Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program celebrates record-breaking year, honors university graduates.

The Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) celebrated the largest-ever graduating class of its Acceleration Academy opportunity, including graduates from the Mat-Su Borough: Amilia Bowles, Jaxon Koerber, Grey Phillips, Aden Burch, and Remington Bowles.

ANSEP celebrated its largest-ever graduating class of full-time Acceleration Academy students. Fifty-two students from the Matanuska-Susitna, Anchorage, Bethel, and statewide campuses earned their high school diplomas this past weekend, a 60% increase in its graduating class compared to 2023.

They also earned an impressive total of 3,336 college credits earned for free as ANSEP Acceleration Academy students. In addition to its high school graduates, there are 10 ANSEP University Success graduates this May, 7 of whom graduated with their bachelor’s degree and 3 with their master’s degree. This is the tenth year for the ANSEP University Success program.

ANSEP’s Acceleration Academy began as a summer initiative for high school students to earn college credits at no cost, and it has since expanded to include a full-time, academic-year opportunity that continues to grow year over year. The 2024 class of full-time Acceleration Academy graduates is 60% larger than the last year’s graduating class — showing ANSEP’s continued success in expanding academic opportunities to more and more Alaskans.

In Acceleration Academy, students fulfill their high school graduation requirements through college coursework completed throughout the academic year. The average Acceleration Academy graduate begins their undergraduate degree with completed credits similar to those of a college junior, effectively bypassing two years of college courses and associated tuition costs.

Students who participate in Acceleration Academy throughout all four years of high school can go from eighth grade to a bachelor’s degree in just five years. This helps students and their families save over $75,000 in college costs, and state, local and federal governments spend only one third of the cost they would normally expend for a student to earn a degree at the University of Alaska.

“It has been incredible to witness the remarkable growth of our Acceleration Academy opportunity over the years. The program has evolved from a five-week summer opportunity to now celebrating our largest full-time graduating class ever in communities around the state,” said ANSEP Executive Director Dr. Matt Calhoun. “We know the quality education they receive will make an enormous impact in their lives, and so will the significant savings of earning dozens of college credits for free in high school, which is the case for most of these students.”

Acceleration Academy is designed to advance the academic progress of high school students, prepare them for the demands of college coursework, and position them for success in STEM fields, but it also fosters social and professional skills.

Graduates of ANSEP’s Acceleration Academy from this year include:

Anchorage: Aaron Hampton, Abbie Toro, Aiden Scott, Ainsley Healy, Daniel Smith, Dirk Warren, Ethan Williams, Jacob Whitt, Jahira Towner, Jason Kyle, Jessica Noden-Bocatch, Julia Lowe, Kaleb Robustellini, Katherine Weinberger, Kiya Frey, Leena Edais, Lucas Rogers, Madison Lea, Noah Blackwell, Oliver Tyrrell, Toni (Logan) Bush, Yeredic Nadal Pabon, Zebadiah Sandstrom, Zoe Lewis

Bethel: Adeline Perry, Allie Alexie, Anna Howard, Drini Pellumbi, Emma Daniel, Jordan Klejka, Leah Valadez, Maya Komulainen, Shania Flemings, Vjosa Pellumbi

Statewide: Christian Naea (Eagle River), Liam Evans (Dillingham), Lion Trejo (Homer), Nolan Boehme (Soldotna), Valen “Winnie” Lee (Bethel)

University Success: Catilynn Hanna, Master of Science in Civil Engineering; Chad Woods, Bachelor of Science in Geological Science; Clifton Terwilliger, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science & Mathematics; Gabriel Abdelnoor, Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences; Janelle Sharp, Master of Science in Geoscience; Jonathan Ruepong, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science; Justin Maxwell, Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting; Kai Iverson, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science; Lauryn Yates, Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences; Randall Friendly, Master of Science in Wildlife Biology

ANSEP is part of the University of Alaska system, focusing on providing an excellent education and a life of unlimited possibilities for every Alaskan. Beginning in kindergarten, ANSEP’s sequential model continues through high school and into undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs, allowing students to succeed at rates far exceeding national numbers. With ANSEP’s academic year Acceleration Academy component, students can go from eighth grade to earning a bachelor’s degree in five years.

Any student enrolled in ninth, 10th, 11th or 12th grade in Alaska is eligible to apply and participate in Acceleration Academy. Elementary, middle, high school and university students across Alaska who are interested in participating in ANSEP can learn more about the opportunities available by visiting www.ANSEP.net.