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Ilisagvik welcomes Brower as permanent president

June 29th 7:54 pm | Hannah Heimbuch Print this article   Email this article   Create a Shortlink for this article

Ilisagvik College of Barrow announced last week that Pearl Kiyawn Nageak Brower has been appointed Ilisagvik President. Brower has spent the last three months serving as Interim President, filling both that vacancy and her own position as Dean of Students and Institutional Development.

Those months were exciting ones, Brower told the Sounder in May, having returned from maternity leave in March to find herself in a dual role.

But serving the college in myriad ways is nothing new to Brower. Aside from the aforementioned positions she has also served as Director of External Relations and Development.

She was also a finalist during the College's presidential search two years ago. Now, with direct experience under her belt, Ilisagvik has made her new role official.

"Pearl Brower demonstrated strong leadership as Interim President," said Ida Angasan, Board of Trustees Chair. "In appointing Pearl as the College's next President, the Board of Trustees recognized that we ahe a strong, experienced candidate, an Inupiaq from the North Slope, who brings both a working knowledge of the College and an understanding of the region, its people and its needs."

Brower, who grew up Barrow and Northern California, earned two bachelor's and one master's degree while studying at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her undergraduate studies were in Alaska Native Studies and Anthropology, while her master's degree is in Alaska Native and Rural Development.

Brower sees Ilisagvik's future as a time of expansion and foundation building, seeking new facilities and educational programs. She also highlighted the college's responsibility to identify and serve the needs of the North Slope.

"I am honored to serve as President of Ilisagvik College," Brower said in a release. "We have made great strides in the past few months focusing on the institution's policies and procedures, and fostering a healthy, vibrant College community. I look forward to working with our students, faculty and staff to strengthen the College's abilities to provide culturally responsive education so that students can complete their education and participate in a self-sustainable economy, without losing ties to our culture, language, values and traditions."

Ilisagvik College is 17 years old, and accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities as a two-year community college. It is the only federally-recognized tribal college in Alaska.

It is currently exploring the possibility of offering a four-year degree program in education — one example of future expansion options.

"Pearl has the vision, capability and energy to fulfill the strategic plans set by the Board," Angasan said. "We are confident that she will serve Ilisagvik College well as President."

Hannah Heimbuch can be reached at hheimbuch@reportalaska.com.

 

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