FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 16, 2026
Utqiaġvik, Alaska — Iḷisaġvik College is pleased to announce the approval of its new Unangax̂ Studies Program. The Program offers a 15-credit Certificate I, developed in partnership with the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government (ACSPI). The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) approved the certificate effective September 8, 2026, officially including the program under the College’s accreditation.
This new program strengthens access to the Unangan language, Unangam Tunuu, and culturally grounded higher education. The Certificate scope was modeled after Iḷisaġvik’s flagship program, Iñupiaq Studies. President of Iḷisaġvik College, Justina Wilhelm, shares that “As Alaska’s only Tribal College, Iḷisaġvik is thrilled to strengthen our Indigenous partnerships across our state with the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island. This reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Indigenous knowledge, and supporting cultural revitalization.”
Iḷisaġvik is proud to partner with ACSPI to help preserve, perpetuate, and celebrate Unangax̂ Studies. This new certificate provides students with an opportunity to study Unangam Tunuu while exploring Unangan history, culture, values, land, art, and traditional knowledge. Students will also strengthen communication, collaboration, and critical-thinking skills that support continued education, employment, and service to their communities.
The Unangax̂ Studies Program builds on a long-established partnership between Iḷisaġvik College and the ACSPI, the latter of which is an approved instructional site for Iḷisaġvik College at ACSPI’s Bering Sea Campus (BSC) on St. Paul Island. More than 40 community members from the Unangax̂ region contributed to the development of coursework, helping ensure that the curriculum reflects community knowledge, priorities, and Ways of Knowing.
Academic Director of the BSC, Haley Edmondson, notes “Our team has been working on this program over the last five years and we could not be more excited to begin this next chapter. We look forward to the standardization of our Unangax̂ Studies course offerings each semester now that an official program has been approved. We are sincerely grateful for the partnership of Iḷisaġvik College and the commitment they have demonstrated in pursuit of developing an Unangax̂ Studies program. We are eager to continue our connection across the Unangax̂ region as this program is facilitated and grows.”
Designed primarily for distance delivery, the program allows students living on St. Paul Island and in other rural and remote communities to pursue a college credential while remaining connected to their families and home communities. ACPSI’s Bering Sea Campus provides additional infrastructure and student support on St. Paul Island and beyond, while Iḷisaġvik College provides academic oversight and institutional services.
The certificate was developed to support language and cultural revitalization while providing a foundation for further study and career interests in education, research, Tribal governance, fisheries, tourism, entrepreneurship, and other fields. Iḷisaġvik and ACSPI look forward to developing additional credentials and coursework within the Program as its enrollment grows. Both organizations are committed to continuing to expand access to education that centers Indigenous knowledge and responds to the priorities of Alaska Native communities.
Prospective students can apply online and explore the Iḷisaġvik College course catalog.
For more information about the Unangax̂ Studies Certificate I, course offerings, or enrollment, contact Haley Edmondson at hedmondson@aleut.com or Dean of Academic Affairs Clarke Leichte at clarke.leichte@ilisagvik.edu.
About Iḷisaġvik College
Iḷisaġvik College is Alaska’s only Tribal college and is located in the northernmost village in the United States, Utqiaġvik (Barrow). Iḷisaġvik College provides quality post-secondary academic, career, and technical education in a learning environment that perpetuates and strengthens Iñupiat culture, language, values, and traditions. It is dedicated to serving its students and developing a well-educated and trained workforce who meet the human resource needs of North Slope employers and the state of Alaska.
About the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government
(ACSPI) is a federally recognized Tribal Government representing the Unangan people
of St. Paul Island — the largest of the five Pribilof Islands, located roughly 300
miles from mainland Alaska in the Bering Sea. ACSPI's mission is to ensure the highest
quality of life for all tribal members while protecting the community's cultural identity
and natural environment. From environmental restoration and youth education to marine
research and public health, ACSPI's initiatives reflect its commitment to sovereignty,
culture, and sustainability.
About the Bering Sea Campus
The Bering Sea Campus (BSC) on St. Paul Island is comprised of both an Education Center
and Research Center. Established in 2018, the BSC and is the educational and research
arm for the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government. Native-led and community-driven,
the BSC as a whole provides world-class research facilities with direct access to
the Bering Sea and supports place-based higher education and workforce development.
The BSC enhances student learning, knowledge, and Unangan leadership while also advancing
ACSPI's vision of a sustainable, research-based economy on St. Paul Island.
Iḷisaġvik College Contact:
Dr. Clarke Leichte
Dean of Academic Affairs
clarke.leichte@ilisagvik.edu
907-852-1704
Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Contact:
Haley Edmondson
Academic Director
hedmondson@aleut.com
907-830-2637