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College Preparation Program Helps Transition Between Rural High Schools and Urban Colleges

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Denise Wartes served as a pillar for the Rural Alaska Honors Institute for 33 years, first as an assistant and then as the program manager until her retirement in 2019. A very passionate advocate, Wartes started with RAHI in 1989, six years after its inception, and saw multiple generations of lives changed through the 6-week program that welcomes rural and Alaska Native students to attend a college preparation program on the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Troth Yeddha’ Campus.

The Rural Alaska Honors Institute fosters student success, providing youth with an experience that blends academia, community involvement, outdoor recreation, and preparation for the transition between rural high schools and urban colleges. Each cohort typically brings together 50 students from across rural Alaska in the summer following their junior or senior year of high school. Students get a headstart of up to 10 credits over six weeks in subjects that have historically included Indigenous Cultures of Alaska, biomedical research, math, process technology, writing and more.

The Rural Alaska Honors Institute depends on private support and partnerships, with about sixty-percent of program expenses funded by outside donors – including individuals, Alaska Native Corporations and industry partners. Recognizing this, Wartes, together with her late husband, Mark, established The Denise and Mark Wartes Rural Alaska Honors Institute Endowment, which is the only endowment dedicated to RAHI. The endowment primarily supports scholarships and also allows for flexible spending; it can provide direct program support when not used for scholarships. Wartes intentionally made that decision, wanting the fund to be as open as possible to meet the program's critical needs. 

Denise Wartes speaking at a podiumDenise Wartes speaking at a podium
Denise Wartes speaking at a podium
Denise Wartes addresses RAHI graduates

The highly competitive program is at no-cost to the student; all expenses, including airfare to Fairbanks, are covered. Students live in dorms and spend weekdays in classes and study halls. Weekends offer organized recreational and volunteer activities. Alumni have gone on to become doctors, educators and more – benefitting from RAHI's tracks dedicated to research and teaching – among other professions. RAHI alumni stay in close contact, utilizing social media groups and attending a reunion held each fall. When alumni at the reunion were asked how RAHI prepared them for success in college and beyond, attendees were quick to answer:

  • "It prepared me to live in a college environment and to manage my time with classes, homework, and study time."
  • "It gave me a headstart on completing college classes and a view of what campus living was like."

According to the current program manager, Brianna Pauling, these sentiments mirror comments that many graduates have shared throughout the years. Established in 1983, RAHI measures success through graduation rates; the program now boasts 1,896 graduates through the 2023 cohort. Following RAHI graduation, 100% of participants graduate high school and 46% go on to obtain their college certificates or degrees. 

While Pauling is the only year-round employee, about 30 people are involved with each cohort, including faculty, counselors and mentors. Pauling added that most faculty return year after year to work with the incredibly rewarding program. Through the program’s 40+ years, dedicated faculty like Wartes and Pauling have invested their time and talents to inspire the next generation of RAHI alumni. 

The impact of the program extends far beyond graduation rates. Best said by 2023 RAHI graduate, Madison Grapengeter, “[RAHI] has changed my perspective on so many things and I’m glad to know it was made possible by such amazing people.”

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