Flora Andrews (Inupiaq and Norwegian) has been part of the ANSEP community for 14 years! Her ANSEP journey began in 2012 when she joined the Computer Build as a high school sophomore. She then completed the Summer Acceleration Academy and the Bridge component, where she did her first internship with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, before earning an Associate of Arts in General Program in 2017.
Flora’s connection to ANSEP continued through her work with MSA. She began as a Youth Peer Mentor in 2016 and served in several positions, including Lead Youth Peer Mentor, Administrative Assistant, Assistant Director, Data Manager, Student Success Liaison, and Lab Tech. Through these roles, she has continued supporting students and giving back to the program that supported her own educational journey.
During her internship this summer, Flora was introduced to the various roles and functions of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement through meetings, presentations, readings, and informational materials. She primarily worked on two projects: peer reviewing a winter ringed seal density study, where she focused on readability and general understanding from a non-scientific perspective, and developing K-12 outreach ideas with a wildlife biologist to create bird-focused lesson frameworks and activities for students in Kaktovik. Although much of her internship involved learning and taking notes, Flora thoroughly enjoyed the experience and gained a much deeper understanding of BOEM, BSEE, and federal environmental operations.
Currently, Flora is pursuing a B.S. in Natural Science with a concentration in Environmental Sciences and anticipates graduating in 2028 or 2029.
“Honestly, I don’t think I would’ve gone to college without the support that ANSEP provided me,” said Flora. “Even after having to leave partway through my first attempt at a Bachelor’s so I could take care of my family, I still wanted to come back to school. I still have that goal over a decade later, and the fact that I’m still able to get a second shot at that goal with ANSEP’s continued support has been beyond valuable to me in every aspect.”
For students considering ANSEP, Flora encourages them to think of the program as more than a pathway to a college degree. It is an opportunity to explore career interests, build a supportive network, and figure out what goals are right for you.
“Whether you’re a middle school student or a 10-years-late returning college student, you’ll find support for your goals here. Give it a try and see if it helps you reach your goals and ambitions.”
