Karo is pursuing a Doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Karo says, “I’ve wanted to become a pharmacist since high school. I love science and wanted to use that passion to go into a career where I could help people, healthcare!”
After completing her program, Karo would like to work in rural Alaska helping underserved populations as a fellow Alaskan. Her best study tip is, “Treat school like it’s a 9-5 job. No playtime until you’re done with your worktime.” Outside of school, Karo enjoys beings outside, running along the coastal trail in Anchorage or cross-country skiing at Kincaid park.
Of her Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship, Karo says, “It’s significantly helped pay off my undergraduate and now graduate education. It’s also offset the amount of student loans I have had to take out. This scholarship was the only one I got this year for my most expensive year of post-secondary education yet.”
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Braden attends the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and is pursuing a DDS with an expected graduation in spring of 2025. He says, “Working at a dental clinic with a dentist who was a Colony High graduate opened my eyes to how in a few meaningful hours of work, a dentist can create radical change for his community. Not only is dentistry oral healthcare, but it impacts patients’ confidence, self-image, and many other areas of their health, along with helping build the community.” Braden chose the UMSoD program because “it has been the top ranked program for multiple years and specifically focus on making sure students do rotations across the state and give the opportunity to serve overseas.” He believes it is important to not self-impose limits with the “I am just a student” mentallity, and that one can always make a difference.
Alyssa attends Yakima Valley College and is majoring in nursing. She says, “I have always wanted to be in the healthcare field, just what part of it was always the question though.” After she completes the program, Alyssa wants to get her BSN and then dive into work.
Sarah is working on her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Creighton University. She says, “I love that a career occupational therapy gives me the unique opportunity to enable people across the lifespan who have been affected by illness, injury, or disability do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of activities.”
Moriah is in the Master of Nursing Practice program at Frontier Nursing University and plans to pursue a Doctorate of Nursing Practice once she completes this degree. She chose this particular program because it’s mostly based online and she only needs to visit the campus in Kentucky for one week out of the year. She says, “I enjoy the flexibility of being able to work full-time as a nurse here in Alaska and go to a top rated school with an affordable program.”
Kailey is working toward an MD at Yale School of Medicine. She says she was drawn to the program because, “The environment at Yale is very inclusive, and they have opportunities to pursue essentially anything you may be interested in.” Kailey is hoping to work in rural primary care once she graduates as she wants to help reduce the disparity in primary care in those areas.
Desiree Hacker is studying nursing at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She says she was drawn to the program because she loves people and, even more, loves to help people! Desiree plans on working as a nurse in corrections, a recovery center or as a nurse in the beauty industry once she completes her program.
Corrina is a 2019 BSW graduate of UAA and a Udall Scholar Alumna. She chose the UAA School of Social Work because the staff and faculty there are passionate and dedicated to creating unique and individual experiences for all students. She hopes to continue to work to increase resources and support for Indigenous families navigating the child welfare system in the Mat-Su and across the state.