Now, at 17, the communications major and undergraduate commencement speaker for the spring Class of 2026 is likely UAA's youngest-ever graduate.

One of the most enduring metaphors for America is the melting pot — where different experiences come together to create something stronger. For Lt. Cmdr. Sam Krakower, interdisciplinary studies alumnus and graduate student hooding ceremony speaker for the spring Class of 2026, that metaphor reflects both his academic journey and professional path.

Anchorage’s history is unique. From a stop on the gold rush route, a tent city, a military town and now a hub for the state’s transportation, tourism and government, the city has gone through many iterations, and history alumnus David Reamer is something of an expert on the topic.

At the ripe age of 25, civil engineering alumnus Gus Schumacher has already competed in two Winter Olympic Games: first in Beijing in 2022, then in the 2026 Milano-Cortina Games where he walked away with a silver medal.

April 8 is National Zoo Lovers Day, and what better way to celebrate than by getting to know alumni Sam Lavin and Erica Quiett, who serve as the curator and husbandry assistant at the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Zoo in Anchorage?

As a safety specialist at Golden Valley Electric Association, occupational safety and health alumna Bobbie Perkins’ job keeps her on her toes. After all, how many people can say they make sure thousands of households are getting their electricity and heat?

Through his nonprofit Urban Hearts, journalism and public communications alumnus Josef Rutz is redefining homelessness outreach in Anchorage by prioritizing human connection alongside essential services.

Recognized with the K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award, dental hygiene alumna and professor Jessica Ross integrates Indigenous perspectives and clinical experience to transform health education.

Counseling and guidance alumna and 2025-26 Alumni of Achievement Deborah Morton is the recruiting, placement and mentor section supervisor at the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Military Youth Academy, where she guides families with teenagers who have struggled in traditional school environments.

Biological sciences alumna and 2025-26 Alumni Humanitarian Maile Johnston is a law clerk at the Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ Supreme Court and former Miss Â鶹ÎÞÂë°æ whose advocacy work focuses on children in the foster care system and survivors of domestic violence.