Grant expands rural broadband access
Oct. 27, 2025
A multi-year project led by the College of Indigenous Studies has expanded broadband access at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ's rural campuses and built the foundation for information technology career paths in rural communities. The Connecting Minority Communities pilot program is funded by a $2.97 million award from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
At the heart of the initiative was broadband expansion. New routers, switches, wireless access points and firewalls were installed at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ facilities in Bethel, Dillingham, Nome, Kotzebue and Tok. In some communities, connectivity speed doubled, which enabled more reliable access to online learning, video conferencing and digital collaboration. Instructors quickly noticed the difference: The upgrades allowed them to play videos during classes and use Zoom to teach their distance courses. In a survey about the upgrades, students, staff and faculty reported smoother workflows, fewer disruptions and more consistent access to online platforms.
In addition to upgrading the infrastructure, the project increased technical support staff for the rural sites.
The grant also aimed to create workforce pathways through a six-month paid internship program for students. While some hurdles delayed full implementation, one intern was successfully placed from the Bristol Bay Campus, gaining real-world IT experience. The project team plans to expand the internship program to address the need for an IT workforce in rural ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ.
The grant concludes in January 2026, but CIS hopes to build on the momentum to continue to bridge the digital divide in rural communities.