ANSEP marks 30 years during annual Celebration

Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) commemorated three decades of improving educational opportunities for Alaskans during its annual Celebration on Friday, January 31.

Starting out as a scholarship program for one student, ANSEP grown to help more than 2,500 Alaskans from all backgrounds, representing more than 100 communities across the state, pursue their educational and career goals.

In addition to bringing together members of the ANSEP community, the milestone event featured keynote speaker Izzy Yasana, a value brand manager at Nike.

To kick off the event, ANSEP students of all ages were able to attend an intimate lunch session with Yasana, asking questions as they learned about Yasana’s own educational experiences and how she has excelled in the corporate world. For this session, ANSEP hosted over 100 University Success students, 30 Middle School Academy students from the Northwest Arctic Borough and Bering Strait School Districts, and almost 200 Acceleration Academy high school students from Anchorage, Mat-Su, Bethel and Kotzebue.

On Friday evening, ANSEP held a celebration at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center featured Yasana’s keynote address and honored the program’s transformative role in education over the last 30 years. This celebration was also a time to mark the achievements of students who have turned their dreams into reality and recognize the partners and parents who have supported them along the way.

“Having been part of the ANSEP program for nearly its entire existence, first as a student and now as a faculty member, it’s a great honor for me to be part of celebrating 30 years of the program’s remarkable impact on Alaska,” said ANSEP Executive Director Matt Calhoun. “Celebration serves as a chance to reflect on how far we’ve come, recognize the achievements of our students and express gratitude to all who have supported us along the way.”

In the last year alone, ANSEP achieved many milestones:

-Announced a partnership with Baird to help Alaska students learn more about and pursue careers in business and financial services.

-Dr. Matt Calhoun was named the Executive Director of ANSEP.

-Elizabeth Spangler was appointed to the Dr. Herbert P. Schroeder Chair of ANSEP, a role in which she will continue to make great advancements for ANSEP and its students.

-Celebrated its largest graduating class of full-time Acceleration Academy students in 2024, marking a record-breaking year for academic success. Students graduate from the high school program with an average of more than 70 college credits, which they earn at no cost to them or their families.

-Supported its largest group of Summer Bridge students, placing them in internships within various STEM and business fields both in and outside of Alaska.

As Celebration looks to the future, Yasana’s keynote address hoped to inspire attendees with her perspective as a value brand manager at Nike, chief of staff for the Native American Network & Friends, board member for the Warrior Movement, Next Generation Advisory Committee member for the American Indian College Fund, and adjunct professor at Gonzaga University in the MBA American Indian Entrepreneurship program.

A member of the Klamath and Modoc tribes, Yasana brings her culture and community into everything she does. Her story is one of resilience, mentorship and inspiring others to build the future they want for themselves and for others through perseverance and hard work.

To learn more about ANSEP, please visit www.ANSEP.net.