ANSEP graduation marks 31 years of student achievement

For many students in the Mat-Su Borough, graduation is still a few months away. But for the students of the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP), graduation came early for students from the Mat-Su Borough, Anchorage, and around the state on January 31.

ANSEP is a longitudinal educational program that supports Alaska Native students from middle school through graduate school in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, aiming to increase Alaska Native representation in these careers.

This year, the students from the Mat-Su graduating the Full-time Acceleration Academy are: Kyanh Bitancor, Kylen Bitancor, Ayden Erickson, Wyatt Guidry, Destiny Hand, and Miracle Hand

This year marks the 31st anniversary of ANSEP, celebrating more than three decades of expanding opportunity and supporting Alaska students in achieving academic and career success.

The celebration featured keynote speaker D.J. Varnas, an acclaimed speaker and bestselling author known for applying Indigenous warrior principles to leadership, resilience and service. Drawing on Indigenous teachings, military experience and personal perseverance, Varnas shared insights on leadership, purpose and overcoming challenges, messages that certainly align closely with ANSEP’s mission to prepare students to lead and succeed.

To kick off ANSEP Celebration, students across its programs participated in a daytime session with Varnas. Students were able to speak with, ask questions, and learn from his experience as a leader, speaker and former U.S. Air Force officer. Participants included students from the Matanuska-Susitna Valley and Anchorage, Middle School and Acceleration Academy high school students from around the state, University Success students, as well as alumni.

On Friday evening, the ANSEP community gathered at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center for a Celebration honoring 31 years of its impact in education. In addition to Varnas’ keynote address, the event spotlighted students whose hard work has made their dreams a reality, while recognizing the support they receive from parents, partners and other who helped them get there.

As Celebration turns eyes to the future, Varnas’ keynote address inspired attendees through his perspective on leadership rooted in service and responsibility.

“For over three decades, ANSEP has helped students across Alaska turn opportunity into achievement,” said ANSEP Executive Director Dr. Matt Calhoun, an ANSEP alumnus. “Celebration is a chance to recognize what students have accomplished, thank the strategic partners who make it all possible, and honor the families and supporters who stand behind their students and this program as we look ahead to the next generation of success.”

In 2025, the program reached several significant milestones, including welcoming trailblazing engineering educator Michele Yatchmeneff as chief operating officer, partnering with the North Slope Borough School District and Wainwright based Qargi Academy to host a Middle School Academy that created a first time opportunity for Qargi Academy students to participate, and expanding its reach by launching a full time Acceleration Academy in Nome.

ANSEP was founded by Dr. Herb Ilisaurri Schroeder, Ph.D. and is part of the University of Alaska system. The program strives to effect systemic change in the hiring patterns of Alaska students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics career fields by placing its students on a path to leadership. 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.

For more information, please visit www.ANSEP.net