Their goal was to create a “school to life” program that would help students discover their strengths, build confidence, and find direction while remaining connected to their families, communities, and cultures. This shared commitment led to the establishment of Alaska EXCEL in 2012.

The early years required determination, creativity, and strong partnerships. Sessions took place on college campuses, at work sites, and in partner district schools. Each experience gave students opportunities to explore careers, practice life skills, and understand how their education could help them reach their goals. From the beginning, the dream was to make these opportunities available to rural students across Alaska.

Results soon began to emerge. In Kuspuk School District, graduation rates rose from 30% before students began participating in EXCEL to 75% within four years. Although participation was voluntary, nearly every middle and high school student in the district attended multiple EXCEL sessions each year. Learning was becoming more relevant as students connected graduating from high school with careers and opportunities they had not previously known were possible. 

Today, that statewide vision is coming to life. Alaska EXCEL has grown into a network of school districts, industry, education, and community partnerships that opens doors for rural youth. Through urban living sessions, career and technical education, leadership development, and continued mentorship, students gain practical experience and support as they prepare for adulthood. They can earn high school and college credits, industry certifications, and skills that help them move toward further education, training, and employment. 

The impact continues beyond graduation. A 2022 alumni study found that 94% of Alaska EXCEL alumni remained in Alaska, with 70% living in rural communities. These findings reinforce the connection between investing in rural students and strengthening Alaska’s future. Alaska EXCEL is helping prepare the next generation of Alaska’s workers and leaders, young people who bring their skills, knowledge, and commitment to communities across the state. 

As Alaska EXCEL’s reach has grown, so has its impact on families and communities. More students have discovered new interests, found direction, and begun pursuing futures they once may not have imagined. Their achievements are helping create generational change, expanding what younger siblings, family members, and future students see as possible for their own lives. 

What began as a shared commitment among rural educators continues to grow through the students whose lives are changing. Alaska EXCEL’s purpose remains the same: Education for life. The statewide dream is becoming a reality, one student, one opportunity, and one generation at a time.