University of Alaska moves forward with Alaska Native Success Initiative

Next week, working groups and committees for UA’s new Alaska Native Success Initiative will kick off its effort to improve support for Alaska Native faculty, staff and students and begin to meet to assess campuses, climates and positive changes that can be made to increase UA’s equity and inclusion. 

A steering committee of leaders representing the University of Alaska Board of Regents, chancellors, and Alaska Native corporations, tribal entities, and organizations will help guide the process. The steering committee will serve in an advisory role to the university president.  

University-based action teams led by their respective chancellor or designee will conduct a baseline evaluation of the climate for Alaska Native students, faculty and staff at each university. This evaluation will include both qualitative and quantitative data related to programs, recruitment, retention and academic success. 

Several members of the steering committee also are members of the university action teams; this is by design to ensure alignment and communication across the working groups.

After the action teams develop a baseline evaluation of each universities’ current program offerings and data on the recruitment, retention and success of Alaska Native faculty, students and staff, the steering committee and action teams will develop an overarching five-year plan with specific system-wide and university-based goals and targets. Additionally, the process is expected to yield recommendations for policy and regulations changes.  

More information on this initiative can be found here