Recipient Organization
ILISAGVIK COLLEG
PO BOX 749
BARROW,AK 99723
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Ilisagvik College's Education/Teaching project is focused on increasing capacity in two key areas: Within the Iñupiaq Studies Program, which is Ilisagvik's flagship program, and, in the last five years, it has experienced significant growth, both in the number of classes we offer and enrollment. The goal is to hire an additional full-time faculty position in the Iñupiaq Studies, increasing capacity by 100% (we currently have one full-time faculty member), in order to serve students more effectively. Ilisagvik is also seeking funding to expand its Iñupiaq Studies supplies, so that the new courses we implement as a result of augmented capacity will be appropriately outfitted. Ilisagvik's Inupiaq Studies Program is focused on preserving and perpetuating the Inupiaq language, as well as Traditional Knowledge, including FANH-related knowledge in ecology.The second focus for this project is on building capacity in Cross-Disciplinary Institutional Administrative Capacity in order to improve our ability to both deliver instruction in FANH disciplines and streamline some administrative functions that will support student recruitment, retention, and educational equity. Ilisagvik College seeks to provide more accessibility measures (ADA) in distance education through a digital service (Level Access), and transition to a completely digitized and interactive academic catalog system, moving away from paper and static PDF copies that do not serve current students well and confuse potential new students.Ilisagvik College will serve several thousand students will these goals and endeavors and contribute to the retention and advancement of Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students in FANH disciplines through this project.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
We have two main goals when it comes to this project:Focus One - Iñupiaq Studies Program - This is Ilisagvik's flagship program and in the last five years, it has experienced significant growth, both in the number of classes we offer and enrollment. The goal is to hire an additional full-time faculty position in the Iñupiaq Studies, increasing capacity by 100% (we currently have one full-time faculty member), in order to serve students more effectively. Ilisagvik is also seeking funding to expand its Iñupiaq Studies supplies, so that the new courses we implement as a result of augmented capacity will be appropriately outfitted.Focus Two - Cross-Disciplinary Institutional Administrative Capacity - To improve our ability to both deliver instruction in FANH disciplines and streamline some administrative functions that will support student recruitment, retention, and educational equity, I?isa?vik College seeks to provide more accessibility measures (ADA) in distance education through a digital service (Level Access), and transition to a completely digitized and interactive academic catalog system, moving away from paper and static PDF copies that do not serve current students well and confuse potential new students.
Project Methods
To accomplish this project, we will focus on four key areas under the two foci:Focus One - Iñupiaq Studies Program GrowthFocus Two - Cross-Disciplinary Institutional Administrative CapacityObjective: Build capacity in the Iñupiaq Studies Program with a new full-time faculty member to better serve students and accommodate program growth.Results/Outputs:Increase the number of Iñupiaq Studies classes over four years by 17%Increase the number of Iñupiaq students enrolled over four years by 16%Develop one new Iñupiaq traditional knowledge class.Objective: Build capacity and improve institutional functions to better serve FANH students, both prospective and current.Results/Outputs:Utilize Level Access accessibility software to improve accessibility measures within digital curriculum in I?isa?vik's LMS (Moodle) and on its website.Research and implement a new online academic catalog system for better student user experience and more up-to-date informationProject Director Walls will work closely with the Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Peter Snow, and Assistant Professor of Iñupiaq Studies, Jerica Leavitt, to identify and hire a suitable faculty candidate. These three individuals will work closely with the new faculty member to onboard successfully and look to thoughtfully expanding the number of classes offered under the program.Under Focus Two, Project Director Walls will work with the Dean of Administration, Nicole Evans, and the Director of Technology, Monica Lugo, to roll out the softwares that will focus on accessibility support and better user experiences for students. Once an online catalog system is selected, the Director of Technology will work closely with the Dean of Academic Affairs and I?isa?vik's Marketing Department to migrate the current catalog information (policies, classes, etc.) for beta testing. Ilisavik plans to test the system internally and with a focus group of students, then make improvements based on feedback (changing the design or organization as needed), and then rolling out the online academic catalog officially.For evaluation, I?isa?vik College will use both qualitative and quantitative methods of evaluation while executing this project, both of which adhere to the standards set forth by the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). Regarding qualitative assessment, an evaluation method called Mapkuqput Inuuniagnigmi will be used (developed locally on the North Slope). In regard to quantitative assessment, the project will rely on outcomes-based assessment methodologies that involve data, statistical analysis, and evaluation of enrollment metrics. We'll use beta-testing surveys and student focus groups to measure satisfaction and provide feedback on institutional process improvements before committing to systemic changes. We have an internal team for evaluation, and will likely contract with an external evaluator the last two years of the project.