The Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) commemorated three decades of improving educational opportunities for Alaskans at its annual celebration on Friday, Jan. 31. Beginning as a scholarship program for one student, ANSEP has helped more than 2,500 Alaskans from all backgrounds, representing more than 100 communities across the state, pursue their educational and professional goals. In addition to bringing together the ANSEP community, the milestone invitation-only event featured keynote speaker Izzy Yasana, value brand manager at Nike.

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 others through perseverance and hard work. In addition to her position at Nike, Yasana serves as chief of staff for the Native American Network and 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 M.B.A. American Indian Entrepreneurship program. 

The daylong festivities began with an intimate luncheon where ANSEP students of all ages had the opportunity to engage directly with Yasana, learning about her own educational experiences and how she has excelled in the corporate world. For this session, ANSEP hosted more than 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.

Later that evening, the celebration concluded at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center with Yasana’s keynote address honoring 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.

In the last year alone, ANSEP achieved many milestones, including:

• Announcing a partnership with financial services company Baird to help Alaska students learn more about and pursue careers in business and financial services.
• Naming Dr. Matt Calhoun as the executive director of ANSEP.
• Appointing Elizabeth Spangler as the Dr. Herbert P. Schroeder chair of ANSEP.
• Celebrating its largest graduating class of full-time Acceleration Academy students (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).
• Supporting its largest group of Summer Bridge students, placing them in internships within various STEM and business fields both in and outside of Alaska.

“Having been part of ANSEP 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 Matt Calhoun, ANSEP executive director. “[This] 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.”