This year, the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program is proud to announce the largest-ever graduating class of its full-time, academic year Acceleration Academy opportunity. Twenty-eight students from the Anchorage, Bethel, Matanuska-Susitna and residential campuses earned their high school diplomas when they graduated this past weekend. Along with their degree, the 28 students will be leaving Acceleration Academy with a total of 1,216 college credits, with one student earning a whopping 94 college credits during their high school career.
What began as a summer opportunity for high school students to earn college credits at no cost, Acceleration Academy is now a full-time opportunity. Students complete their high school graduation requirements through college courses taken during the academic year. The average Acceleration Academy graduate begins their freshman year of college with the number of credits equivalent to those of a college junior, eliminating two years of college courses and tuition costs.
By helping students go from eighth grade to a bachelor’s degree in just five years, the opportunity helps students and their families save over $75,000 in college costs. Additionally, state/local/federal governments spend only one third of the cost they would normally expend for a student to earn a degree at the University of Alaska.
The opportunity is designed to accelerate high school students’ academic careers, prepare them for the rigor of college coursework and position them for success in STEM careers, but it also hyper-prepares them socially and professionally. Since launching the academic year opportunity in 2015, it has seen tremendous growth and success in making an impact in the lives of students and their families across Alaska.
“Our largest Acceleration Academy class yet is a testament to the program’s success and its positive impact on Alaska’s students through cost savings and unmatched educational opportunities,” said ANSEP Director of Special Projects Michael Bourdukofsky. “We are honored to be a part of these students’ journeys and look forward to seeing their continued success. A huge thanks to all the ANSEP staff, parents and partners who collectively make this all possible. Qaĝaalakux̂ (Thank Youin Unangam Tunuu)!”
Students graduating from ANSEP’s academic year Acceleration Academy this year include:
Anchorage
- Andre Bergerson
- Isabel Cage
- Cedric Deacon
- Johnathan Duke
- Ayman Elthahir
- Vernadette Fernandez-Alexie
- Alexander Hazelton IV
- Anna Lea Hyer
- Jackson Kompkoff
- Isaiah McPherson
- Vally Mitchell
- Eugene Mulinde
- Jenessa Ross
- Catherine Spangler
- Aeryn Werning
Mat-Su
- Ivory Iverson
- Carter Conrad
Bethel
- AnnaLayne Ulroan
- Marion Swope
- Austin Kirby
- Anson Jimmie
- Zachariah Wasillie
- Alyssa Motgin
- Kallie Andrew
Residential
- Jena Boelens of Aniak
- Dawson Keena of Sutton
- Aria Olmsted of Kenai
- William Tomeo of McKinley Village/Denali National Park
- Laurel “Luca” Tony of Bethel
