Rural Alaska Honors Institute Looking for Students for its 21st Year

Submitted by Kasey Gillam
Phone: (907) 474-7581
12/20/02

The Rural Alaska Honors Institute, a bridging program designed to help Alaska Native students succeed in college, is looking for high school juniors and seniors from Alaska villages. The six-week summer residency at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is a program in UAF’s College of Rural Alaska and prepares students for the many challenges of college life by sharpening academic and coping skills. Students live in a UAF campus residence hall staffed by full-time tutor counselors and register for 8 to 10 credits of university courses.

"The credits earned count toward degree requirements down the road," said Jim Kowalsky, RAHI program director. "But it’s the overall experience that really counts. RAHI students tend to be successful college students."

As of last summer RAHI alumni have earned 97 baccalaureate degrees, 38 associate degrees, 18 certificates, four masters degrees, five law degrees and one medical degree.

"Many more are in the pipeline," said Kowalsky. "Some will finish degrees this month, more next spring and beyond. We’re extremely proud of them."

The program helps build a life-long community of scholars and supportive friendships, meeting social and academic challenges during the summer residency. Tentative 2003 courses include writing for college, study skills, pre-calculus, Alaska Native psychology, chemistry, Native dance and swimming. An aeronautical engineering course is under exploration.

Money to pay for travel, tuition, room, board, books and supplies are awarded to those selected to attend. Many program alumni are in Alaska’s professional work force employed in the public and private sectors.

Interested students need at least a 3.0 grade point average. The application deadline is March 15, 2003, earlier than in past years. Program dates are May 31 - July 12, 2003, one week later than recent years. Applications may be downloaded: RAHI website, obtained from school counselors, by contacting RAHI at (800) 478-6886 or e-mail uaf-rahi@alaska.edu.

RAHI was founded in 1983 at the request of the Alaska Federation of Natives.

CONTACT: Jim Kowalsky, RAHI director at (907) 474-6886 or e-mail:uaf-rahi@alaska.edu.