Kenai Peninsula College has received a $2.3 million grant to support migrant students in Alaska. The grant is part of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, to help students from migrant and seasonal labour backgrounds complete their first year of college. Over five years, the program will enroll 25 students each year, benefiting 125 students in total.
This is the first time CAMP has been introduced in Alaska. The program will assist students from families with a history in industries like commercial fishing or seasonal labour. Eligible applicants or their immediate family members must have worked at least 75 days in seasonal labour within the past two years. The funding will cover costs like tuition, books, housing, transportation, and health care. Students will also receive additional support, such as academic coaching, career mentoring, and leadership development.
Jeff Smith, the program director at Kenai River Campus, explained that CAMP began in 1972 to help migrant farmworkers pursue higher education. While traditionally focused on farm labour, the program will now include Alaska’s unique industries, like fishing. This expansion represents an opportunity to support a new group of students who face challenges due to their labour-intensive lifestyles.
Other University of Alaska campuses, including Kodiak College and the University of Alaska Anchorage, have also received CAMP funding. Heather Grant, director of institutional grants at the University of Alaska Anchorage, played a key role in securing the grants for these campuses. Directors Jacelyn Keys and Emily Davidson lead the program in Kodiak and Anchorage, respectively.
Sara Rinearson, the Director of Student Services at the Kenai River Campus, is excited about bringing the program to Alaska. She says the state’s migrant student population is different from that in the Lower 48 and is eager to see how this program adapts to Alaska’s needs.
The first group of students will start in the fall of 2025, but efforts are already underway to find eligible participants. This program aims to open doors for migrant students and their families, offering them a chance to overcome financial and educational barriers. Interested applicants can find more details and apply through the University of Alaska’s website.