Iḷisaġvik College is proud to announce the approval of the Bering Sea Campus (BSC) on St. Paul Island as an official additional instructional site. This milestone marks a significant expansion in the College’s ongoing efforts to provide accessible, place-based, Tribal higher education to rural and remote Alaskan communities. The new site reflects the continuation of a longstanding partnership with the Aleut Com- munity of St. Paul Island (ACSPI), which has been a dedicated collaborator in supporting educational access for Alaska Native students.
The Bering Sea Campus features administrative offices, classrooms, and a computer lab to support academic programming, as well as the nearby Bering Sea science research laboratory operating through the Bering Sea Research Center. With this infrastructure, Iḷisaġvik College will continue to offer both credit and non-credit courses—including instruction in Unangam Tunuu, HAZWOPER certifications, and essential workforce development skills—through a combination of in-person (at BSC) and hybrid formats.
“I am so grateful for all we have accomplished thus far with this partnership, so proud to work along- side the great people at Ilisagvik College and to witness such a historic moment for us in bringing Tribal higher education to our people in Saint Paul. I am excited to continue growing our partnership and supporting each other as organizations and as people.” - John Wayne Melovidov, President, Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government.
This expansion strengthens Iḷisaġvik’s ability to serve ACSPI’s 1,200 enrolled Tribal members, particular- ly the approximately 400 individuals who reside on St. Paul Island. By formalizing BSC as an instruction- al site, the College can more effectively reach the broader Aleutian region and lay the groundwork for future academic offerings, including an Unangax̂ certificate program.
These efforts align with Iḷisaġvik’s mission to advance self-determination, sustainability, and educational opportunity for Alaska Native communities, and to facilitate the development of a well-educated and trained workforce who meet the human resource needs of Alaska. President Justina Wilhelm of Iḷisaġvik College notes that this expansion reflects Iḷisaġvik’s “commitment to providing excellent Tribal postsec- ondary education. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with ACSPI and thoughtfully meet the needs of their community.”
As Alaska’s only Tribal College with accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, Iḷisaġvik remains committed to offering culturally relevant, community-rooted education across the state. The approval of the Bering Sea Campus reinforces this commitment and highlights the College’s continued investment in meaningful partnerships that promote equity and access in higher education.
About Iḷisaġvik College
Iḷisaġvik College is Alaska’s only tribal college and is in the northernmost village in the United States, Utqiaġvik (Barrow). Iḷisaġvik College provides quality post-secondary academic, career, and technical education in a learning environment that perpetuates and strengthens Iñupiat culture, language, values, and traditions. It is dedicated to serving its students and developing a well-educated and trained workforce who meet the human resource needs of North Slope employers and the state of Alaska.
About Aleut Community of St. Paul Island
Aleut Community of St. Paul Island is a federally recognized tribe located on St. Paul Island in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska. The ACSPI Tribal Government, through the Tribal Council, leads the efforts to ensure and strengthen political sovereignty, economic self-sufficiency, continued cultural practic-
es, tribal self-determination and self-governance, and the overall health, safety, and welfare of Tribal Members. For more information about the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island, please visit www.aleut. com.
About Bering Sea Campus
The Bering Sea Campus was founded on St. Paul Island, AK in 2018 by directive from the Tribal Council. The Bering Sea Campus is dedicated to developing educational opportunities that reflect the needs of St. Paul community and for students across Alaska. The Campus is committed to the empowerment and advancement of the Unangan (Aleut) people by supporting students in higher education and voca- tional training, and unlocking opportunities in the developing research, defense, and economic activities in the Bering Sea and Arctic region.
Iḷisaġvik College Contact: Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Contact:
Debbie Mekiana Haley Edmondson
Dean of Academic Affairs Academic Director
907.852.1825 907.830.2637