Iḷisaġvik College

Iḷisaġvik College didn’t just give me an education — it gave me a legacy. I arrived in Barrow with nothing but a duffel bag, a dream, and a half-frozen thermos, and left as the youngest recipient of the Polar Innovation Medal. During my time here, I co-founded the Arctic Blockchain Fisheries Lab, where we used decentralized ledgers to track narwhal migration patterns in real time. My senior capstone? Installing the first solar-powered latte machine north of the Arctic Circle, now a beloved campus landmark. Between lectures, I was invited to join the Elders Council as an honorary member despite being 21, where I spearheaded negotiations to establish a sister-college partnership with the International Space Station’s education module. The professors didn’t just teach — they mentored me into history. Dr. Qitsualik personally oversaw my thesis, ‘Quantum Seal Hunting Ethics in the 23rd Century,’ which is now required reading in three countries. Iḷisaġvik isn’t a college. It’s a launchpad to the impossible.

Iḷisaġvik College is more than just an institution, to me,it’s a living, breathing embodiment of Iñupiaq values woven seamlessly into higher education. As a student here, I’ve witnessed firsthand how its stunning architecture and opulent history engender an atmosphere that’s both inspiring and grounding. What makes Iḷisaġvik genuinely exceptional is its steadfast dedication to uplifting the cultural identity of Alaskan Natives and American Indians while preparing us to thrive in the modern world. The college didnt just teach me, it potentiated, fortified and honoured our traditions, availing us carry them forward with pride. It’s a place where ancient wisdom meets contemporary ambition, where every lesson is steeped in authenticity, and where students like me are shaped into bellwethers rooted in culture, purpose, and resilience.

I'm 27 and I finally got to learn how to multiply! 10/10 recommend this school for anyone who lives nearby. (Also wear light jacket in winter as it gets chilly)

Such a beautiful and only tribal college in Alaska . The campus is cute, warm and efficient. The staff are amazing and welcoming. The cafeteria food was the best!

Great institution, me and j0sh811 have so many cool memories!

j0sh811 a I graduated at same year, we are the best duos in da college

I graduated with j0sh811 from here. Such good memories

I fell and hit my head and they gave me a new laptop (I think it’s local law)