Page 23 - Dec 2021 Report

30 years - Our Journey Continues Grant Program Committee meeting minutes (draft) (3)
6. Indigenous Peoples programing A. ANSEP
Malcolm welcomed Herb Schroeder, founder of the Alaska Native Science & Engineering (ANSEP) program. The following materials had been submitted: an application; notes from a site visit; notes from a videoconference held on November 11, 2021; a letter from Herb to the JSF Board of Directors; a graphic showing the 7 ANSEP components; a logic model for the program; and slides from a PowerPoint presentation. ANSEP requests $300,000 over 3 years for scholarships in 3 ANSEP program areas: the Acceleration Academy for high school students, the Summer Bridge program for high school graduates and the University Success program for college students. The proposal does not include matching.
Herb gave a brief overview of ANSEP, which began in 1995 as a scholarship program to encourage Alaska Native university students to go into STEM professions. ANSEP students can go from eighth grade to a STEM bachelor’s degree in five years. It started with 1 student and now serves students in kindergarten through graduate school. Every aspect of the program, including its canoe-shaped building, is designed to inspire students. Many of these students aspire to careers in conservation and healthcare. The 7 program components begin with a K-5 piece, which includes an afterschool program. In the Middle School Academy, groups of 54 students from remote villages are invited to the University of Alaska-Fairbanks campus for 2 weeks to do projects like building a personal computer. The STEM Career Explorations component is for returning middle school students. The Acceleration Academy, which allows high school students to earn college credits, is the first of the 3 components for which ANSEP is seeking funding. Next is the Summer Bridge program, which offers internship opportunities. After high school, the University Success program provides a cohort model for students entering college and offers them a host of supports. The last ANSEP component is the Alaska Grown Ph.D. program in which graduates earn their Ph.D.s and return as faculty. That program is not part of the current funding request.
Herb introduced Kate Sakeagak, who joined the meeting via Zoom. A mathematics and civil engineering major at the University of Alaska-Anchorage, Kate participated in an internship with ConocoPhillips. Kate’s father was also in the program, making her a 2nd generation ANSEP student. She said ANSEP gave her many opportunities, and she now serves as a student leader in the program. Herb explained that he would like to make Acceleration Academy a state-funded program that would be available to every student in Alaska. He also aspires to expand it nationwide and is working with Chicago State University in Chicago’s South Side to introduce the program there. All but 2 of ANSEP’s staff members are alumni. The program attracts students from various underrepresented groups, but the vast majority, 70 percent, are Alaska Natives.
Herb explained that his $8.5 million budget includes $3.5 million from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. He raises about $5 million per year from corporate partners. One partner, Alaska Airlines, has twice awarded ANSEP a 3-year, $1 million grant. The Rasmuson Foundation is among ANSEP’s supporters and even helped to fund the building where ANSEP is located. It was through Rasmuson that JSF came to know about Herb and the program. Herb was asked about the amount of his request to JSF. Herb said he could use even more than the $300,000 he requested. Through his discussions with JSF, $300,000 was deemed reasonable for a first-time grantee. There was also a question about ANSEP’s relationship with AISES. The 2 organizations have a good relationship, and ANSEP sends many students to the AISES conferences. Herb and Kate then left the meeting.
There was immediate agreement that this program is a good one, and the possible expansion to the lower 48 through the Chicago collaboration sounds promising. The Committee agreed to increase the grant amount to $450,000 over 3 years to send a signal of its support. Sherry might also be able to connect them with Amazon. com’s science and engineering effort through a person she knows.
The Committee agreed to award ANSEP a grant of $450,000 over 3 years for scholarships in 3 of its program areas: the Acceleration Academy for high school students, the Summer Bridge program for high school graduates and the University Success program for college students.
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