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

Websiteshttp://www.uaf/rahi

http://www.uaf.edu/advising/http://www.uaf.edu/ruralss/

Student Resources

General Studies

Grade Expectations

Student Clubs

RAHI 2014 Graduates

Quyanaq! Thank you!

Denise Wartes, RAHI Program DirectorTelephone: (907) 474-6886Email: mdwartes@alaska.edu

RAHIWebsite: www.uaf.edu/rahi

(all photos by RAHI staff)