Security through synthesis

One of the most enduring metaphors for America is the melting pot - a place where different experiences, identities and specialties come together to create something much stronger than any element alone. For Lt. Cmdr. Sam Krakower, interdisciplinary studies graduate and graduate student hooding ceremony speaker for the spring Class of 2026, that metaphor reflects both his academic journey and professional path.

Born and raised in southern New Jersey, Krakower's educational path began at the United States Coast Guard Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in government while also commissioning as a Coast Guard officer. In the early days of active duty, he gained experience at sea and in leadership, including commanding a fast response cutter in Key West, Florida, navigating the nation's sole heavy polar icebreaker from Seattle to Antarctica, and participating in a congressional fellowship that deepened his understanding of policymaking. These experiences ultimately positioned him for an advanced education assignment at UAA focused on Arctic policy and security, which aligns with the Coast Guard's growing strategic interest in the region. Krakower is the second Coast Guardsman ever to receive this assignment.

The Arctic security program Krakower pursued is interdisciplinary by design, as the region's challenges cannot be viewed through a single lens. Security concerns in the Arctic intersect with environmental change, economic development, Indigenous sovereignty and shifting geopolitics, and his coursework and research reflect this complexity by drawing from multiple schools and disciplines.

"The best thing [about this program] has been the freedom to pursue different classes from different schools, and getting different interpretations of why the Arctic matters from educators who are engaged, active and just love to teach," said Krakower.

Illustrating the benefits of the interdisciplinary model is Krakower's newfound understanding of Indigenous perspectives. Exposure to Alaska Native Studies challenged him to consider Arctic security not only as a strategic or operational issue, but as one rooted in the lived experiences of people who have inhabited the region for generations.

"In the military, you don't always think about the Indigenous side of things," said Krakower. "Every class I went through had some nexus to Indigenous populations that have lived in the Arctic for thousands of years, and that's such a crucial part that needs to be consistently understood. There's tangible, reciprocal benefits from working in a security nexus with Indigenous populations and ensuring that they're part of the conversation."

Central to Krakower's research is a comparative analysis of maritime choke points, particularly the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom (GIUK) Gap and the Bering Strait. Historically, the GIUK Gap has played a critical role in defense and trade. Krakower's work explores how lessons from that strategic corridor might inform approaches to safeguarding U.S. and Alaska interests in the Arctic and contribute to more informed policy decisions and operational strategies.

As the graduate student hooding ceremony speaker, Krakower hopes to use the moment to underscore the shared accomplishments of his fellow graduates. Despite each student's path being uniquely shaped by different professional experiences and personal situations, the completion of advanced study represents a collective achievement, regardless of discipline. It is in that sense that the melting pot metaphor resonates not only with his own journey, but with the diverse experiences represented within the graduating class.

Looking ahead, Krakower will serve as the operations officer on the Coast Guard's newest icebreaker, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis. Once onboard, he will apply his academic insights to real-world missions in the Arctic. His long-term goal is to continue contributing to operations, research and policy that help clarify the strategic importance of the region to audiences beyond Alaska, fostering a greater awareness of the Arctic's role in national and global security.

"Most folks in the Lower 48 don't understand the importance of us being an Arctic nation," said Krakower. "These programs are extremely helpful in communicating why the Arctic matters and why Alaska matters, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to immediately give back to this great state."