March 10 -14 UAF Spring Break
March 12 RAHI Alumni Reunion in Anchorage, register here
March 14 UAF Paid Holiday
March 17 St. Patrick's Day
March 19 Holly Wofford book launch, RSS Gathering Room, 11 a.m - 1 p.m.
March 22 Campus Preview Day, Usibelli Building, 9 a.m - 4 p.m.
The Rural Alaska Honors Institute (RAHI) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is honored to announce it has been awarded a grant from The Alaska Community Foundation (ACF). This funding will support RAHI and its mission to empower rural and Alaska Native students to achieve their dreams through higher education.
RAHI provides a transformative six-week summer program where high school students can earn up to 10 college credits, develop essential academic skills, and build a supportive community that lasts beyond the program. Offered at no cost to students, the program recognizes the achievements of rural Alaskan students and provides them with a solid foundation for their next steps in higher education.
This grant will directly support RAHI’s 2025 program, running from May 27 to July 11. Specifically, it will fund the process technology program, where students will gain hands-on experience with industry equipment, learn about quality management and safety protocols, and explore career opportunities in Alaska’s resource industries.
"We’re so grateful to The Alaska Community Foundation for their generous support,” said Brianna Pauling, RAHI Program Manager. “This grant helps us keep RAHI strong and makes it possible for rural Alaskan students to get a head start in college, build their confidence, and take that next step toward their future and Alaska’s."
The Alaska Community Foundation is committed to improving the quality of life for Alaskans through philanthropy. They support a wide range of initiatives that address critical needs and create opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive.
RAHI relies on the support of individuals, corporations, and foundations to continue its vital work. To learn more about RAHI and how you can contribute, please visit www.uaf.edu/rah or call (907) 474-5876.
Asia Fee, Content Creation Program Coordinator for the College of Indigenous Studies Interior Alaska Campus, was nominated for three prestigious awards at the 2024 Empowering Women in Industry Conference in New Orleans. The conference, held on October 10, 2024, gathered women from male-dominated industries for a day of inspiration, leadership, and empowerment, culminating in an Awards Gala and Industry Fashion Show.
Asia, who joined UAF's Interior Alaska Campus in August 2024, brings a wealth of experience to her role. Previously based in Valdez, she has a decorated background as a chemist and content creator, with a strong focus on serving marginalized communities, particularly Native American, Latinx, and Hispanic women in STEM. Her work with nonprofits has earned recognition for its dedication to promoting women and historically underrepresented groups in science and technology.
In her new role at UAF, Asia is committed to reaching rural communities across Alaska, sharing her expertise in content creation, and inspiring the next generation of Alaskan leaders. Her nominations at the Empowering Women in Industry Conference further highlight her exceptional contributions and her ongoing efforts to support and uplift others, particularly women in historically underrepresented industries.
Asia's achievements are a testament to her passion for education and empowerment, and her work will continue to positively impact aspiring Alaskans across diverse fields.
Asia will be hosting a virtual panel under IAC's Content Creation Program on Friday, April 4th, at 1 p.m. featuring Alaskan and Alaska Native content creators. This event is open to the community and all UAF campuses. A registration form is available here for interested guests to submit and receive a link to the event.
Assistant Professor of English at the Bristol Bay Campus, Kathy Kysar, teaches two writing courses at UAF, WRTG F111x and WRTG F211x, that offer students the opportunity to explore food sovereignty through writing. These courses focus on how food is intricately tied to culture, history, and Indigenous self-determination. Through research, storytelling, and policy analysis, students learn how writing can serve as a tool for advocacy, elevating Indigenous voices in discussions about food justice and environmental responsibility.
"Writing courses offer a space where advocacy, storytelling, and critical analysis come together to ensure that Indigenous foodways - and the knowledge they carry - continue to thrive for generations to come."
Food sovereignty in these courses goes beyond the concept of food - it’s about reclaiming traditional knowledge, protecting ecosystems, and ensuring Indigenous foodways thrive for future generations. By integrating Indigenous storytelling traditions and promoting critical thinking, these courses help students develop essential writing and advocacy skills that honor and support the sustainability of Indigenous communities.
Supported by the Alaska Native-Serving and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Education Competitive Grants Program, these courses offer tuition assistance to eligible students.
These courses are available every fall and spring, with a special summer session focusing on the intersection of climate change and food sovereignty.
Upcoming Course Offering: Summer 2025
WRTG F111x: Writing Across Contexts - Food Sovereignty: Reading Climate, Writing Change
May 19 – August 8
Online with Zoom meetings
For more information, read Kathy's full article here.
On January 16th, three reindeer herders from Savoonga traveled to Finland to explore advanced reindeer husbandry and meat processing practices. Representing the Savoonga Reindeer Commercial Company (SRCC), they visited state-of-the-art facilities, including Kometos, to gain insights into commercial reindeer meat production. This journey aligns with the community’s long-term vision of establishing a USDA-approved reindeer meat processing plant on St. Lawrence Island—a project supported by multiple partners, including UAF Northwest Campus, Kawerak, and the Alaska Small Business Development Center.
“They (the Sami reindeer herders) are more active in commercial reindeer husbandry than we are. Interacting with them gave us a better understanding of the specifics and function of the processing units,” stated herders Richmond Toolie, Freeman Kingeekuk and Michael Kralik.
UAF Northwest Campus played a key role in laying the groundwork for this initiative, offering High Latitude Range Management courses that helped develop the business plan. Faculty and staff continue to support Savoonga’s efforts, recognizing reindeer husbandry as a vital part of Indigenous food security and economic development.
“Reindeer have, for a long time, been a big part of Savoonga’s livelihood,” said Savoonga’s Tribal Council President Bengamin Pungowiyi. “This (business venture) is for the youth of St Lawrence Island. They will be the ones running it in the coming years.”
With funding from an Economic Development Administration grant and collaboration with Norton Sound Economic Development Corporation, the plant will enhance local food security and create economic opportunities for Savoonga’s future generations.
Read the full article here: Kawerak - From Herding to Harvesting
