The success of and an “unexpected consequence” of the Alaska Scholars program.

Below is a brief summary on UA Scholars. The attached file (UAR pages 47-60.pdf) contains comprehensive annual statistics published in the UA in Review on UA Scholars attendance, retention, major, high school and ethnicity.

Enrollment
The percent of eligible scholars attending the University of Alaska has increased since the start of the program in 1999 from 33% to 41%. UA is enrolling almost four times as many top 10% students than prior to the UA Scholars program. In 1998 it was estimated that 14% of high school graduates in the top 10% attended UA, or about 100 students, compared to the 2001 number of 370 scholars.

UA has received 651 cards from the 913 eligible Spring 2002 graduates. Of those 472 say they plan to attend UA and currently 325 are admitted. UA expects between 370 and 400 new scholars will enroll in Fall 2002.

Just over 70% of UA Scholars enrolled at UA come from borough and city school districts. Student from borough and city schools make up 80% of the eligible scholars. Student from rural districts and private school make up the remaining 20% of eligible UA Scholars. Compared to students from borough and city school, a slightly higher proportion of eligible students from rural districts take advantage of the UA Scholars program.

Student Quality
First-year retention of UA Scholars is 8 percentage points higher than other UA first-time freshmen, 77% avg. compared to 69% avg. First year retention for open admission peer institutions is 72%. UA Scholars contribute to a more diverse freshmen class. Seventeen percent of UA Scholars are Alaska Natives compared to just over 12% for the total UA student body. UA Scholars have higher average ACT and SAT test scores than the average UA freshmen.

However, like other first-time freshmen, there are some UA Scholars who lack the academic preparation necessary to be admitted into some baccalaureate programs. These scholars are advised and admitted into the general associates degree program. To assist students, all campuses deliver remedial course work to provide students the opportunity to pick-up areas missed in high school. Currently 35% of all recent AK high school graduates take at least 1 remedial course. Between 5 and 10% of UA scholars take remedial courses.

Additionally, the Kuskokwim campus in Bethel has implemented a program to help build the necessary academic skills of under prepared scholars. The faculty and staff are commended for their commitment to the success of these students. And, more importantly the program serves as a model to increase success for other under prepared students willing to take the challenge of higher education. For some villages, the single scholar attending UA is the only connection to UA and higher education. Success or failure of that one UA scholar will have a tremendous impact on the view of UA and higher education in his/her village.

It is important for the future of this state that the college going rate of high school graduates increases and that the college success is seen as attainable for the students willing and able to learn. It will take significant time for the K-12 system to assure every student graduates with the necessary academic skills for college. In all likelihood, during our lifetime there will continue to be students that come to the university under qualified, but willing and able to succeed. It is the state’s and UA’s responsibility to provide them that opportunity.