by Tracy Stewart
Photo Credit: Bill Roth Alaska Dispatch News
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 Alaska Pacific University. Between and after his degrees he worked for North Star Hospital, Southcentral Foundation Behavioral Health Clinic, The Alaska Primary Care Association and Alaska Family Services; where he is currently the Director of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Programs.
“I think why I get involved in doing what I will do because there is a voice not being heard… that is why I ran for City Council in Wasilla.” Being a “voice of the people may not change the outcome but folks are more aware of actions and consequences. I often get in trouble for pot stirring but I tell people you can’t see what is on the bottom unless you stir it up.” Although David was recently re-elected to the Wasilla City Council he will be resigning from his seat to move to the State Senate.
When asked about APU’s impact he noted, “I think that whole phrase “Active Learning” is what gave me the skills to go out and do something. On the job learning – it is what I enjoyed about APU.” Not a huge fan of traditional education (his words were “I truly, truly, truly hate school”) he acknowledged it was not about earning the degree but what you do with it; “APU teaches you what to do with the piece of paper.”
