Business

Meet APU’s New Fall 2020 Faculty

Get to know the 10 new faculty members joining us this fall, including a few who started their own academic journeys right here at APU. Nathan Anderson, M.S., Visiting Instructor of Environmental Science—Nathan will be teaching geomorphology and physics this fall. He recently received his master’s degree in Earth Sciences from Dartmouth College, and his thesis involved research in the Rwenzo...

Spring 2018 Grads: Jake Behnke

Programs completed at APU: BA in Outdoor Studies with a minor in Environmental Policy Project Title and what it entails: My senior project is titled “Creating an Energy Portfolio for Alaska Pacific University.” In it, I looked at APU’s current carbon emissions through electricity, natural gas, and campus vehicle fuel usage. I also analyzed our carbon sequestration between main campus and ...

Stirring The Pot

by Tracy Stewart Alaska State Senator-Elect David Wilson (’04 & ’08) is not a man who shies away from service, or from speaking up. While at APU he earned an AA in Education and a BA in Psychology in 2004 and an MBA in Health Service Administration in 2008.  He was elected to many roles at APU including: Freshman Representative, Vice Chair and Chair of the Associated Students of Alas...

On The Move

By Peter Kling “We have a glacier where we ski twice a day during camps and you get there by flying in a helicopter.” Sold. I called my parents and casually mentioned to them I may be going to school in Alaska. “We can talk about it when you get home” was their reply. Eagle Glacier- nestled high in the Chugach Mountains with peaks towering above its belly, I was intimidated beyond...

Alaska’s Business Leaders – Jason Metrokin, President & CEO of BBNC (Part 3 of 3)

By Aaron Tooyak Alaska has seen drastic changes in its economic composition through Alaska Native Corporations created pursuant the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971. 44 years later, these vibrant businesses are thriving in the hands of talented, hard working people. Thankfully, APU has our MBA program to help educate and prepare leaders to keep up with the advancing demands of ...

Alumni Spotlight Yanina Valinske

By Miriam Mezzetti Yanina (Yana) Valinske graduated from APU's accounting program in 2010 and is already excelling at her career in banking! She is currently an HR specialist in payroll and benefits at First National Bank of Alaska. Yana loved studying at APU and truly believes in the active learning approach, noting that her education helped prepare her for a real life career. "The active learni...

Alaska’s Business Leaders, Sharon Thompson – Executive Director for ASCF (Part 1 of 3)

By Aaron Tooyak Sharon Thompson (’01) graduated with her Bachelor’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in Organizational Management. She also holds an Associates of Arts degree, where she focused on Micro Computer Support, from Chemeketa Community College. Now, Sharon is the Executive Director of the Arctic Slope Community Foundation (ASCF), a non-profit organization dedicated to pro...

Alumni Spotlight: Nathan Van der Most lives and teaches abroad

By Aaron Tooyak Settle oneself abroad, the definition of expatriate (expat). We hear stories of students coming from another country to study in the United States, but what about our graduates who cross the ocean to teach in another country? APU alumni, Nathan Van Der Most (’09) is one of these expats who settled himself abroad in Hanoi, Vietnam where he now teaches English. Prior to Vietnam...

Alumni Spotlight: A Success Summit – Dustin English and VOORMI

By Aaron Tooyak One out of two new businesses fail. APU alumna Dustin English is among the winners of today’s outdoor apparel industry and his success can be threaded back to APU’s educational structures. Dustin graduated in 2009 with his Bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Studies (OS). Now, he is the Director of Product Integrity of the outdoor apparel brand, VOORMI – a lead innovator of ...

Alumna Jennifer John on the cover of Alaska Beyond Magazine

APU Alumna Jennifer John was recently featured on the cover of Alaska Beyond, the Alaska Airlines Magazine! Joining the APU community allowed Jennifer to complete her MBA. In her words, "I returned to APU to complete my MBA with a full-time job my son in one arm and my laptop in the other. Thanks to the strong support at APU, we-my cohort of MBA peers-did it…we all graduated.” We congratulate ...

The Tooyaks

by Aaron Tooyak I hunt. I gather. I use what I have to obtain what I need. I crawl, hugging the ground, and focus. Keeping my eye on the prize. My father walked the tundra as recreation – foot mileage. His father did the same. He taught me which way to go, and I follow his knowledge. He memorized the directions from his father. “You’re going to school”, my father said. He said the s...

APU programs attract Alaska Native leaders who shape the state’s economy

APU is helping shape the future of our state by including top-ranked Alaska Native executives among our graduates. Leaders who earned their degrees at Alaska Pacific University include heads of corporations in nearly every corner of Alaska. “Our students asked for relevant, rigorous coursework to position them to become second-generation leaders,” said University President Don Bantz. “...

We’re Tyrrells. We’re strong.

On the face of it, Emily Tyrrell is the Girl With the Most Cake. Barely into her 30’s, Emily is the Director of Sustainability at First Alaskans Institute, an Anchorage non-profit dedicated to advancement of Alaska Natives. Tyrrell holds a BA in Journalism and Public Communications from UAA and an Executive MBA in Strategic Leadership from Alaska Pacific University. She is warm, open, friendly a...

Desiree Disotell

Undergraduate Degree My undergraduate degree is in Organizational Management from APU. I finished here in Alaska after attending University of Idaho majoring in French. Employment National Wildlife Federation Career Goals I would like to continue my education by either obtaining a law degree or pursuing employment that utilizes the “softer skills” I have learned in the MBA program such as...

Art Toumanik

Graduate Degree MBA in Telecommunications Management. Employment My previous employer was GCI (worked as a programmer) before I started my graduate degree at APU. Currently I am just going to school full-time. Career Goals Receive a master’s degree from APU and find a career that would utilize my new skills and education. Why APU APU was the only university in Alaska that offered a MBA in...

Michael Orr

Undergraduate Degree BA Economics cum laude, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 1998 Employment Director of Development, Alaska Village Initiatives 2001 – 2003 Commercial Relationship Associate, National Bank of Alaska 1998 – 2001 Career Goals To develop my skills in project financing. Why APU APU has a reputation for focusing on individual learning needs. Additionally, the school attracts...

Lisa Phillips

Undergraduate Degree B.S. Textiles Management Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA Employment Alaska Communications Systems Career Goals My career goal is to develop my role in the Alaskan telecommunication industry as a strategic and decision making participant. The M.B.A in Telecommunications strengthens my regulatory background and positions me in the telecommunications industry to...

Pat Johnson

Undergraduate Degree Organizational Management from APU Employment I am the Vice President of Finance and Administration for Rise Alaska, LLC, a program/construction management firm. Current projects include the Ted Stevens International Airport and the Anchorage Museum expansion. Previous projects include the Alaska SeaLife Center, the Kodiak Launch Complex and the new Anchorage Jail. Career ...