The UAA Office of Alumni and Community Engagement and the UAA Alumni Association are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025-26 UAA Alumni of Distinction awards. These three distinguished UAA alumni will be honored for their outstanding contributions in their chosen fields and communities at the university’s annual Alumni of Distinction Celebration on Thursday, March 26 at the Fine Arts Building Recital Hall on UAA’s Anchorage campus.

Alumni of Achievement
Deborah Morton 
A.A. General Program ’00, B.A. Sociology ’02, M.Ed. Counseling and Guidance '05
Recruiting, Placement and Mentor Section Supervisor, Alaska Military Youth Academy

Deborah (Deb) Morton has dedicated more than 25 years to supporting Alaska’s youth through leadership, mentorship and program development. After earning her B.A. and M.Ed., she began a career focused on empowering young people, including roles with the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Alaska Military Youth Academy (AMYA). At AMYA, Morton helped develop training standards and best practices adopted by National Guard Youth Challenge Programs nationwide, earning recognition as a subject matter expert and national trainer. Her work has strengthened youth development programs across Alaska and the country, while directly impacting the lives of young people seeking stability and opportunity. Morton’s contributions have earned statewide and national recognition, including the Alaska Journal of Commerce Achievement in Business Award, the Office of the Secretary of Defense Patriotic Employer Award and the State of Alaska Commendation Medal. Read more >>

Alumni Humanitarian
Maile Johnston
B.A. Biological Sciences ’21
Law Clerk, Alaska Supreme Court 

Maile Johnston is a lifelong Alaskan and proud UAA graduate whose leadership and service have made a lasting impact across the state. While at UAA, she earned the Honors College Dean Award and the Claudia Lampman Award for Student Excellence, recognizing her academic achievement and campus involvement. She later served as Miss Alaska, using her platform to advocate for foster youth while earning various honors, including the Miss America Academic Achievement Award and the Act of Kindness Award. Johnston has dedicated her career to supporting vulnerable populations, working as a direct service advocate for survivors of domestic violence and as a court-appointed special advocate for children in foster care. After earning her J.D. from the University of Michigan, she returned home to serve as a clerk for the Alaska State Supreme Court. Read more >> 

Alumni Emerging Leader
Vladislav Finko 
B.B.A. Finance and Marketing ’20, M.B.A. General Management ’23
Marketing Strategist, Alaska Wealth Advisors

Vladislav (Vlad) Finko exemplifies the impact of a UAA education, translating academic achievement into professional success and meaningful community investment. After earning his M.B.A. and B.B.A., Finko helped drive transformative growth at Alaska Wealth Advisors, where his strategic marketing initiatives contributed nearly $150 million in new assets in 2025 and helped the firm surpass $1 billion under management. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Finko remains deeply committed to expanding opportunities for others. He helped establish a new scholarship program for University of Alaska students and, as Alaska Region Lead for Women in ETFs, has connected UAA students with the heads of global financial institutions. His leadership also extends statewide through his service with the Anchorage Chamber’s Young Professionals Group, where he champions workforce development and civic engagement. Read more >>

For more information, contact the Office of Alumni and Community Engagement at 907-786-1701 or seawolf.forever@alaska.edu, or visit uaa.alaska.edu/alumni.