KPC focuses on success in face of financial strain

In the face of Alaska’s fiscal crisis, Kenai Peninsula College has been working to maintain a quality education with decreased funding, according to the college’s annual report which spans from July 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017.

“Funding for the university has been reduced the last three years,” Gary Turner, the college’s director and CEO said in a letter attached to the annual report. “We hope that trend is coming to an end. We have strategically dealt with these reductions and while KPC may look a bit different we will continue to serve you, our students, stakeholders and customers, in the outstanding way we have done over the last 53 years.”

According to the report, the Kenai Peninsula Borough provided over $750,000 to the college in FY17, totalling over $11 million in the last 25 years.

The report highlights the addition of new buildings at renovations at the Kenai River and Kachemak Bay Campuses, but says that finances have shifted the school’s focus.

“Due to the state’s fiscal condition, we don’t expect to see such major changes in the foreseeable future,” Turner said. “However, while physical infrastructure is important and we continue to maintain our facilities in excellent condition, it is the resources inside the buildings that make the difference and are the key to our success.”

Some of these successes include the publication of Professor Jeff Meyers’ book “The Criminal-Terror Nexus in Chechnya,” and KBC Director Carol Swartz’s induction into the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame in May

In February, the college held it’s first “Exploring KPC event,” which brought high school students, counselors and community members to the campus.

“The event focused on highlighting degree programs, courses and campus services offered at the college,” the report states. “’Exploring KPC’ had representation from 17 degree programs, six campus departments and the KRC Student Union … Sessions covered a variety of topics, from Alaska Native Languages and Corrections, to Financial Aid and tours of the Residence Hall.”

The report also highlighted successes of the Educational Technology Team, which created a “KPC Faculty Orientation” for all instructors to utilize throughout the year.

Throughout the year, the college hosted a total of 4,288 videos for faculty lectures, staff training and student assignments. They can all be accessed online.

“We could not do all these wonderful things without the public’s support,” Turner said. “… The continuing support from our neighbors is ever present on our campuses and extension sites, and the various communities we serve. Because of this support, KPC has strong enrollments, and increasing graduation and retention rates. We also continue to see increasing numbers of rural and Alaska Native students and veteran students choose KPC.”

Reach Kat Sorensen at kat.sorensen@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Kenai Middle School Principal Vaughn Dosko points out elements of a redesign plan for the front of the school on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Work soon to begin on Kenai Middle security upgrades

The security upgrades are among several key KPBSD maintenance projects included in a bond approved by borough voters in October 2022.

The Kenai Fire Department headquarters are photographed on Feb. 13, 2018, in Kenai, Alaska. (Peninsula Clarion file)
Kenai adds funds, authorizes contract for study of emergency services facility

The building shared by Kenai’s police and fire departments hasn’t kept up with the needs of both departments, chief says.

Kenai Parks and Recreation Director Tyler Best shows off a new inclusive seesaw at Kenai Municipal Park in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, June 27, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai awards contract to develop Parks and Rec master plan

The document is expected to guide the next 20 years of outdoors and recreation development in the city.

Balancing Act’s homepage for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. (Screenshot)
KPBSD launches ‘Balancing Act’ software, calls for public to balance $17 million deficit

The district and other education advocates have said that the base student allocation has failed to keep up with inflation.

Natural gas processing equipment is seen at Furie Operating Alaska’s central processing facility in Nikiski, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Harvest Alaska announces proposed redevelopment of Kenai LNG terminal

The project could deliver additional natural gas supplies to the Southcentral market as early as 2026, developers said.

A depth marker is almost entirely subsumed by the waters of the Kenai River in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
After delay, borough adopts updated flood insurance maps

The assembly had previously postponed the legislation amid outcry from the Kenai River Keys Property Owners Association.

Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche points to where the disconnected baler ram has bent piping at the Central Peninsula Landfill in Soldotna, Alaska, on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough approves federal request to fund recycling redesign

A large baler that was used for recycling was recently left inoperable by a catastrophic failure in its main ram.

A person is detained in Anchorage in recent days by officials from the FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (FBI Anchorage Field Office photo)
Trump’s immigration raids arrive in Alaska, while Coast Guard in state help deportations at southern US border

Anchorage arrests touted by FBI, DEA; Coast Guard plane from Kodiak part of “alien expulsion flight operations.”

Jamiann S’eiltin Hasselquist asks participants to kneel as a gesture to “stay grounded in the community” during a protest in front of the Alaska State Capitol on Wednesday focused on President Donald Trump’s actions since the beginning of his second term. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Trump protest rally at Alaska State Capitol targets Nazi-like salutes, challenges to Native rights

More than 120 people show up as part of nationwide protest to actions during onset of Trump’s second term.

Most Read