Iḷisaġvik College president Justina Wilhelm is pleased and honored to announce that the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) has reaffirmed Iḷisaġvik’s accreditation after the fall 2024, year seven evaluation. This reaffirmation confirms that Iḷisaġvik College is meeting its obligations to the educational goals of its stakeholders by maintaining regional accreditation.

In its notice to the college, the commission commended the college staff, faculty, and board for their commitment to developing a strong sense of community and belonging, noting, “This empowers faculty and staff with the freedom to develop new ideas and the ability to make meaningful decisions to positively impact operations of the college.” The commission also highlighted the college’s thoughtful leadership in “defining Iñupiaq values and learning principles which have been institutionalized through policy and practice and operationalized through onboarding, professional development, evaluations, and degree requirements that ensure learning and sustain Iñupiaq culture.”

Other areas that the commission commented on were the college’s strategic planning process and the extensive involvement of stakeholders. The report also underscored the “deep commitment and dedicated engagement” of the college’s board of trustees, noting that there is an impressive degree of collaboration. The college’s effort to recruit and retain students was also commended.

President Wilhelm acknowledged the hard work and dedication of Iḷisaġvik’s accreditation committee, as well as all faculty, staff, board members, and students, who have all contributed to this accomplishment. “Our successful reaffirmation by the NWCCU is a testament to the unwavering commitment of board, faculty, staff, students and community partners,” said Wilhelm. “It validates our dedication to providing culturally relevant, high-quality education that empowers our learners and strengthens our existence as a Tribal College. We will continue to build upon this foundation, ensuring our institution remains a beacon of opportunity and uplifts our people.”