TCC GO Celebrates Another Successful Year

Exciting things have been going on in the TCC GO Program! As we wrap up the year and say goodbye to our 2025 graduates, we take time to reflect on the school year. Here is what is happening with our students!

What is TCC GO?

TCC GO is a program within Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) Family Services division. The program is dedicated to helping high school students prepare for a career after graduation. There is a wide range of potential job opportunities for our graduates, and rural communities, in particular, need trained professionals in fields such as healthcare and education. Engaging in TCC GO’s career exploration activities may help you identify a career path while you are still in high school!

How do I participate?

If you are a Fairbanks-based student, you must be enrolled in a federally-recognized Tribe. Any student living in one of the villages within the TCC region that is off the road system is eligible to participate.

For more information, visit our website, https://www.tananachiefs.org/services/tcc-go/ or send us an email at tccgo@tananachiefs.org.

Here are all the exciting highlights of our 2024-2025 school year:

Thirty-five TCC GO Seniors Graduated! Congratulations to our Seniors!

Nineteen Effie Kokrine students had the opportunity to be a part of the Career Explorers class! TCC GO has partnered with Effie Kokrine and the UAF College of Business and Security Management to bring forth the Career Explorers program. Effie Kokrine High school students get the opportunity to learn more about careers within their community and receive college credit! Students also get the opportunity to attend amazing field trips! In partnership with the Alaska Pipeline training center, students were able to tour the facility and meet with different unions, such as the laborers, plumbing and pipefitters, teamsters, electricians, etc. This spring, students also heard from administration and leaders within TCC programs. A special thank you to Chief Ridley, Amber Vaska, Jason Johnson, Stephanie Hinz, Whitney Paolino, Sean Rice, Shannon McClenahan, Karlon Tuluk, VPSO Matthew Williamson, and K-9 Jack for taking time out of your busy schedules to provide valuable information on essential functions and programs within TCC. Your dedication to our Tribes and our youth does not go unnoticed!

Huslia & Minto Career Explorers: This academic year, the Career Explorers program offered engaging, hands-on learning experiences in both Huslia and Minto. In the fall, seven 11th and 12th grade students from Huslia participated in the course, followed by another group of seven upperclassmen in Minto during the spring.

Students were enrolled in Career Exploration and Introduction to Professional Skills, a one-credit university course developed in partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Business and Security Management and the Yukon-Koyukuk School District (YKSD). The course is designed to help students explore potential career paths while building essential employability skills tailored for entry-level job candidates.

Participants gained confidence, developed professional skills, and expanded their networks—setting a strong foundation for future success in the workplace.

Dual Credit University Courses: This school year, a total of thirty-eight high school students (outside of the career explorers programs) in our region took advantage of dual credit opportunities by enrolling in university courses. Twenty students earned credit in the fall, and eighteen students enrolled in the spring semester.

Dual credit courses allow high school students to earn both high school and college credit at the same time. This opportunity gives students a head start on their postsecondary education, helps reduce the overall cost of college, and builds academic confidence in a university setting. By participating in these courses early, students gain exposure to college-level expectations, explore areas of interest, and develop time management and study skills that will serve them well beyond high school. These experiences can also ease the transition to college and increase the likelihood of academic success after graduation.

Why Programs Like TCC GO Matter

Programs like TCC GO are vital to students in the TCC region because they bridge the gap between rural high school education and future career or college pathways. By providing access to dual credit courses, career exploration opportunities, and academic support, TCC GO empowers students to see what’s possible beyond high school without having to leave their home communities.

These programs not only help students build confidence and real-world skills, but they also create a sense of purpose and direction. TCC GO encourages students to take ownership of their futures while honoring their unique strengths, culture, and community values.