Alyeska pledges $500,000 for University of Alaska's science and engineering program

Alyeska President Kevin Hostler, left, at this year's Alaska Federation of Natives convention along with other industry partners who have pledged their support of endowing a chair for ANSEP.

Alyeska Pipeline recently pledged $500,000 across five years’ time toward endowing a chair for the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program.

“Alyeska has a rich history in Alaska engineering,” said Kevin Hostler, Alyeska President and CEO. “I am proud of our commitment to preparing the next generation of engineers who will work to solve future technical challenges facing our state’s various industries.”

Alyeska is the first donor to step up to the $2 million Rasmuson Foundation challenge grant for the endowed chair for the engineering program, commonly called “ANSEP.” Once fully funded, the endowment will create a full-time, year-round faculty member dedicated to advancing science and engineering opportunities for Alaska Native students.

ANSEP is a longitudinal program that works with students from the time they’re sophomores in high school all the way into graduate school. The program has been proven to increase university recruitment and retention rates through hands-on high school outreach initiatives, rigorous summer bridging programs, focused academic learning communities, organized student cohorts, networks of peer and professional mentors, community-based learning, professional internships, undergraduate research projects and graduate school programs.

“Alyeska has been a leader in supporting ANSEP since 1995,” said Dr. Herb Schroeder, ANSEP’s founder and executive director. “Their contribution to the endowed chair helps ensure that there will be a faculty advocate for Native students on our campus in perpetuity.”

Alyeska Pipeline was formed to design, build, operate and maintain the Trans Alaska Pipeline System. The company is an industry leader in maintaining a diverse workforce, with over 20 percent of its workforce being Alaska Native. The company is a longtime supporter of ANSEP and the University of Alaska system, and funds education and workforce development programs that benefit minorities in the fields of science and engineering.