Kawerak is excited to announce our new hire, Denali Whiting as the new Caleb Scholars Program Director! Denali has been highly involved in the program through the years starting as a scholar, serving on the steering committee and now administering the program. She comes with great insight about the program and is definitely doing her part to fulfill Caleb Pungowiyi’s legacy in this new role. Welcome Denali!
“Uvaŋa Qapvik, my name is Denali Whiting and I am excited to announce my new role as the Caleb Scholars Program Director! I am from Kotzebue, where I grew up with my grandparents and extended family subsisting along the Kotzebue Sound. I have a degree in Alaska Native Studies with a concentration on Cultural Forms of Expression from UAF.
I am grateful to have a dynamic history with the Caleb Scholars program, including being a scholarship recipient from 2012-2015, filling the Steering Committee alumni seat from 2017-2020, and now serving as the Director. The support that I received from the Program through internship opportunities, peer networking, travel grants, speaking engagements and professional development, and avenues to continue to stay connected as an alumni has contributed to my success as a young Iñupiaq professional and I look forward to giving back to our students and communities using this platform. Caleb’s legacy of advocacy for our culture and environment empowers me and is something I take to heart moving forward in this position.”
