RAHI kicks off its 39th summer

June 1, 2021

University Relations

On June 1, the Rural Alaska Honors Institute will welcome 58 students representing 37 Alaska communities to UAF’s Troth Yeddha’ Campus for its 39th annual summer program. This year’s theme is “Rise Up," a nod to overcoming challenges youth face.

RAHI is a six-week summer program for rural Alaska and Alaska Native high school juniors and seniors. Students take up to 11 college credits, experience life on campus, and participate in recreation activities. To date, 1,752 students have graduated from the program and have gone on to earn over 1,204 credentials ranging from certificates to Ph.D.s.

Lillian “Jing” O’Brien, Hailey Wilson and James Vuong take samples at Tanana Lakes as part of a RAHI research project in 2019. UAF photo by JR Ancheta.
Lillian “Jing” O’Brien, Hailey Wilson and James Vuong take samples at Tanana Lakes as part of a RAHI research project in 2019. UAF photo by JR Ancheta.


The 2021 RAHI students will take a handful of core classes and will specialize in research, rural education, chemistry, business, process technology or math. A new component also gives students the option to explore courses like Introduction to Health Careers, Human Anatomy and Physiology, and Sociology. The courses were made possible by the Tanana Chiefs Conference GO program, which encourages high school students to pursue a career in a health-related field.

For more information about RAHI, email Brianne Pauling at bpaulin1@alaska.edu.