Iḷisaġvik College is very pleased to extend a warm welcome to outstanding postsecondary leaders who have joined our college community. Debbie Mekiana, Dean of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Kristen Majocha, Dean of Students, bring with them a wealth of experience, a deep commitment to student success, and a dedication to academic excellence that reflects Iḷisaġvik’s mission as a Tribal college.
Originally from Anaktuvuk Pass, Debbie Amianaq Mekiana, comes to us from University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) where she was an Assistant Professor and Department Chair in the Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development. She has bachelor’s degrees in psychology and Iñupiaq, a Teaching Certificate in Secondary Education, and a master’s degree in Community Psychology, all from UAF.
Dean Mekiana has also served as the General Manager of the Nunamiut Corporation, the village corporation of Anaktuvuk Pass. She is on the advisory committee chair for UAF’s Rural Student Services, and has previously served on the Iḷisaġvik College Board of Trustees.
Dean Mekiana says she is looking forward to working with the team at Iḷisaġvik to “foster educational opportunities and preserve the cultural heritage of our community.”
Kristen Majocha, Ph.D., comes to Iḷisaġvik College from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where she was a Full Professor and Director of Forensics. Prior to that she served as the Dean of Education, Arts, and Social Sciences at California University of Pennsylvania. Her Ph.D. in Rhetoric is from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, and she has published widely on a variety of topics, including student engagement and inclusion in education. She is a veteran of the United States Navy.
“I’ve been amazed this summer watching the Student Services team motivate and nurture summer campers to build respect for nature and one another,” Dean Majocha says. “It’s inspiring to see such dedication to traditional Iñupiat values.”
Iḷisaġvik College President, Justina Wilhelm, welcomed both Deans, saying, “I look forward to the new ideas and energy they will bring as we continue to elevate and transform our support for our students, employees, and the communities we serve. Deans Mekiana and Dr. Majocha complete our leadership team, I look forward to their contributions and commitment to our academic programs and our commitment to put our Students First Iḷisaqtuat Sivulliġilugit.”
Aarigaa tavrapiallak — Congratulations — Dean Mekiana and Dean Majocha! As we begin this new chapter of leadership, we are confident that the expertise of our new deans will bring dynamic, student-centered momentum to Iḷisaġvik’s mission. Together, we will continue to build a strong, inclusive, and innovative Tribal college environment that puts students at the center of all we do.
About Iḷisaġvik College
Iḷisaġvik College is Alaska’s only tribal college and is located 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.
Iḷisaġvik College Contact: Justina Wilhelm President
907.852.1820