Justina Wilhelm
President of Iḷisaġvik College
Assumed office
October 1, 2020
Preceded byPearl Kiyawn Nageak Brower
Personal details
Children4
Alma materUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
University of New England
OccupationAcademic administrator, social worker, community leader

Justina Wilhelm is an American academic administrator, community leader, and social worker who has served as president since 2020 of Iḷisaġvik College, located in Utqiaġvik, Alaska and the only tribal college in the state. She had previously served as a member of the North Slope Borough School District's advisor council and the Utqiaġvik City Council. Earlier she helped direct behavioral health at the jurisdiction's health department.

Education

Wilhelm was born to Rosanna Lemen.[1] Since the age of 8, she was raised by her mother in Utqiaġvik, Alaska (formerly Barrow). Wilhelm graduated from Barrow High School.

She earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. After returning for graduate studies, she earned a Master of Social Work from University of New England in 2018. Wilhelm is the first in her family to have graduated from college.[2]

Career

After college, Wilhelm returned to Utqiaġvik to work. She served 14 years as a social worker at the North Slope Health Department, and was deputy director of behavioral health for seven of those years.

In 2017, Wilhelm joined Iḷisaġvik College as executive director of institutional advancement. She was promoted to dean of institutional advancement and then vice president. In 2020, Wilhelm was named by the North Slope Borough as the next president of the institution, succeeding Pearl Kiyawn Nageak Brower.[3] She became president on October 1, 2020.[2]

Wihelm has also been an active community leader. She served on the North Slope Borough School District's advisor council, the North Slope Borough Personnel Hearing Board, Arctic Women in Crisis Board, Eben Hopson Memorial Scholarship Committee, and the Utqiaġvik City Council.[3]

Personal life

Wihelm is an imiun, and the wife of whaling captain Ross Makalik Wilhelm. They have four children together. Since 2007, she has served on his crew.[3][2]

References

  1. ↑ Koenig, Ravenna (2018-11-10). "Fall whaling in Utqiaġvik: joy, excitement and this year, mourning too". Alaska Public Media. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  2. 1 2 3 Kellie, Cordelia (2020-10-14). "Iḷisaġvik College Welcomes President Justina Wilhelm, Thanks Dr. Brower for Service". Tribal College Journal of American Indian Higher Education. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  3. 1 2 3 Oliver, Shady Grove (June 12, 2020). "Wilhelm appointed Ilisaġvik president". The Arctic Sounder. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
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