“Dear APU Staff, Faculty, and Students
On December 19th, the APU Board of Trustees took action to partner with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. This joint effort, building on years of success and the rich legacy established by APU’s Founder and Trustees, allows APU to emerge as a dynamic educational institution with new and expanded programs. Our effort is to prepare our students for success in today’s workforce. APU and the Consortium are adding new members to the Board of Trustees bringing additional energy, skills, and a wealth of experience from communities and tribal affiliations across Alaska. APU will also benefit from the robust resources brought through the Consortium’s expertise to evaluate options for tribal college designation and increased university funds.
The Consortium, APU’s UMed District neighbor, enjoys a strong informal partnership with APU. The Consortium is the largest Tribal Health Organization in the United States employing over 2,800 staff to provide health care, telemedicine, education, technical assistance, and rural sanitation services throughout Alaska. It is known for innovative solutions addressing the unique challenges of Alaska including health research, telehealth technology, clinical specialists, and environmental health.
There are many exciting opportunities ahead of us for a future of learning, collaborative research, and new programs. We look forward to the opportunity to meet the needs of Alaska today and in the future. While the future may bring some changes, please be assured that we are at the beginning of a robust evaluation and strategic planning process focused on enhancing and expanding our programs. We anticipate that students who have already committed to specific degree programs will be able to complete those as planned. Through the partnership, we will be a stronger university with new opportunities.
We are honored that you are along with us on this journey. On behalf of the APU Board of Trustees, we wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season. We look forward to your safe return for the next term. “
Sincerely,
LeeAnn Cooper Garrick Harry McDonald
Chair, Board of Trustees Vice Chair, Board of Trustees
