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Steve Johnson, Director of Forensics  Professor Johnson has been involved in competitive debating for over 20 years and believes fervently in the power of academic debating to change people's lives. Professor Johnson has held a variety of leadership positions in academic debating. He was the first president of the National Parliamentary Debate Association, the largest intercollegiate debating organization in the US. He is active in international debating and currently serves as the Secretary for the World Universities Debating Council. He has been involved with the Chinese English language debating championships since 2004; and has served as the Chief Adjudicator for the past four rounds of that tournament. Teams coached by Professor Johnson have enjoyed a great deal of competitive success. In 2002, a Seawolf Debate team won the US National Championships. In January of 2007, a team from the University of Alaska prevailed over 320 teams from around the world to reach the Semifinal round of the World Universities Debating Championships. |
Shawn Briscoe, Debate Coach  A self-professed debate addict, Shawn is a 1998 graduate of the US Air Force Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in political science. While at the Academy, he competed in both policy debate and extemporaneous speaking, and he was named a Cross Examination Debate Association (CEDA) All American debater in 1998. After graduation, Shawn served on active duty in the US Air Force for 6 years. He earned a Master of Arts in international relations from the University of Oklahoma in 2004 and a Master of Arts in teaching through the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2007. He has coached high school students to more than 15 national-level awards, including 3rd place finishes in congressional debate at both the Catholic Forensic League national championships and the Tournament of Champions. |
Alana Bellwood (sophomore, economics) Bio Pending |
Nicholas Byrne (currently teaching English in China) 
Long ago, when the team was newly formed, an ancient brief prophesized that one day a young man would arise from the masses and bring a new face to competitive debate. His coming would be heralded by many fantastic and wondrous events and all would recognize him as the chosen one, destined to lead the world into a new era. However, it was not told whether his powers of persuasion would be used to combat the dark side, or instead, to embrace it; The choice would be left unto him. Before you is the picture of the young man that many believe to be the fulfillment of this prophecy, as well as a shameless self-promoter. By supporting the UAA debate team, you can be at the forefront of the revolution unfolding, the revolution that is Nick Byrne. |
Sarah Carpenter (sophomore, international studies)  Bio Pending |
Drew Cason (junior, environment & society)  Bio Pending |
Wiley Cason (freshman)  Wiley Cason is a freshman debater, with a divine mandate to spread the truth. |
Mila Chettfour Bio Pending |
Mya Dale (freshman) Mya is a freshman at the University of Alaska Anchorage and a member of the Honors College. |
Vasilios "Akis" Gialopsos (junior, international studies)  Vasilios "Akis" Gialopsos is currently in his second season as a debater for the Seawolf Debate Team. Akis is a newcomer to debate in general as well as to the British Parliamentary Format that UAA competes in. Introduced to the Debate Team through the annual, intramural Cabin Fever Debate tournament, Akis has continued his affiliation with the program ever since. Akis' current major is in international studies with a minor in communications. |
Colin Haughey (senior, philosophy)  I like debate because it is fun. It is fun because I get to make my point of view known and express myself in creative and fun ways. I really have enjoyed myself while debating and I think that I will continue to like debating as long as it is fun, which it still is for the foreseeable future. I do not believe in the future though, because I thank that you should always live your life in the moment. But if I did believe in the future, I would believe in a future in which debate was fun. I also enjoy listening to music, but not while trying to debate. My favorite debater was Ghandi. I really liked how he could take a stand while often sitting down cross-legged. I also liked how he once said, "you must be the change you wish to see in the world" because it gives me hope. It gives me hope that maybe someday I can be a change for good. I know I can change for good, but is that change permanent? That is the question I consider most while studying philosophy, which is my major. I study a lot of philosophy outside of debate, and some would say that my best friend is Ludwig Wittgenstein, who inspired a lot of debate. My favorite food is pizza. |
Michaela Hernandez (junior, philosophy) 
Michaela Hernandez is a junior at UAA and the USAA President. She is studying philosophy with the intent to continue on to law school. |
Michael Imeson (graduate student, public policy) Bio Pending |
Zac Johnson (junior, aviation technology) Bio Pending |
James Kilcup (junior)  Conceived in a convent; born in the year of our Lord, 1986: I am a practitioner of the nomadic lifestyle within a suburban context. I dislike arguments and people disagreeing with me. I am a masochist. If you are interested in donating, please contact me at (503) 857-7266. |
Jonathon Sanchez (senior, justice/paralegal/psychology)  Bio Pending (pictured at the podium during an exhibition debate) |
Amie Stanley (junior, political science) Bio Pending |
Christy Strong Bio Pending |
Kelsey Waldorf Bio Pending | |
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