June 4, 2024

Research, workforce development and economic growth news stories and other feature articles from the University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Southeast, University of Alaska System Office and the UA Foundation. Compiled by the University of Alaska System Office of Public Affairs.

University of Alaska Anchorage

New tribal apprenticeship program provides a pathway to certify more local teachers

A new program is working to provide a pathway for education workers in the Arctic and tribal communities around the state to transition into teaching, aiming to produce more local teachers and nurture a more stable learning environment for students.

A Tribal Educator Apprenticeship, developed by the nonprofit Arctic Slope Community Foundation, allows local paraprofessionals — trained aides who support teachers and students — to receive several levels of education, including getting licensed to teach preschool through third grade.

In addition to mentorship and on-the-job training and cultural learning, apprentices will take University of Alaska Anchorage courses, designed for working educators.

Contact: Austin Osborne

Kodiak College to change its Bachelor's of Science in Nursing program

Students staying on the island will no longer be able to directly enroll in a four-year degree. Students will instead have to enroll in two different programs to get a Bachelor’s of Science.

There’s a few ways to become a nurse. Two of the most popular routes are two- and four-year degrees to become a registered nurse, or RN, or obtain a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, called a BSN, respectively.

Kodiak College used to offer both programs as well as a third option – an RN to BSN program. But now they’re only going to offer the latter for the higher degree. Jacelyn Keys is the director of Kodiak College, which is an offshoot of the University of Alaska Anchorage.

“Can you still get a BSN and never have to leave Kodiak? Absolutely. Does that look different than showing up at the college for four years? It does,” she said. “And one of the significant differences is you’re going to be working for the last year or five semesters of your BSN.

Contact: Austin Osborne

University of Alaska Fairbanks

UAF, Toolik Field Station join Arctic climate initiative

The University of Alaska Fairbanks will help host and support a new $15-million federal initiative to better understand the resilience of Arctic organisms and ecosystems amid rapid climate change.

Bringing together experts from 14 institutions, the Evolving Meta-Ecosystems Institute will focus on improving scientific and public understanding of how Arctic ecosystems are responding — and will continue to respond — as their environment shifts. The Arctic is at the forefront of climate change, warming at least three times faster than the global average.

The EvoME Institute will be led by Woodwell Climate Research Center in Massachusetts. The 6-year initiative is being funded by the National Science Foundation.

Contact: Marmian Grimes

University of Alaska Southeast

New University of Alaska Southeast natural sciences building ‘opens to the environment’

The brand new building is called Áakʼw Tá Hít, which translates to House at the Head of the Bay in Lingít. Starting next fall, faculty, researchers, and students in ecology, glaciology, geophysics and more will come together here.

The 16.1 million dollar construction project was funded with money from the university’s existing budget, along with reserves for building renewal and profits from the sale of the University bookstore building.

The project has been in the works since 2016, though COVID-19 pandemic delayed construction. But now, the two-story with modern gray wood paneling is nearly ready for people to move in.

Contact: Angie Steeves

Bill adding more Indigenous languages to Alaska’s official list heads to governor

A version of the bill, sponsored by Juneau Rep. Andi Story, was approved by the Senate and then OK’d by the House last week. It was originally passed in the House last year. Now it heads to the governor.

The bill also expands and renames the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council. The council advocates to promote the survival and revitalization of Indigenous languages in the state. It will now be called the Council for Alaska Native Language. 

In testimony earlier this year, the chairman of the council, X̱ʼunei Lance Twitchell, said he supports the bill and argued Indigenous languages need to be a bigger priority for the state. Twichell teaches Alaska Native languages at the University of Alaska Southeast. 

“Alaska Native languages are the oldest living resource in Alaska,” he said. “These languages are older than the trees, they’re older than some of the rocks, and none of us are qualified to make the decision that they should not exist anymore.”

Contact: Angie Steeves

UA System Office

House Bill 148 broadly passed the Legislature on the final day of the legislative session. The measure would boost the maximum amount of an Alaska Performance Scholarship from $4,755 to $7,000 per year and expand the program's eligibility qualifications.

Meanwhile, the university s Board of Regents voted unanimously on Thursday to raise the UA Scholars Award from $12,000 to $15,000 the first increase since 2016. The award is offered to the top 10% of Alaska high school students to then study at the University of Alaska, or its community colleges.

Alaskan students eligible for both programs could soon get up to $1,500 more per semester to study in state.

Both scholarships are paid from funds expected to be able to absorb the higher awards.

Contact: Jonathon Taylor

UA System "Did You Know?"

For more information on the UA Newswire, contact Integrated Media Manager Rebecca Lawhorne at ralawhorne@alaska.edu.