Outer Coast is a two-year liberal arts college on the Sheldon Jackson Campus that has just concluded the second year of its undergraduate program.
The student body includes about 30 students across first- and second-year cohorts, about half of whom hail from Alaska. Its mission is to provide world-class education to under-served students. The institution follows the Nunnian model of education — a progressive, holistic approach focusing on three pillars: academics, service/labor and self-governance.
Outer Coast recently welcomed the new chair of physical sciences, Jordan Kennedy, originally from the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in northwest Montana. She's taught a class on Indigenous futurism.
Students take classes across the sciences, philosophy and Indigenous studies, including Lingít language, Alaska Native culture and oral literature. The coursework also incorporates learning song, dance and art styles. Students may take electives such as archaeology or ecology, as well as complete a personal project, similar to a thesis, that has a strong community or service component. Courses are small and discussion-based, often connecting academic work to Sitka’s culture, history and environment.
Students also engage in local volunteer and service projects as part of their regular routine. Future projects include continuing to restore the ANB Cemetery, renovation of the Kaxátjaa Hít, or Shattering Herring House, working with Sitka Trail Works to maintain trails around town, and volunteering at upcoming celebrations such as Indigenous Peoples Day, Orange Shirt Day and Elizabeth Peratrovich Day.
Outer Coast offers a Summer Seminar for high school juniors, seniors and recently graduated Alaska students. The program is a shorter, condensed session that includes community projects during the first half of the day, often outdoors, and classes in the second half that give students a taste of college-level academics.
To learn more or attend one of Outer Coast’s community lunches, visit OuterCoast.org or email info@OuterCoast.org
