Author: Ahliil Saitanan

Leslie is studying to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMH-NP) at the University of Alaska. She was drawn to the program because of her desire to further her education so she can better address the mental health needs of our area. After completing her program, Leslie plans to work in Alaska with a focus toward children and adolescents with behavioral and/or mental health disorders.

Of her best study tip, Leslie says, “Work ahead when you can! There will always be things that come up that throw off your schedule.” Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son fishing, hiking and camping.

Leslie says of her MSHF scholarship, “The MSHF scholarship has helped fund my tuition lessening the financial burden that higher education so often produces.”

Interested in learning more about Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship programs? Click here to register for an upcoming virtual MSHF Scholarship Info Session!

Kelly is pursuing her Design Thinking certificate at Cornell University. On what drew her to the program, Kelly says, “In my work as a community organizer and program developer, I was always balancing between the human needs and expressed frustrations with current programs and I was developing innovative cohorts with unique curricula. I felt that the Design Thinking tools were a good fit for the types of human-centered programing I wanted to produce. The certificate program at Cornell placed me in a team of other innovators who were engineers, analysts and program developers from around the world. It was exciting to blend community organizing methodology with a Design framework.”

Kelly currently works for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and after completing her certificate, she plans to begin working with a small team that and train them to us Design Thinking tools so they can implement them in their program creation. She says, “It brings us out of our own ‘wants’ and helps us listen intently to the people who will be accessing our content.”

Her best study tip she also calls a life hack: have a planner that breaks up your year into months and weeks. One with reflection sections to evaluate where you did great and where you need to focus on improving next week is especially helpful. Kelly says, “I use this to help me schedule time for course work, field work, reading and submitting assignments.” Her recommendation is Panda Planner. Outside of school, Kelly loves to travel! She says, “My job takes me all over the country, but I really enjoy having a great meal in a new place with friends I just met.”

Of her MSHF scholarship, Kelly says, “I am grateful for the MSHF Scholarship because I was able to get this certificate at the time when I needed it the most: building national training programs. Financially, the certificate would not have been feasible until later in my career but MSHF made it possible now where I can benefit from the education, putting the learning into practice immediately.”

Interested in learning more about Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship programs? Click here to register for an upcoming virtual MSHF Scholarship Info Session!

Karen is studying medical billing and coding at Ashworth College. A friend recommended the school to Karen and she thought it would be helpful to be able to complete the program while still developing her doula business. After completing her program, she plans to provide billing services to a local midwife and hopes to expand her services to other Mat-Su businesses.

Her best study tip is to set up a goals and rewards system! Outside of school, Karen enjoys spending with family and friends, as well as enjoying the beautiful state of Alaska.

Of her MSHF scholarship, Karen says, “It is a huge help during a time when COVID turned our family income upside down.”

Interested in learning more about Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship programs? Click here to register for an upcoming virtual MSHF Scholarship Info Session!

Justin is enrolled in the nursing program at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He says, “I was drawn to the medical field because I find it rewarding helping and caring for people. The pandemic has made me more passionate about this field.” After completing his program, his goal is to work at Mat-Su Regional Center so he can serve his community.

Justin says COVID has definitely impacted his approach to studying since classes moved online. He says, “The best tip I’ve picked up during my time spent studying and doing homework is to take lots of breaks. Breaks are important for the brain to catch a break and rest.” Outside of school, he enjoys playing guitar, kayaking and foraging for berries and other edibles.

Of his MSHF scholarship, Justin says, “I do not do well with online classes. The Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship helped me immensely during the difficult transition to online classes because of Covid. With the scholarship, I excelled in my classes because I was able to use the scholarship for technology needs that I would not otherwise have been able to afford. In addition, books are incredibly expensive. The scholarship allowed me the financial ability to purchase books. Overall, the scholarship has allowed me to invest in my future and set me up to give back to my community.”

Interested in learning more about Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship programs? Click here to register for an upcoming virtual MSHF Scholarship Info Session!

Jayme is originally from Talkeetna and moved to the big island, Hawai’i, in 2020 to begin a two-year advanced standing graduate program in social work. She is currently a MSW student focusing on behavioral and mental health in the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health at the University of Hawaii Manoa. On what drew her to the program, Jayme says, “After many years navigating the UA system, I graduated with a BSW from UAF and not long after decided that I should continue on to get further education. At that time, however, there were no appropriate online options to obtain a social work graduate level degree in Alaska, so I began searching outside of my home state for other options and found that many Alaskans had attended UHM.”

After graduating, Jayme plans to work at a rural area employment site where she can put in the required 3000 hours of clinical supervision needed to apply for the LCSW exam. Her best study tip is to learn how to be a good “skimmer.” She says, “It is near to impossible to live a normal life and read everything required for graduate level courses. Learning to skim for most important content and to summarize material effectively is a very valuable and time saving skill.” Outside of school, Jayme enjoys being outdoors and connecting with nature. She also loves to sing and play music, read, bake and be creative, as well as keep in touch with her Alaska family and friends.

Of her MSHF scholarship, Jayme says, “Without the assistance I have received from the MSHF scholarship I most likely would not have been able to seek higher level education. Knowing that my student loan debt will be substantially lower, thanks to the MSHF scholarship, helps set my mind at ease and allows me to focus on what is really important: being the best MSW student I can be!”

Interested in learning more about Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship programs? Click here to register for an upcoming virtual MSHF Scholarship Info Session!

Elizabeth is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in nursing at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She was drawn to this particular program by the many opportunities for hands-on experience such as lab classes, simulations and practicums. After completing her program, Elizabeth says she plans “to gain valuable experience in the medical-surgical unit before pursuing my passion for travel nursing.”

Her best study tip is to utilize a planner for all assignments and important dates – even personal plans! She says, “Taking things one assignment, one exam, one lecture, one day at a time is a helpful mindset to cope with the responsibility of nursing school.” Outside of school, Elizabeth enjoys anything that involves being active outside like hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, fishing or rock climbing. She says, “It’s enjoyable to do these activities with friends from the nursing cohort.”

Of her MSHF scholarship, Elizabeth says, “The MSHF scholarship has brought me a sense of confidence in myself and education that I never had before. It motivates me to challenge myself to reach higher goals in my own life.”

Interested in learning more about Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship programs? Click here to register for an upcoming virtual MSHF Scholarship Info Session!

Dana is enrolled with Health Coach Institute studying to be a Health and Life Coach! This program stood out to her because they offer a dual certificate to be a Health and a Life Coach rather than just one singular focus area. She says, “I believe the two go hand in hand.” After completing her program, Dana plans to start a coaching business in the Mat-Su!

Of her best study tip, Dana says, “With a schedule that keeps me very busy, my best study tip has been to put it on my calendar. Schedule it like it’s an appointment that can’t be missed.” Outside of school, she is a licensed massage therapist, a mother of three grown children and she loves enjoying the beauty of Alaska!

Of her MSHF scholarship, Dana says, “The MSHF Scholarship has allowed me to pursue a desire that I might not otherwise have been able to and I’m very grateful for that!”

Interested in learning more about Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship programs? Click here to register for an upcoming virtual MSHF Scholarship Info Session!

Colleen is pursuing a master’s degree in social work at Walden University and currently works in suicide prevention. She was drawn to the program by being able to help others in so many capacities. She says, “The fact that you can go so many directions with social work and have so many options. My passion is focusing on behavioral health since there is such a need especially in Alaska.”

After completing her degree, Colleen is planning on getting her state licensing for social work and then the sky is the limit! The best study tip she has is to not procrastinate. She says, “I am busy with work and children that whenever I get a free minute is when I need to be getting school work done even if it is not quite due yet.” Outside of school, Colleen enjoys spending time with her children, puppy and the rest of her family over game or movie nights.

Of her MSHF scholarship, Colleen says, “This scholarship has helped me toward achieving my goals because without this, I would not be able to attend school. Alaska needs more social workers to help out in the community and it would not be possible without the Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship. Thank you so much for the generous help and believing in the work that we do!”

Interested in learning more about Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship programs? Click here to register for an upcoming virtual MSHF Scholarship Info Session!

Claire is currently studying communicative sciences and disorders with a minor in human and family development. She says, “For as long as I can remember, I have loved kids and taking care of them but never felt led to be a teacher. Becoming a speech language pathologist, I am able to work with kids who are experiencing speech or intellectual delays, or victims of a stroke or traumatic brain injury and regaining motor skills.”

After completing school, Claire hopes to work in an elementary school or private practice. Her best study tip is to incorporate something active while studying! She says, “My favorite way to study is going on a walk while looking through my flashcards or running on the treadmill and watching a video for one of my classes.” Outside of school, Claire enjoys hiking, skiing and painting.

Of her Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship, Claire says, “MSHF has helped me immensely these past two years while I pay for school not only financially, but knowing I have a huge support system back home cheering me on.”

Interested in learning more about Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship programs? Click here to register for an upcoming virtual MSHF Scholarship Info Session!