My introduction to the Model United Nations of Alaska Program was a political science course with Professor Kimberly Pace. I started as a student-delegate as the Yukaghir People in the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issus (PFII) Committee. 

I was invited to join the Secretariat (leadership role) and became the Co-Director for the PFII Committee in 2022. As one of the Secretariat, I helped run the program with my colleagues and oversaw my committee by chairing. It was an interesting experience since this was my first time acting in a leadership capacity.

Eventually, Professor Pace and the Secretary-General (one of the highest leadership roles) at the time decided I was the best candidate to be the next Secretary-General. I accepted the role and the responsibility that came with it in 2023. With Professor Pace and the President of General Assembly (same level of leadership as the Secretary-General), we made administrative decisions on personnel, high school outreach, and conference operations. Both conferences ended successfully and we maintained the program's core ideals of diplomacy and collaboration.

Model United Nations was a huge influence throughout my time in college. It was something that introduced me to amazing people, improved my communication skills, helped me understand different perspectives, and taught me what it means to be a leader. The program will always hold a close place in my heart and memories. 

PS 492 was a capstone seminar in politics that focused on Winston Churchill's book The River War, a historical account of the reconquest of the Sudan between 1896 and 1899. The course requirements of frequent reading, public speaking, and scholarly writing made this seminar the most difficult academic challenge in my entire time at the University of Alaska Anchorage. 

My senior essay, Foreign Influences and the Reconquest of the Sudan, analyzed the geopolitical situation of the British Empire and sought out to determine how much of a factor other European powers were in the decision to reconquer the Sudan. I read many primary and secondary sources, some of which were official scanned documents from the British Foreign Office between the years of 1890-1896. The final essay was my largest piece of academic work at 5808 words and 13 cited works. 

PS 492A-J01 was the educational component of the Ted Stevens Legislative Internship. Here I had the opportunity to learn more about Alaska-related topics (i.e. politics, government, economics) and develop scholarly skills to contribute to discussions on Alaskan policy. 

My research paper, Federal and State Government Influences on Alaska's Logistical System, evaluated the scope of federal and state influence on Alaska's logistics industry (ex. aviation, marine, railways, and trucking). I conducted research interviews with state legislators and industry experts from different parts of Alaska's logistical industry. Additionally, I read legislation, policies, and regulations from both the state and federal governments relating to logistics.