(Anchorage, Alaska)–As part of the mission to grow innovative programs that are responsive to the workforce needs of the state, as well as growing Alaskan and Alaska Native professionals from within our state, Alaska Pacific University has created a new undergraduate certificate in Alaska Rural Management (ARM). APU’s certificate is designed to improve access to management training and to provide relevant education for community leaders, tribal administrators, and managers representing the broad scope of Alaska’s industries: government, utilities, technology, transportation and beyond.
Across Alaska, rural managers are responsible for overseeing organizations that impact the life, health, and safety of their community members. The ARM certificate addresses the needs identified by the Denali Commission and the subsequent Alaska Rural Manager Initiative (2016) by focusing on “the unique challenges and needs of rural managers who are collectively responsible for more than a billion dollars’ worth of infrastructure in rural Alaska” (Denali Commission, 2012 Status Report). The certificate combines introductory studies in business administration, budgeting, entrepreneurship, organizational behavior, and workplace ethics.
Academic Dean Dr. Esther Beth Sullivan explains the benefits of the program: “APU’s Alaska Rural Management certificate is distinctive in providing a crucial lens for understanding the complex array of governance systems that shape Alaska Native experiences, organizations, and entities – providing important perspective for rural managers.”
For many rural managers, leaving their communities to pursue higher education is not a viable option. The distinctive and convenient online, evening format of the ARM Certificate program enables managers across Alaska pursue higher education while they are working. With foundational coursework in business and Alaska Native governance systems, the program is ideal for staff working in a broad scope of Alaska’s industries, including government, utilities, technology, and transportation. Students are encouraged to connect, network, and identify creative solutions to the unique challenges found in communities throughout the state.
APU is uniquely positioned to contribute to the professional development of Alaska’s rural managers. The university has a strong history of delivering educational opportunities to Rural Alaska, and APU faculty served on Denali Commission’s advisory board for the Alaska Rural Manager Initiative. The university’s strategic partnership with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) brings deep understanding of community needs and capacity as well as extensive professional expertise in the development of relevant coursework.
The ARM certificate program is 18-credits of online courses, offered in accelerated 7-week modules. Full-time students can complete the program in 3 modules (approximately 1.5 semesters). Several financial aid and scholarship options are available.
APU is proud to sponsor the 2018 Rural Alaska Small Business Conference. University representatives will be available at the conference to speak about the ARM program. Program information and applications are also available on the APU website. Companies or organizations wishing to arrange certificate training for a workplace-based or regional cohort of students, contact Kate Hillenbrand, Director of Admissions at admissions@alaskapacific.edu or 1-907-564-8248.
