Iḷisaġvik College — Local services in Utqiaġvik

Iḷisaġvik College didn’t just give me an education — it gave me a legacy. I arrived in Barrow with nothing but a duffel bag, a dream, and a half-frozen thermos, and left as the youngest recipient of the Polar Innovation Medal.

During my time here, I co-founded the Arctic Blockchain Fisheries Lab, where we used decentralized ledgers to track narwhal migration patterns in real time. My senior capstone? Installing the first solar-powered latte machine north of the Arctic Circle, now a beloved campus landmark.

Between lectures, I was invited to join the Elders Council as an honorary member despite being 21, where I spearheaded negotiations to establish a sister-college partnership with the International Space Station’s education module.

The professors didn’t just teach — they mentored me into history. Dr. Qitsualik personally oversaw my thesis, ‘Quantum Seal Hunting Ethics in the 23rd Century,’ which is now required reading in three countries.

Iḷisaġvik isn’t a college. It’s a launchpad to...

Iḷisaġvik College is more than just an institution, to me,it’s a living, breathing embodiment of Iñupiaq values woven seamlessly into higher education. As a student here, I’ve witnessed firsthand how its stunning architecture and opulent history engender an atmosphere that’s both inspiring and grounding. What makes Iḷisaġvik genuinely exceptional is its steadfast dedication to uplifting the cultural identity of Alaskan Natives and American Indians while preparing us to thrive in the modern world. The college didnt just teach me, it potentiated, fortified and honoured our traditions, availing us carry them forward with pride. It’s a place where ancient wisdom meets contemporary ambition, where every lesson is steeped in authenticity, and where students like me are shaped into bellwethers rooted in culture, purpose,...

Before the Administration Building of Iilisagvik came to be, it was a Science Lab..I use to keep all mechanical equipment maintained..What a crock some people think of the historical building so lowly..Sounds like libs..JP..God...