Matt Calhoun named new executive director for Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program

May 17, 2024

Matt Calhoun, Ph.D. (Athabaskan) has been selected as the new full-time executive director of the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP). A graduate of ANSEP, former program assistant director, and associate professor of civil engineering at UAA, Calhoun has led ANSEP as interim executive director since spring 2023.

Calhoun will be the first to tell you ANSEP was essential to his academic and professional success. In 2002, he became one of the first students to graduate with ANSEP after earning a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from UAA. After working as a project/field engineer across Alaska, he returned to ANSEP as a director to inspire more Alaska Native students to pursue an education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“I want to encourage students like me, and all students in Alaska, to earn their degrees and become leaders in their fields and in our state,” said Calhoun. “As executive director I will remain committed to continuing ANSEP’s mission of making quality, affordable education available for all Alaskans. Together with the support of our strategic partners, who make it possible for us to provide all of these incredible opportunities, we’ll create even more pathways to success, ensuring that every student has the support and resources they need to thrive in their academic and professional careers.”

Read the full profile here.