TAF Updates

Feb 22, 2024

Letter from the Executive Director

Aang,

It is with great excitement that I write to you for the first time as the new Executive Director of The Aleut Foundation (TAF). I joined the Foundation in October of last year and it has been a wonderful first couple of months. As a former recipient of the Foundation, I recognize how impactful our programs are for our people.

TAF has been working hard to process scholarship information from our many academic year applicants. Additionally, we received several scholarship applications during our November 30 deadline supporting Winter/Spring applicants. We continue to see students pursuing certification, professional licensures, and more through TAF’s vocational training and career development programs.

For descendants who are in grade school or high school – TAF has several youth programs. We offer Youth Advance Scholarships for athletic, scholastic, or artistic activities, Voyage and ANSEP funding, and the Cash for Good Grades program.

Thinking ahead toward summer means culture camps will be taking place. TAF works to support our partners in their hosting of Unangan culture camps with cultural preservation grants. Additionally, we offer travel scholarships to support shareholder/descendant travel to culture camps.

Also, The Aleut Foundation has a new website!  Our website was re-designed with feedback from our applicants and Student Advisory Council. Most of our programs are processed using our online application system – you can apply for a user profile anytime!

It is an honor and a privilege to take on this role at the Foundation. I look forward to supporting our shareholders and descendants through educational and cultural opportunities.

Qaĝaasakuq,

Kyla Morris
Executive Director
The Aleut Foundation

Academic Achievements & Awards

Honors
  • Vera Lestenkof, Business Administration Human Resource Management – Alaska Career College
  • Sierra McIntire, Psychology – West Valley College
  • Caiden Miller, Civil Engineering – Bellingham Technical College
  • William Rutledge, Business – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Anna Spiering, Pre-Physical Therapy – South College
Exceptional
  • Issac Miles, Business – Alaska Pacific University
  • Deloris Nevzoroff, Interior Architecture and Design – University of Idaho
  • Marilyn Sipary, Interdisciplinary Studies – University of Alaska Fairbanks
  • Logan Thompson, Food and Beverage Industry Management – Johnson and Wales University
Achievement
  • Cassidy Fish, Undeclared – Peninsula College
  • Kayla Kashevarof, Business – University of Alaska Anchorage
  • Jaylene Philemonoff, Medicine – Oregon Institute of Technology
  • Felicia Tetoff, Psychology – Modesto Junior College
  • Dakota Walker, Human Services – University of Alaska Anchorage
Merit
  • Zoe Carpenter, Music – Cuesta College
  • Janelle Christiansen, Business – University of Alaska Anchorage
  • Precious Lestenkof, Art – University of Alaska Fairbanks
  • Chy Maitland-Cilot, Criminal Justice – University of Alaska Anchorage
Part-Time
  • Anna Emanoff, Psychology – Pennsylvania State University
  • Elaina Hooper, Biological Sciences – University of Alaska Fairbanks
  • Roxana Kashatok, Business – Ilisagvik College
  • Kanesia McGlashan-Price, Film – University of Alaska Fairbanks
  • Brandy Merculief, Business – University of Alaska Fairbanks
  • Jordan Standifer, Business – Charter College
  • Serena Stout, Architectural Engineering and Technology – University of Alaska Anchorage
Graduate
  • Kayla Bland, Biological Sciences – Tufts University School of Medicine
  • Alexandra George, Business – University of Akron
  • Madeline Snigaroff, Linguistics – The University of Chicago
  • Kiara Washington, Finance – Liberty University
  • Cody Williams, Education – Cambridge College
High-School Advance Credits
  • Ashley KushinHealth Education – University of Alaska
  • Henry KushinFinance – University of Alaska
Read More Winter 2024
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