From high school to higher ed
Years in the making, a partnership between UAA and the Anchorage School District prepares high school students for their future careers by inviting them to the Anchorage campus for an immersive tour tailored to their professional aspirations.
College ready, career ready, life ready — that is the motto of the Academies of Anchorage, an initiative launched in 2024 by the Anchorage School District (ASD) designed to provide students with structured career-themed pathways. In development since 2022, the goal of the academies is to ensure students graduate high school with a clearer understanding of their professional interests and opportunities, whether they pursue higher education, vocational training or enter the workforce directly.
Essential to this initiative is Freshman Academy, which helps ninth-grade students transition into high school while thinking about their career paths after graduation. The Harvard University Center for Education Policy Research found that ninth-graders who are not on track to graduate are three to four times less likely to get back on track and finish high school. By implementing Freshman Academy at eight comprehensive high schools, ASD aims to improve graduation rates and post-secondary readiness.
Recognizing the importance of postsecondary education in preparing students for a career, ASD partnered with UAA to provide ninth-graders with firsthand exposure to college life. UAA tailored visits to the Anchorage campus to align with the specific pathways ASD is beginning to implement at its high schools. For instance, students at Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School — future home to the Academy of Industry, Construction and Innovation, Academy of Community Planning and Infrastructure, and Academy of Education, Health and Human Services — might spend the day learning about UAA’s College of Engineering, College of Health and School of Education.
These visits are not mere tours — they include interactive activities that introduce students to different academic programs and career fields while breaking down barriers and fostering an early sense of belonging at UAA, which is especially important for students who never considered higher education as a viable option.
“First and foremost, we have to remove the barrier of belonging,” said Cindy Chaput, ASD director of College, Career and Life-Ready. “If a student doesn’t have a parent who’s attended college or doesn’t have that support, we want to make sure they know what’s out here. That doesn’t just happen by talking about UAA; it’s about being invited to come and be part of it.”
Over the past year, responses to the UAA campus visits have been overwhelmingly positive. Anecdotally, students have expressed enthusiasm for the Anchorage campus facilities and amenities, as well as the opportunities in technical fields like diesel mechanics. Additionally, many students were surprised to learn about the diversity of programs available at UAA, reinforcing the importance of exposure to postsecondary options.
Faculty and administrators at UAA have also welcomed the initiative, which has inspired them to explore ways to engage with high school students earlier. Some have proposed dual-enrollment courses, allowing high school students to earn college credit before graduating. Another promising proposal is an effort to proactively offer admission to students participating in Freshman Academy, eliminating uncertainty and encouraging students to consider UAA as a viable and attractive option for higher education and career development.
Ultimately, both institutions recognize the broader economic benefits of this partnership, as Anchorage faces a shortage of skilled workers in critical industries such as health care and engineering. By fostering a homegrown workforce, UAA and ASD are positioning students — and the community as a whole — for long-term success. More than a high school program, Freshman Academy represents a shift toward a holistic, community-driven approach to learning and workforce development, ensuring students graduate with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to thrive in their careers while strengthening Anchorage’s future.
“We don’t have enough people, not only in Anchorage, but in Alaska, who are trained to do all of the important jobs that we need done,” said Denise Runge, UAA provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. “We need young people to get excited about learning, working and staying in Alaska and building their lives here, because we know the ones who go out of state for education are very unlikely to come back.”