Upward Bound Alaska

As we ended our time in Washington, D.C., our Upward Bound student leaders toured the United States Capitol. It was a fitting close to a week spent exploring the history, sacrifice, and civic life that shape our nation.

Standing inside one of the most iconic symbols of American democracy, students reflected on the journey that brought them here, from community conversations in Anchorage, to memorials honoring those who gave everything, to the very building where the laws of this country are debated and decided. The Capitol wasn't just a landmark. It was a reminder that government is made up of people, and that the decisions made inside those walls affect communities like theirs back home in Alaska.

As we made our way to New York City, students took time to capture their D.C. experience in their journals, putting into words what they saw, felt, and took away from a week that asked a lot of them. Those reflections are their own, but the themes we heard echoed across every page: gratitude, purpose, and a growing sense of what they want to carry forward.

For many of our students, this week made civic engagement feel real and within reach. They leave Washington understanding that they, too, have a role to play in writing what comes next.

Next stop: New York City.

UAF College of Engineering and Mines
University of Alaska Fairbanks

On Sunday, our Upward Bound student leaders carried that same spirit of reflection into one of the most powerful days of the trip.

From the solemn grounds of Arlington National Cemetery and the Changing of the Guard, to the Iwo Jima Memorial, the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial, and the historic streets of Alexandria and Mount Vernon, students were surrounded by stories of sacrifice, duty, and resilience spanning centuries of American history.

Walking the same ground where history was made from the founding era of George Washington to the heroes of World War II to the lives lost on September 11 our students began to see the full arc of what this country has been through, and what it has asked of its people. These weren't just history lessons they were personal. They were conversations about courage, loss, gratitude, and what it means to show up for something bigger than yourself.

As our students head into the second half of this journey, they carry with them not just memories, but a deeper sense of purpose rooted in where we've been as a nation. We can't wait to see how they bring these lessons home to Alaska.

On Friday, our Upward Bound student leaders explored leadership, community, and civic engagement in Alaska. On Saturday they continued that journey by visiting some of our nation’s most significant memorials and monuments in Washington, D.C.

Standing at sites that honor sacrifice, service, perseverance, and the ongoing pursuit of freedom provided students with an opportunity to reflect on the individuals and events that have shaped our country. These experiences encouraged meaningful conversations about leadership, citizenship, and the responsibility each generation has to contribute to their communities.

As our students walk through history, they are gaining a deeper understanding of how ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact. We look forward to seeing how these lessons inspire them to lead and serve in Alaska and beyond.

UAF College of Engineering and Mines
Upward Bound Alaska

Twenty Upward Bound student leaders kicked off our Leadership, Community, and Civics session in Anchorage before heading to the East Coast. Along the way, they explored what it means to be engaged citizens and community leaders while building connections with organizations that make a difference right here in Alaska.

A big thank you to our Anchorage partners for sharing their time, knowledge, and experiences with our students today. Your willingness to connect, inspire, and invest in the next generation helped make this an impactful start to their journey.

We are grateful for the strong community partnerships that help our students see leadership in action and discover the many ways they can make a positive impact in their own communities.

Upward Bound empowers students to build their future through a college degree, a technical certification, or both.

From career exploration and in-demand certifications to getting a real feel for campus life, our students get an up-close look at the many directions their future can take.

During a recent campus experience, students discovered just how closely their communities are connected to the careers they are interested in pursuing. and left with a vision not only of where they are headed, but of how they can make a real difference when they get there.

https://youtu.be/KEDauCGY198?si=adx64iPWHlISw-sr

UAF College of Engineering and Mines Rural Student ServicesUAF Community & Technical CollegeUAF Student Support Services

Upward Bound Campus Experience: February 2026 Students from Bethel Regional High School and Chevak High School visited UAF in the Spring semester of 2026. They talked to our staff about what they look fo...

Wisdom lives in the people around us! Our Upward Bound students at Bethel Regional High School are proving that some of the most powerful lessons come from simply sitting down and listening.

Through the "Ask the Elder" project, our young scholars connected with elders in their community, asking big questions, hearing hard-won stories, and discovering a living history.

These students aren't just preparing for post-secondary success; they are learning who they are and where they come from. And that is the foundation on which everything else is built.
UAF College of Engineering and Mines Rural Student Services UAF Student Support Services

Good morning beautiful Brevig Mission!

Civic engagement in action! Our Upward Bound students from Bethel Regional High School, North Pole High School, Shishmaref School, and Seward High School had the privilege of meeting with Mr. Chris Brown, Legislative Correspondent to Senator Dan Sullivan, to discuss issues close to home. They shared their concerns about water quality and access, sanitation infrastructure, the impacts of erosion, fuel storage capacity, and new opportunities with Alaska's port expansion. We are so proud of these students for using their voices!
Thank you to Mr. Brown for taking the time to hear from students, answer questions and offer advice to our young people.
UAF College of Engineering and Mines

We'd like to acknowledge the thoughtful and meaningful “Ask an Elder” community engagement project led by our Bethel Upward Bound students. Through this initiative, students build competencies in designing interview questions, practicing active listening, and engaging respectfully with community elders, while advancing career exploration through exposure to a range of career pathways and professional experiences.

Thank you to everyone who has supported UAF Upward Bound during UA Giving Day. Your generosity keeps us going and keeps students moving forward.

The work continues, and we are excited to walk alongside our students as they discover their path — the best is yet to come! 🎓



https://givingday.alaska.edu/giving-day/112584/donate?des=764533&dept=112608&fbclid=IwY2xjawQxXs5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFoMlpkVWtDMG50emtaQ1Boc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHv5gyMr6nxgop510LeIgVuufMxQYrX7VvYcX6HD1YqVra5wimnzPOafvgZx1_aem_XUs6z0fhG8ZFcTR6Mmq_3Q