A capstone event is a culminating activity or milestone that marks the completion of a journey. We had the opportunity to interview Dr. Benjamin Rush, assistant professor in the outdoor leadership (OL) program at Prince William Sound College (PWSC), about his recent capstone expedition to Denali with alumnus Rafael Alfaro and student Evan Clupper.
Interview with Rafael Alfaro, a graduate and adjunct instructor in the outdoor leadership program, about his capstone expedition to Denali National Park and Preserve with Dr. Benjamin Rush and Evan Clupper. Rafael plans to attempt Denali again next season, this time with skis instead of snowshoes!
Outdoor leadership student, Hannah Bogdan, is interning at Awesome Life Academy, a nonprofit organization for adults with special needs. Hannah writes the curriculum and leads education days. She is also involved in running the mentoring program.
Frank Schweers is interning with the Lands and Planning Division at Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve as part of his degree program requirements in Outdoor Leadership, Associate of Applied Science.
Samantha Eleshansky, a high school student from Cordova, is studying Introduction to Oceanography at PWSC, with tuition and housing covered by the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development's American Rescue Plan Grant. She thanks her biology teacher, Mr. Westing, for sharing this opportunity with his class.
James Goudreau, an adjunct faculty instructor for Outdoor Leadership, has built his career around recreation and environmental studies.
PWSC alumnus Rafael Alfaro and student Evan Clupper recently led a capstone trip to Denali National Park and Preserve with Dr. Benjamin Rush, assistant professor of outdoor leadership. For Evan, the experience surpassed his expectations.
We are pleased to introduce Dr. Stanley Herman as the latest addition to our team at PWSC, serving as the Museum & Community Engagement Coordinator. Dr. Herman holds a doctorate and master's degree in Cultural Anthropology and Cultural Resource Management. He will teach courses next spring and wants to spark informed discussions by asking thought-provoking questions and integrating Indigenous knowledge into his teachings.
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Dennis Humphrey has been appointed our full-time college director.
This fall, Dr. Dennis Humphrey, associate professor of English, teaches the Literature of the United States I (ENGL A205) course at PWSC. Enrolling in this class provides significant advantages for students. It satisfies academic prerequisites and caters to personal interests while offering opportunities for cultural exploration. Best of all, no textbook is required as all readings are provided for free through the course shell, and most lessons offer an audio version for added convenience.
