A Seawolf leading public relations in Alaska

Heather Marron, B.B.A. Management and Marketing '09, is one of countless success stories to come out of UAA. She earned not one, but two degrees from UAA, holds a leadership position at an Alaska company and frequently returns to campus to cheer on the Seawolves.

Marron is the first to admit that she didn't expect to finish her degree at UAA. Like many longtime Alaskans, she intended to use college to explore the world beyond Alaska. "I thought going away to college was what I was supposed to do," she recalls. The plan was to complete her freshman year at UAA to make the best of her in-state scholarships, then transfer out of state to a different university. Instead, she fell in love with UAA and the city around it.

Marron lived on campus for her freshman year and shared a dorm with her best friend. She also played intramural volleyball, recalling that it was a great way to meet people. Living on campus and staying involved in a sport she loved made UAA feel like home, and she says many of her favorite memories were made during that freshman year.

Today, Marron is the senior manager of corporate communications at Alaska Communications, handling internal and external communications, community relations, social media and supporting crisis communication. She's also the 2026 president of the Alaska Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). PRSA is a nationwide network of communication and public relations professionals, focused on supporting and advancing members of their field across the country.

UAA directly influenced Marron's career path. In her junior year, one of her professors encouraged his students to volunteer at a large event, calling it a great opportunity to meet potential employers. Marron agreed to volunteer and met the communications director of the company hosting the event, which led to an internship. All these years later, Marron works for the same communications director at Alaska Communications!

Her advice for students is twofold: First, make it a priority to get involved and start building relationships early. This could look like attending networking events or joining groups like PRSA. Second, don't be afraid to reach out and find a mentor who can help you with professional and personal development.

Marron has come back to campus many times since graduating. She tried her hand at a hockey class hosted by UAA, then started attending UAA volleyball games. She typically goes to several volleyball games each year and recently started bringing her daughter. She's also returned twice as a guest speaker for the journalism and public communications program.

Though UAA may not have been her initial plan for college, Marron wouldn't change a thing. "Looking back, what started as a backup plan became one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I've made it my unofficial mission to share how positive my experience was and encourage other students to consider UAA."