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Caleb Scholars Program

Inuit-led conservation advocacy.

The Caleb Scholars Program represents what I was taught to subsist off Nuna (on land, ground, earth) and to take care of Nuna along with the sea mammals, land animals, and everything that supports all life.

Ralph Panikpak Sinnok,
M.B.A

  • Shishmaref, Native Village of Shishmaref
  • Master of Business Administration
  • University of Alaska Fairbanks
  • Class of 2025

What are you currently doing (work, school, community involvement)?

I recently moved to Jacobs Engineering Group as a Water Project Manager in the Northwest Water Group located in the Anchorage office! My work includes projects for our rural communities like wastewater treatment systems in Goodnews Bay and Igiugig. Also, I provide design support for projects in Washington State along with program management support for the Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility. I’m walking at the UAF graduation ceremony on May 2nd (2026) for my Master in Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in STEM! I’ll be wearing some spotted seal skin graduation swag that I hand sewed so keep an eye out for me! Lately, I’ve been staying connected with the ANSEP Alumni, TCF Na’eda Alumi, Na’eda Alumni, and AISES to help connect and foster mentorship opportunities for Indigenous students, youth, and young professionals. I’m working with The CIRI Foundation on setting up an opportunity for CIRI shareholders and lineal descendants to attend this 2026 national AISES conference with potential to partner with ANSEP.

What are your goals or hopes for the future?

My goals for the future are to continue to stay connected and involved with our regional native corporations’ programs to support and mentor our Indigenous youth and students. I plan to apply to as many scholarship boards that I’m qualified for to encourage our current and future students that if I can obtain over $223,000 in scholarships for a higher education then you can too. My hopes for the future are to continue advocating for conservation, subsistence, and Indigenous stewardship of Nuna, waters, and animals. It is of urgency that we must continue our ways of life and stewardship now than ever before.

Is there anything you’d like to share with current or future scholars?

To our current scholars, I miss you and our cohort! I know each and every one of you will continue to carryout Caleb Pungowiyi’s vision and passionate advancement of advocating for our rights to subsistence, self-governance, natural resources, and helping our future generations of Indigenous stewardship and conservation. To our future scholars, please apply to as many scholarships as you can! No one can say yes to you until you apply! Also, if you or anyone you know that meets the application qualifications for the Caleb Scholars program, then I urge you to definitely apply.It is so much more than just a scholarship. The scholar’s cohort and steering committee bring so much to the program that it feels like being home even when you’re all located across the country/world. It offers supplemental funding for anything like travel home, sewing supplies, conferences, and so much more! There is an Annual Gathering where you get to meet in person usually at a cultural festival or language conference. They feed you maktak, dry fish, seal oil, caribou, and many of our traditional foods throughout the whole gathering! The Annual Gathering makes you feel whole. I was able to bring my two young daughters and wife to Utqiaġvik for the 2025 Gathering!