On the first floor of Grant Hall, near the main entrance of the first building on campus, sits the Shel ch’naq’ahnilu Center. It’s a casual spot for study and socializing. It’s also the on-campus home of Alaska Native and Rural Student Services and its new coordinator, Barbara Amos. “Come and say hi,” she said. “I’m…
Culture and community: Get to know Alaska Native and Rural Student Services
Meet the Fall Class of 2021
Commencement is December 11. Before the big day, get to know a few members of the Class of 2021 Join the virtual Commencement celebration on Facebook and YouTube at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11. Kikkan Randall Bachelor’s of Business Administration Class of 2021 When Kikkan Randall graduated from East High in 2001, she figured…
What is Community and Place-Based Education?
APU announced three new degrees in May 2021, including a bachelor’s in Community and Place-Based Education. The program combines courses from across the university to prepare Alaska’s next educators. “I feel we’ve taken the best of everything that we do at APU, particularly in developing educators, and put it in this program,” said Paul Twardock,…
Celebrate First-Gen Week at APU
At universities across the country, November 8 marks the annual First Generation College Celebration. But here at APU, we’re celebrating all week long. This year’s slate of events begins on Monday, November 8 – the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act of 1965 – and continues with five days of events. First-gen…
Alaska Native Plants and Traditional Uses
The plants we pass on the way to class were here long before the university. A recent course called Alaska Native Plants and Traditional Uses specifically explored the broad range of benefits that Southcentral Alaska plants – including those on APU’s campus – provide for Alaska Native people. The Block course is offered in partnership…
Meet Elaine Alvey, Director of Education
What’s your academic background? I have an undergraduate degree from the University of Kentucky in political science and sustainable agriculture, a master’s degree from Washington State University in teaching and a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia in educational theory and practice. My research interests center social studies, climate change education, the teaching of controversial…
Photobook: Expedition Alaska 2021
After a one-year hiatus during the pandemic, APU’s signature course returned to the Yukon River. Expedition Alaska is a 10-day rafting trip that introduces first-year students to Alaska and APU’s one-of-a-kind academics. Natural History of Alaska students floated the river in rafts, while Introduction to Wilderness Skills piloted the river in two-person canoes. Take a…
Block Spotlight: Adventure Therapy
Adventure therapy is a subset of counseling psychology built upon a foundation of experiential education for personal growth and development. By stretching to achieve personal goals, participants experience beneficial social and emotional skills like gaining confidence, building trust, boosting self-concept, and learning to rely on others. Adventure Therapy is also an APU course offered during…
Meet Diane Droutman, Associate Professor of Nursing
Who inspires you? I feel inspired by students who against all the barriers and struggles persevere and achieve their goal. What was the best concert you ever attended? Peter, Paul, and Mary Where’s your favorite place in the world? Sitting in nature and watching what is going on. It can be on the water, in…
Meet Will Elliott, Assistant Professor of Writing
What’s your academic background? I finished college as a creative writing major with an interest in outdoor education, where I worked briefly after graduation. However, I still felt like I had questions about this world that needed exploring. I went back to school, this time with a focus in American literature and the environment. After…
