Employees of Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium's Leadership Excellence through Advancement and Determination (LEAD) program
Courtesy of ANTHC
Charting Your Course for Tribal Health Leadership? Meet ANTHC
anthc.org
When you’re a world-class health organization serving nearly 200,000 Alaska Native and American Indian people, you know a thing or two about leadership. The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) is the most comprehensive tribal health organization in the United States, offering an array of health services to people around the nation’s largest state. ANTHC’s work includes medical care for Alaskans of all ages, wellness programs, disease research and prevention, rural provider training, and services to bring water and sanitation systems to rural communities.
We know from decades of experience that effective collaboration and outreach to underserved communities require strong leadership capabilities.
One thing that makes ANTHC a premier nonprofit tribal health organization is its groundbreaking training and development opportunities for rising leaders dedicated to meeting the unique health needs of the region. “A vital aspect of our work is our partnership with the tribal health organizations of the Alaska Tribal Health System,” explains Nirvana Ramos, ANTHC’s senior manager of talent development. “We know from decades of experience that effective collaboration and outreach to underserved communities require strong leadership capabilities.”
ANTHC is known for its three customized leadership development initiatives for Alaska Native and Native American health organization employees at various stages in their careers:
Cy Two Elk is a project manager for ANTHC’s Division of Environmental Health and Engineering (DEHE). He is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux Tribe and a Kuyokon Athabascan descendant of an original Cook Inlet Region Inc. enrollee. Two Elk is a graduate of ANTHC’s LEAD (2021) and ANELP (2023) leadership development programs.
Why did you decide to participate in LEAD and ANELP?
It’s important to take advantage of development opportunities, and ANTHC’s programs are designed for building skills that apply directly to our efforts in health services. I’m very committed to the work we do at the consortium, and I try to make the most of initiatives like LEAD and ANELP.
What aspects of the program were the most meaningful for you?
Overall, being able to work on my skill sets while also networking was an invaluable experience in both programs. One aspect of LEAD that made a big difference for me was developing my own project to share infrastructure innovations with a broader audience. I designed a program to teach young people about our advances in construction and engineering so they can see the importance of our work in bringing water and sanitation systems to remote parts of the state. By collaborating with a local university program, we were able to give a number of students their first exposure to health and engineering services.
By collaborating with a local university program, we were able to give a number of students their first exposure to health and engineering services.
What kind of impact did the project make?
The program we collaborated with to deliver the project is the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP). Our work together has continued, so every year we’re providing learning experiences for ANSEP students that generate interest in health care services for Alaska communities. I think it’s especially important that students see what a difference they can make by developing their skills, then giving back to their communities by taking on key health care roles.
What would you like to highlight about ANTHC’s work more generally?
I think many people don’t realize how comprehensive our work is throughout the state. In addition to providing health care services, we are active in prevention outreach and make extensive construction and engineering investments. Our most rural communities have many challenges, including the toll an arctic climate can take on infrastructure. So we need people with dedication and expertise to provide much-needed water and sanitation services that are essential for public health.
What advice do you have for readers who might be interested in health care careers?
I encourage young people to embrace their heritage as they consider their futures. There are a lot of good jobs in organizations that make tribal people a priority. Becoming a successful professional who makes a real impact in their community can be a very rewarding career.
Northwestern Law graduates reception
Courtesy of Northwestern University
STEM + Law + Business = Northwestern MS in Law
law.northwestern.edu
If you’re a STEM professional looking to boost your skill set, Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law has a degree designed to give you a unique edge. The school’s Master of Science in Law program focuses on law, business, and technology, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, intellectual property, business law, and regulatory analysis and strategy. Courses are designed to help students in STEM careers better understand the legal, regulatory, and business implications of their work.
Northwestern Law is one of the nation’s most prestigious law schools, with world-renowned faculty experts and resources.
The MSL curriculum is offered in two formats: a nine-month residential program at Northwestern Law’s downtown Chicago campus and a part-time online offering that can be completed in two to four years. Both options operate on the semester system, with semesters divided into two eight-week terms that conclude with “power weeks” of specialized and workshop-style classes. In addition to in-depth academics, the MSL supports students’ development of job skills such as oral and written communication abilities. Graduates of the program report an overall 98 percent employment rate.
Northwestern Law is one of the nation’s most prestigious law schools, with world-renowned faculty experts and resources. All MSL candidates are encouraged to customize their curriculum with elective classes in their areas of interest that will contribute to their career advancement. Courses are developed to help students adopt an integrated mindset while taking a practical approach with content that includes guest lectures, company-based case studies, and projects rooted in real-world challenges.
Applicants must submit an online application. There are a limited number of merit- and need-based scholarships for full-time residential MSL candidates, and students may also be eligible for loans. For more information, email msl@northwestern.edu.
The impact of the MSL program is well-documented in Northwestern’s online content. The reflections of MSL professors and graduates provide insights about how the program works and can benefit a student’s career outlook and advancement.
How would you describe your experience as an MSL student at Northwestern?
The MSL program is this intersection between business, law, and technology. Most of my work was in mechanical engineering and design, but I didn’t have a lot of the skills that go along with that. The MSL is really an opportunity for STEM professionals to develop a wide range of skills. You’re being taught in a way that relates the law to the things you’re interested in. On top of that, it’s highly elective based, so you’re marrying your STEM background with specific skills to build your career. — Angad Verma, MSL graduate ’18
The MSL is really an opportunity for STEM professionals to develop a wide range of skills. You’re being taught in a way that relates the law to the things you’re interested in.
What kind of approach does the faculty take with online MSL students?
We offer an online experience that builds on the exceptional strengths of our residential program. We’ve developed a variety of techniques and tactics, both pedagogical and technological, in order to bring the students together with one another and to also have significant exchanges and interactions with faculty members. We also have a number of synchronous sessions where I have the opportunity to engage in conversation with students. Overall, they can learn from a diversity of materials and learn in a variety of different ways. — Daniel Rodriguez, MSL professor
As an MSL professor, how do you share individual feedback with online students, and how interactive is the experience?
With our synchronous “sync sessions,” I go into groups of three or four students where I can listen and also participate. In addition, there are lots of other opportunities for students to receive individual feedback from faculty. We do that a number of different ways through the Canvas learning platform. Students should come to the MSL prepared to be collaborative and to develop camaraderie! — Sue Provenzano, MSL professor
What made you decide to apply for the MSL program, and how does it teach STEM professionals about the law?
Throughout my regulatory career, every single role I’ve been in has been a cross-functional role — working with marketing, sales, supply chain, and a great deal with my legal team. It’s important to be able to speak the language of the people you’re talking to. I didn’t necessarily want to go to law school because I didn’t want to be an attorney. The MSL program teaches you the fundamental aspects of the law. The professors were incredibly engaging, and you couldn’t help but absorb the information. — Celeste Calhoun-Johnson, MSL graduate ’16
What drew you to the MSL program? Were there any highlights, and how has it impacted you in your career?
I studied mechanical engineering as an undergraduate at Northwestern University. Originally, what drew me to the MSL program was the fact they studied intellectual property in depth. I was wondering how I could protect these ideas we were coming up with in the lab. My favorite part of the program was the NUvention Energy class I took, where students from different disciplines get together and create a business around things like renewable energy and sustainability. Every single thing I learned in the MSL program I’ve used — not a day has gone by where the program hasn’t been useful. — Laurelle Banta, MSL graduate ’18
Above, Level Up U participants; below, Rotimi Abiona, Level Up U engineer
Photos courtesy of Activision Blizzard
Gamer or Not: An Activision Blizzard Opportunity May Be Right For You
activisionblizzard.com
Whether you’re a gamer or simply interested in tech jobs, Activision Blizzard may have the right opportunity for you. The Santa Monica, Calif.–based employer — one of the world’s biggest video game developers — is rapidly expanding opportunities for prospective interns and employees. No gaming experience is required: The company’s leaders know their key to making groundbreaking entertainment is having the right collaborative mix of creative and STEM talent on their teams.
As it builds on a global reputation for popular games like Candy Crush, Call of Duty, and World of Warcraft, Activision Blizzard is also focused on its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) mission. In 2022, the company hired its first chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer as well as a head of inclusive game design.
“We believe that our employees and players should see themselves reflected in the company and in our games,” says Chief DEI Officer Kristen Hines. “All our current and prospective employees should know their voices matter here and feel like they belong.” The gaming industry has made strides to become more inclusive, and Hines says Activision Blizzard is promoting new initiatives to foster a work environment where innovation excels because of people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Last year alone, the share of women in game development leadership roles at the company jumped over 50 percent.
The Activision Blizzard Indigenous Employee Network and Early Careers team hosted their first Indigenous Gamers Intern Rush in 2022.
Activision Blizzard is investing $250 million over the next decade to accelerate employment opportunities for diverse talent. Its mentoring and development possibilities range from outreach by the Employee Network Groups (ENGs) to paid internships. For example, the Activision Blizzard Indigenous Employee Network and Early Careers team hosted their first Indigenous Gamers Intern Rush in 2022. The company also announced the winners of its new Women in Gaming Scholarship in early 2023, and regularly offers internships around the globe.
In addition to these early-career options, Activision Blizzard launched Level Up U in 2022. The three-month development course is for engineering job candidates with a programming background, familiarity with C++, an interest in games, and a lifelong-learner mentality. Participants have the opportunity to learn directly from some of the most accomplished engineering talent across Activision Blizzard as they complete technical and skills-based training in both classroom and hands-on learning sessions.
To learn more about Level Up U, scholarships, and internships at Activision Blizzard — and how to apply — bookmark Activision Blizzard’s Early Careers website and stay connected on social media.
After graduating from Level Up U, job candidates have the opportunity to move into full-time engineering roles at Activision Blizzard. In their own words, here’s how they describe their Level Up experiences.
Before enrolling in Level Up U, did you have a long-standing interest in gaming?
I actually had no interest in game development when I started my career as a software engineer. But I have a five-year-old son and he asked if I could build him a game. So I spent all weekend learning how to make him a game and made him this really tiny maze game — and he loved it. Seeing his face just light up and being so excited to play this game I made, and telling his little sister, “Look what Dad made for me!” that was really exciting for me. — Jonathan Gomez, Level Up U engineer
What was your motivation for advancing your skills through Activision Blizzard’s Level Up U?
I decided to apply to Level Up U because I have been very interested in working on video games and getting into the gaming development industry. I had applied for a position a few months back but didn’t have the experience needed for the job. So when I heard about Level Up U as a way of getting game development experience, I jumped at the chance. – Rotimi Abiona, Level Up Engineer
How was your professional path impacted by Level Up, especially in terms of your career outlook?
In terms of how I see career mobility, Level Up has changed it a bit. When I came into this, I didn’t understand how it was going to work. But they’ve explained it to me kind of like a rock wall, where instead of a singular path up, you can go to the left or right and find different roles in the same interest category. They really reflected on — for me at least — the idea of filling up your well and finding the right area you want to be in, instead of just choosing a singular path. – Haley Bear, Level Up Engineer
What did the Level Up experience mean for your career perspective and options moving forward?
Level Up U has changed my perspective on career mobility because the experience was something that I didn’t think would be possible, in general. So being able to get my foot in the door, it really does open my mind to the other possibilities and opportunities within the gaming industry. — Lola Akinyoye, Level Up U engineer
2022 LIGO SURF program participants
Courtesy of Jonah Kanner, staff scientist with LIGO Laboratory
A WAVE You May Want to Catch: Caltech’s SURF Program
sfp.caltech.edu
Colliding neuron stars … black holes … potentially cataclysmic cosmic events … precision quantum-limited measurement science … if any of this catches your attention, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) may have the fellowship for you. LIGO is a joint Caltech-MIT endeavor, and Caltech’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) gives college students the rare opportunity to pursue cutting-edge research in gravitational-wave science and engineering.
SURF fellows take on research projects with the support of Caltech faculty and SURF mentors.
The 10-week LIGO SURF program also aims to increase the participation of people underrepresented in STEM disciplines, including African American, Hispanic, Native American, and first-generation college students. Applicants selected for a LIGO SURF Fellowship can also elect to be part of the Caltech WAVE Program focused on increasing the participation of students historically marginalized in science and engineering PhD programs. In addition, SURF students may be considered for a Carl Albert Rouse Undergraduate Research Fellowship or a Victor M. Blanco Fellowship.
The LIGO Laboratory is an NSF-supported partnership to design, build, and operate an astrophysical observatory for the detection and study of gravitational radiation. The joint Caltech-MIT endeavor features two widely separated interferometers within the United States — one in Hanford, Wash., and the other in Livingston, La. — operated in unison to detect gravitational waves.
SURF fellows receive a stipend for the 10-week program timeframe (the 2023 award is $7,100). They take on research projects with the support of Caltech faculty and SURF mentors. The program is open to undergraduate students from any institution. On-site participants conduct their research at Caltech or one of the LIGO sites in Washington and Louisiana, or UC Riverside. Visit the SURF website to learn more about requirements and expectations and how to apply.
What does LIGO do, and why?
LIGO was designed to open the field of gravitational-wave astrophysics through the direct detection of gravitational waves predicted by Einstein’s general theory of relativity. The observatory’s mission is to identify and track gravitational waves from some of the universe’s most violent and energetic processes. Researchers collect data that may also contribute to other areas of physics, such as gravitation, relativity, cosmology, astrophysics, particle physics, and nuclear physics. To learn more about interferometers in general and LIGO's interferometer, visit What is an Interferometer and LIGO's Interferometer.
What more should prospective students know about WAVE fellowships?
WAVE fellows pursue research under the guidance of Caltech faculty working at the frontier of their fields. After concluding their work, students give an oral or poster presentation in a symposium modeled on a professional technical meeting. Participants also have the opportunity to engage in weekly seminars, social and cultural activities, and an academic and professional development series that includes sessions on effective writing and oral communications.
Tell us more about the mentoring component of the program.
All SURF students complete the program with mentorship from one or more LIGO Laboratory scientists or engineers. Our mentors include faculty, postdoc students, graduate students, scientific and engineering staff — all actively pursuing research and development in the science of gravitational waves, astrophysics, and high-precision metrology. SURF mentors are experts in their field and enthusiastic about helping SURF students develop their research skills.
What kinds of projects do SURF students pursue?
Students work closely with Caltech faculty and mentors as they plan, conduct, report on, and present their research projects. Examples of research topics pursued by past SURF and WAVE students include Thermal Noise in Ultra-Stable Fabry-Perot Cavities, Investigating Crackle Noise in Metal Blade Springs, Low-Noise Seismic Sensing and Actuation, Inferring the Properties of Neuron Stars, and Improving the Detection Rate of Gravitational Waves from Coalescing Binary Black Holes with a Template Bank Consistency Test.
Does MIT have a similar program?
MIT offers a summer research program called Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) for MIT and Wellesley College undergraduate students. The LIGO Laboratory group typically mentors six to 10 UROP students each summer. To learn more, you can visit the UROP website to read more about research opportunities and how to apply.