 Project will assist rural and Native Alaskans in pursuit of post-secondary education September 10, 2004
The five year project is aimed at improving the participation and success of rural and Native Alaskans in post-secondary education. UAS Ketchikan will develop and implement a comprehensive system of student support services for students on Annette and Prince of Wales Islands. The system will include a staff of instructional technicians who will assist students in accessing distance courses, coordinating testing appointments and providing tutors for ongoing academic support. It will also include student support services like career and academic counseling, testing and assessment services and financial aid guidance. A student services coordinator from the Ketchikan campus will make regular visits to both Annette Island and Prince of Wales Island to meet with students face to face as a way to assist them with needs they may encounter in their pursuit of post-secondary education. The DOE grant will allow UAS Ketchikan to purchase and install adequate technology on both islands to enable students to access information and participate in distance course work either on the web, via audio conference or through internet protocol (IP) video conferencing. The University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan will begin developing the project immediately. UAS Ketchikan Campus Assistant Director Cathy LeCompte has been appointed as the project director. An advisory steering committee will also be appointed to oversee the necessary monitoring and advising functions. Student support center sites will be located and secured and a student services coordinator will be recruited this fall with plans to begin implementation of the project on both Annette and Prince of Wales Islands in January 2005. The first year, UAS Ketchikan receives $169,560 with decreasing funding amounts granted each of the following four years. In year two and beyond, UAS Ketchikan will evaluate access and mentoring strategies used in rural communities and make recommendations for changes if necessary. The project will also work toward retention goals for distance delivery students. The University of Alaska Southeast Ketchikan Campus provides a wide variety of educational courses and programs to Ketchikan and the surrounding communities throughout the year. Many course offerings are available via both locally and through distance avenues including web-based, audio conference, teleconference and satellite offerings. Through these offerings, students can achieve certifications, associate, bachelor and master degrees.
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