High North Hero 2023: Diane Hirshberg, ISER Director
High North Hero 2023 Diane Hirshberg and leader […]
Improving rural Alaska students’ transition to postsecondary institutions
New research from ISER’s Trang Tran and Dayna DeFeo examined how relationships influence rural Alaska students’ transitions from home communities to postsecondary institutions. Their analysis identified characteristics of the transition processes that seem particular to rural students—in navigating urban places and cultural norms, seeking institutional supports, advocating for self, and forming new social relationships. In all of these experiences, rural identities and community-oriented values emerged as a guiding force for students’ goal-setting, decision-making, interactions, and adjustment. Read more about > Improving rural Alaska students’ transition to postsecondary institutions
UAA and CITC collaborate on guidelines for culturally-responsive practices for early childhood educators
"Guidelines for Culturally-Responsive Reflective Practice in Birth – Five Settings" is a new publication developed to help early childhood educators reflect on culturally-responsive practices in order to identify strengths and areas for continuous improvement. They were developed collaboratively between Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC) and faculty from UAA’s Department of Psychology and Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) as a component of the “Improving Childcare Outcomes Research” project. Read more about > UAA and CITC collaborate on guidelines for culturally-responsive practices for early childhood educators
New report analyzes what Alaska invests in its school facilities
A new analysis of Alaska’s K-12 Capital Spending shows that the state is not spending what is needed to maintain, renovate, and renew its K-12 school buildings. The study, authored by ISER research professor Bob Loeffler, reviews historical K-12 capital spending from state and local sources from Fiscal Year 2000 through Fiscal Year 2020. It details the funding sources Alaska uses for large school maintenance, renovation, and construction projects for both municipal and rural areas. The study illustrates the decline in spending after the current budget crisis hit in 2014, and shows how Alaska’s K-12 capital spending falls short of recommended industry guidelines. Read more about > New report analyzes what Alaska invests in its school facilities
NSF Awards Gerken, DeFeo with grant to study role of science labs
The National Science Foundation has awarded Dr. Sarah Gerken and Dr. Dayna DeFeo a three-year grant to research the role of the introductory biology lab in the general education curriculum. The new project, Identifying the Learning Objectives of Biology Laboratories in the General Education Curriculum and Exploring Gaps Between Objectives and Practice (NSF # 2044101) was awarded through the Division of Undergraduate Education’s Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) program. Read more about > NSF Awards Gerken, DeFeo with grant to study role of science labs
Dr. Diane Hirshberg on challenges to the nation’s education system
How will the Biden administration tackle issues facing education? Dr. Diane Hirshberg, professor of education policy at ISER, provides some insight into the nation’s challenges and possible solutions. Read more about > Dr. Diane Hirshberg on challenges to the nation’s education system
University of the Arctic names Dr. Diane Hirshberg as Vice-President Academic
Dr. Diane Hirshberg has been named Vice-President Academic of the University of the Arctic (UArctic), a collaborative network of universities, colleges, and other organizations committed to higher education and research in and about the North. Hirshberg is Professor of Education Policy at ISER, where she contributes to two of its main research areas: Arctic Communities and Education. Read more about > University of the Arctic names Dr. Diane Hirshberg as Vice-President Academic
Research component of new $650,000 NSF grant will help universities improve experiences for incoming students
The National Science Foundation has selected a collaborative proposal between the University of Alaska Southeast and the University of Alaska Anchorage for a $650,000 competitive award that will provide 22 scholarships for students pursuing 4-year STEM degrees at UAS. The 5-year grant, Increasing the Academic and Career Success of Alaska Native and Rural Students in Science and Math, is the product of a collaborative effort between UAS and UAA faculty and staff. Read more about > Research component of new $650,000 NSF grant will help universities improve experiences for incoming students
Center for Alaska Education Policy Research and UAS Sitka Campus collaborate on supports for student success
The Sitka Campus of the University of Alaska Southeast launched a new program in October designed to improve services for its students, particularly those who need extra support for their college experience. ISER’s Center for Alaska Education Policy Research (CAEPR) worked with a team at UAS Sitka to conceptualize the new project, which is called Strengthening Unique Potential for Progress through Opportunities, Relationships, and Transitions (SUPPORT). Read more about > Center for Alaska Education Policy Research and UAS Sitka Campus collaborate on supports for student success
DeFeo and Gerken explore inquiry-based education in project funded by the NSF
Dr. Dayna DeFeo and Dr. Sarah Gerken have begun publishing preliminary findings from studies undertaken in Transforming Introductory Biology at UAA (TIBUAA), a three-year project funded by the National Science Foundation to help UAA infuse inquiry-based approaches into its undergraduate biology class for non-science majors. Read more about > DeFeo and Gerken explore inquiry-based education in project funded by the NSF