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Over Three Decades of a Successful Academic Bridge Program & Comprehensive Advising for Rural Students
Denise Wartes
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Alaska Indigenous Knowledge
• Seven Major Indigenous Groups
• 229 Tribes
• 20 languages
• 10,000 years of occupancy
• Subsistence and Survival
RAHI Mission Statement
UAF Rural Alaska Honors Institute, known as RAHI, was established at the request of the Alaska Federation of Natives in 1982, to prepare rural and Alaska Native high school students for academic excellence and college success.
• The Rural Alaska Honors Institute is a program of academic enrichment and preparation for traditional undergraduate life at a university campus.
• Students selected for the six-week academic adventure work at the very limits of their capabilities, as suggested by the Institute’s motto, Challenge Yourself!
What is RAHI?
RAHI & Indigenous KnowledgeAlaska Native Pedagogies• Nature • Relationships• Learning from Elders• Storytelling• Dance/Drumming• Meditation/Reflection• Fun and Games• Respect/Diversity
RAHI StudentsEarn 9-11 college credits• College Writing• Study Skills & Leadership• Alaska Native Dance or
Karate• Biochemistry• Business Management• Pre-calculus• Process Technology• Education• Library Science
RAHI Requirements
• Rural or Alaska Native high school Jr. or Sr.
• Lived most or all of their life in rural Alaska
• Have a 3.0 cum. GPA• Plan to earn a college degree• Willing to live in a residence
hall• Abide by required rules of
conduct
Indigenous Knowledge Program Design
The design of intensive academics couched in a culturally-supportive residence hall setting continues to produce challenged, satisfied, and better prepared students.
Alaska’s Future Leaders
• RAHI’s process of helping to prepare the next generation of rural leaders is an ongoing investment.
• Just as with investing in a financial institution, the interest accrues slowly, but after thirty-two years, it amounts to something significant.
Indigenous Knowledge Systems Leads to Higher Education
Between 1983 and 2014, over 1,550 students have attended the RAHI program. RAHI students have earned the following:Medical Doctor = 1Dr. Physical Therapy/Chiropractic = 3Dr. Pharmacy = 2Law Degrees = 8Grad./Professional Certificates = 17Masters = 87Bachelors = 361Associates = 193Certificates = 90TOTAL = 764 degrees/certification
Over 275 RAHI students are currently enrolled in colleges throughout Alaska and the U.S.
Historical Findings Supporting Early Engagement
• 44 teachers• 34 Native administrators• 14 engineers• 10 accountants• 9 biologists• 8 nurses• 6 city managers• 5 lawyers• 5 hospital administrators• 5 artists• 5 education administrators• 6 principals• 4 health administrators• 4 counselors
• 3 magistrates• 3 legislative liaisons• 2 chemists• 1 medical doctor• 1 Vista volunteer• 2 pharmacists• 2 flight attendants• 1 geologist• 1 oceanographer• 1 NYC budget analyst
Credit and Grade Point Average Comparisons
Year Total Credits Avg. Credits Avg. G.P.A.• 2011 515 8.73 3.39• 2012 539 8.98 3.50• 2013 269 9.61 3.52• 2014 476 9.15 3.59\RAHI academic coordinator’s 2014 annual report)
RAHI Success
When just comparing minority students, RAHI rural Alaska Natives are nearly twice as likely to successfully complete a Bachelor’s degree program than other rural Alaska Natives (19% vs. 10%).
American Institutes for Research
Best Practices
• Experience and Practice Native ways of teaching and learning
• Exposure to Native scholars, artists, activists, and Elders
• Spend time on Native land
• Immersion in Native culture
• Link learning with Native ways
Quyanaq! Thank you!
Denise Wartes, RAHI Program DirectorTelephone: (907) 474-6886Email: mdwartes@alaska.edu
RAHIWebsite: www.uaf.edu/rahi
(all photos by RAHI staff)
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