The IỊisaġvik College Mission and Vision Statement
TIKISAKSRAQ | Vision:
Ikayuutauluta Nunaaqqiñun Suaŋŋaktaaġlugit Iḷisaġnikunlu Suraġallasiñikunlu.
To Help Build Strong Communities through Education and Training.
SIVUNIQ | Mission:
IỊisaġvik College iỊisalluataġviqaqtitchiruq iḷisavsaallasiniġmun, savaaqallasiñiġmun suli sum savagnaġniŋagun iỊisaġviqaqhutiŋ sivunmun suli suaŋŋaktaallavlugu Iñupiat iñuuniaġusiat, Iñupiuraaġniŋat, piqpagiraŋisigun, suli piraġausiŋisigun.
Iḷisaġvik College provides quality post-secondary academic, career and technical education in a learning environment that perpetuates and strengthens Iñupiat culture, language, values and traditions.
Naparuq ikayuutauvłuni iḷisaqtuanun suli naupkaqługi iḷitchiḷḷuataŋaruat suli anniqsuutaullasiŋaruat savaktiksrat North Slope-miḷu State of Alaska-miḷu.
It is dedicated to serving its students and developing a well-educated and trained workforce that meet the human resource needs of North Slope employers and the state of Alaska.
Unapologetically Iñupiaq: Values, Traditions, and Culture
Iḷisaġvik celebrates being Unapologetically Iñupiaq, incorporating Iñupiaq values into all areas of the College, knowing these values make its students and educational community stronger, more cohesive, and successful. Being “Unapologetically Iñupiaq” means that everyone is welcome, but by electing to attend Iḷisaġvik, students are going to experience an Iñupiaq experience. “Unapologetically Iñupiaq” means exercising the sovereign's inherent freedom to educate our community through and supported by our Iñupiaq worldview, values, knowledge and protocols. It is Iñupiaq to be respectful to all people. Our Iñupiaq culture is what provides Iḷisaġvik its status as a tribal college. Being true to the core values of Iñupiaq culture will ensure Iḷisaġvik remains a contributing member of the community. By helping to strengthen the language and traditions of the Iñupiat, Iḷisaġvik fulfills its role as a distinctly Indigenous institution that aims to support the local ways of life, preparing students culturally and economically for the 21st century. Iḷisaġvik’s goal is to grow successful graduates who incorporate traditional values into the workforce, on the land, in the home, and in daily life.
Accreditation and Authorization
Iḷisaġvik College is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), one of six regional higher education accrediting associations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Iḷisaġvik College is authorized to operate by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education in accordance with Chapter 14.48 of the Alaska Statutes and its implementing regulations. Iḷisaġvik College is the only sanctioned tribal college in Alaska and it is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC).
Land Acknowledgment
Iḷisaġvitkuayaat nalunaiġukkaat iñuuniaġuutilaaqput savaguutilaaqpullu nunaŋanni Iñupiat. Nunuuraiḷaakun Iñupiagurugut tainnamik qiksigigivut iñuit, iñuuniaġniq, niġrutit, nuna suli taġiuq.
Iḷisaġvik College would like to acknowledge that we live and work on the land of the Iñupiat. We are unapologetically Iñupiaq and we honor the people, culture, animals, land, and ocean.
Academic Freedom
Integral to its mission and values, Iḷisaġvik College supports the concept of academic freedom to ensure the excellence of the College’s instructional programs. Iḷisaġvik recognizes the right of each individual faculty member to exercise considerable freedom in the application of their professional expertise in the classroom. Instructors may present course materials that are controversial or uncomfortable. While students are not expected to change their own personal opinions or beliefs, they are required to complete all assignments and activities related to the course. The principle of academic freedom is to foster open minds, creative imaginations, adventurous spirits, and a spirit of inquiry and scholarly criticism within the Iḷisaġvik community.
Iḷisaġvik adheres to the principles of academic freedom and independence that protect its students, staff, and faculty from inappropriate influences, pressures, and harassment that impact the integrity of the College’s learning environment. At Iḷisaġvik, freedom of speech and expression is not absolute: verbal and written speech that is libelous, slanderous, incites to riot, or is unlawfully harassing is not protected.
In affirming the principles of academic freedom and free expression, Iḷisaġvik recognizes that our faculty, staff, and students are subject to applicable state and federal laws. In addition, faculty and staff must adhere to Iḷisaġvik’s Employee Handbook, and students must adhere to Iḷisaġvik’s Student Handbook, which shall be consistent with this statement and the principles expressed herein.
Iñupiaqatigiigñiq: Iñupiat Values
The following are the Traditional Iñupiat Values adopted by the Elders in our community.
- Paaqłakkutaiġñiq | Resolution of Conflict
- Naglikktutigaġniq | Compassion
- Paammaaġiigñiq | Cooperation
- Iḷagiigñiq | Family and Kinship
- Piqpakkutiqaġniq suli Qiksiksrautiqaġniq Utuqqanaanun Allanullu | Love and Respect for Our Elders and One Another
- Qiñuiññiq | Humility
- Quvianġuniq | Humor
- Aŋuniallaniq | Hunting Traditions
- Iñupiuraallaniq | Knowledge of Our Language
- Qiksiksrautiqaġniq Iñuuniaġvigmun | Respect for Nature
- Aviktuaqatigiigñiq | Sharing
- Ukpiqqutiqaġniq | Spirituality