30th Anniversary
Join Us in Celebrating 30 Years of Iḷisaġvik College!
This year we’re celebrating a special milestone: 30 years as Alaska’s only Tribal
College. In 1996, Iḷisaġvik College was officially established by the North Slope
Borough, continuing the vision that began in 1986 when the North Slope Borough and
the University of Alaska Fairbanks partnered to create the North Slope Higher Education
Center. They pursued a purpose powerful enough to transform a community and inspiring
enough to shape future generations: to provide education and vocational training that
would prepare local residents to take on key administrative, business, and political
roles throughout the North Slope. By focusing on building local capacity, they ensured
that the region’s leadership and workforce are rooted in the community.
From those early days, Iḷisaġvik has grown into a thriving Tribal College that continues
to honor its founding vision while creating new opportunities for the future. What
began as a nascent vision to prepare local residents for leadership has become a grounded
mission: 296 of graduates have earned bachelor and associate degrees, and 699 have
earned certificates and endorsements in the history of the College. These figures
represent unduplicated individuals, as many students have earned multiple credentials,
including both degrees and certificates or endorsements.
For more than three decades, Iḷisaġvik’s strength has come from community - from you.
To celebrate this milestone, we are planning a year-long series of events that will
bring together students, alumni, partners, and community members. From open houses
and community barbecues to a peer-to-peer campaign and special gatherings, these celebrations
will highlight Iḷisaġvik’s impact and the people who make it possible.
*Upcoming Events*
March & April: 30th Anniversary Giving Campaign
May 2nd: Iḷisaġvik College Commencement
August: Open House and Community BBQ
To participate or get more information, email the Director of Development, Serena
Nesteby at serena.nesteby@ilisagvik.edu