Student regent Joey Sweet recognized for exceptional service
Last month, Stephen “Joey” Sweet ended his two-year term as the student member of the University of Alaska Board of Regents. The regents recognized his passionate and exceptional service to the board with a resolution of appreciation during the February 28-March 1 meeting.
Sweet was appointed by Gov. Bill Walker to the Board of Regents in June 2017. During his term, Sweet prioritized communication to students, providing both a clarifying voice on policy issues, Strategic Pathways, the university budget and other issues, as well as bringing the student voice and student perspective to the full board during discussions. He also served on the Academic and Student Affairs Committee and the Ad Hoc Committee on Title IX.
Raised in Wasilla, Sweet was a member of the first graduating class from the Mat-Su Career and Technical High School. He enrolled at the University of Alaska Fairbanks to pursue a degree in political science and transferred to the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) to complete his degree. Sweet is a full-time political science graduate student at UAA where he is pursuing his master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in public management.
As an undergraduate student, Sweet was highly involved in UAA campus life and student government. He worked as a resident advisor in the freshman hall and served on the executive board of the Residence Hall Association. He served as the government relations officer for the Union of Students of the University of Alaska Anchorage. He participated in three Model United Nations of Alaska Conferences and was the founder of the UAA Education Club. He also graduated from the UAA’s Emerging Leaders Program.
As a Senator Ted Stevens Legislative Intern, Sweet successfully wrote a Green Fee proposal to install LED lighting in the residence halls at the University of Alaska Anchorage. The project was awarded $30,000, which was enough to install an entire floor of LED lighting. In his spare time, Sweet enjoys true crime podcasts, professional wrestling and discussing politics.