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Prince William Sound College

@pwsc_alaska

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In Valdez, Alaska, where learning goes beyond four walls into Alaska's stunning environment.

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Hands-on learning in the field.
During a recent Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course at Shoup Bay, students practiced real-world emergency response skills in the kind of remote conditions they may face while guiding, working outdoors, or traveling in Alaska.
This clip, captured by Xavier Garcia, shows just a glimpse of the training that prepares students to respond when help may be hours away. by @pwsc_alaska

At Prince William Sound College in Valdez, Alaska, our Marine Service Technology program prepares you for technician-level work in the maritime industry — in one semester.

Classes start January 12. It’s not too late to register!

Why it’s worth it:
-Learn to troubleshoot, install and repair marine systems — from hulls to outboards. pwsc.alaska.edu
-Earn a certificate you can complete in one term (16 credits) and take the next step in your career. pwsc.alaska.edu
-Get started in a fast-moving field and set yourself apart.

Limited seats. Ready to go? Let’s get you aboard. Call 907-835-1600 (8am-5pm AKST, M-F) to learn more or to start the application process, or email pwsc.student.services@alaska.edu.

#MarineServiceTechnology #MarineTech #BoatMechanic #MarineMechanic #BoatRepair #MaritimeCareers #MaritimeTraining #SkilledTrades #TechnicalTraining #CareerInOneSemester #ValdezAlaska #AlaskaCollege
#StudyInAlaska #PrinceWilliamSoundCollege #PWSC #ExploreAlaska
#AdventureInAlaska #CoastalAlaska #AlaskaLife #MarineIndustry by @pwsc_alaska

For some students, the chance to climb Denali is why they choose Prince William Sound College’s Outdoor Leadership program. For others, it’s the opportunity to build skills and gain outdoor experience. Either way, students put what they learn into practice.

Students prepare through prerequisite courses in backpacking, Wilderness First Responder training, avalanche education and more. These courses and field experiences build the foundation for the technical challenges and responsibilities of an extended expedition.

Preparation for the 2027 Denali expedition is already underway. Students take an active role in planning the trip, from building a 16-day meal plan and calculating food and fuel needs to inspecting equipment, reviewing permits, coordinating flights and preparing for weather delays. Every pound of food and gear matters, and the group must plan for the unexpected.

That preparation is part of the learning. Students aren't simply showing up for a trip an instructor organized. They're learning to plan, make decisions, work as a team and take responsibility in a demanding environment.

Preparing for Denali takes more than planning. Students also work to build the strength and endurance needed for a demanding expedition. In the gym, Vinny Unruh, an outdoor leadership student, trains on the StairMaster with a weighted backpack, preparing for the physical demands of carrying a heavy pack over challenging terrain.

For students preparing for Denali, the expedition is more than a climb. It's an opportunity to put their skills to work, learn from one another and take on the responsibilities of leading an expedition. by @pwsc_alaska

Happy Halloween! 🎃 by @pwsc_alaska

🎃 We're getting ready for Halloween at PWSC! 👻

We're looking forward to joining the community at two local Halloween events this week. We'll have treats and plenty of Halloween spirit!

Stop by, say hello and bring the kids!

🎃 Friday, Oct. 30 | 3–5 p.m.
Citywide Business Halloween Event

👻 Saturday, Oct. 31 | 4–5 p.m.
Elementary School Halloween Event

We look forward to seeing you there! by @pwsc_alaska

The Outdoor Leadership Program welcomed Sean Wisner as a monthly guest speaker at its EDVenture Center: Alaska Exchange, presenting An Improvisational Art of Chasing Adventure: A Life Built on Yes and the Wisdom of Not Today.

Sean brings extensive experience in leadership, emergency management, and outdoor safety. He serves as fire chief with Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, served as president of the Alaska Avalanche Information Center, and owns Long Run Leadership Solutions, LLC, where he provides leadership instruction, executive coaching, and consulting. He holds a master's degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

During his presentation, Sean talked about adventure, fear, and understanding risk. For those who spend time in the outdoors, risk means considering both the likelihood of something happening and the severity of its consequences. Preparation matters, but so does knowing when to change the plan.

“A life of adventure is not built through one fearless decision. It's built through thousands of choices: when to step forward, when to ask for help, when to change the plan, and when to go home.”

Sean also spoke about facing fear by understanding why you're doing something. His message wasn't simply about saying yes to adventure, but about preparing, taking responsibility for your team,m and recognizing when turning around is the right decision.

For students preparing for careers in the outdoors, these lessons show how education and experience work together to build good judgment.

I was there to capture media content, but I walked away feeling inspired, too. Adventure isn't about being fearless or always reaching the destination. It's about why you go, how you prepare, and the choices you make along the way. by @pwsc_alaska

After two decades producing community theatre in Valdez, Dawson Moore is developing new plays in Anchorage while continuing his work with the Valdez Theatre Conference. He is preparing to produce The King in Yellow, a play by Chris Soucy. The two are also working on a new play, Innsmouth, which they plan to workshop at Cyrano’s Theatre Company in February, ending with a public reading.

Moore is also planning for the next Valdez Theatre Conference, which will include a one-woman play about a dog musher, The Lobster War, and the return of the playwrights’ evening. He is also looking at new ways to support artists, with time for collaboration and conversations about the challenges of being a creative artist today.

Read the full interview below to learn more about Dawson’s new projects, plans for the Conference, and what he hopes to bring to the theatre community in the years ahead.
Read here: https://bit.ly/3W7kAnZ by @pwsc_alaska

Prince William Sound College, Outdoor Leadership
EDVenture Center: Alaska Exchange
Join us at PWSC Suacit Hall for this presentation by Sean Wisener.
Where: PWSC- Suacit Hall(next to Fitness Center)
When: October 28th, 6:00 pm
Length: Approximately 1 hour
Topic: The Improvisational Art of Chasing Adventures
Cost: Free

Come listen. Come learn. Come be inspired.
You never know what story you might hear — or where it might take you.
Alaska Exchange: Where Alaska’s stories are shared.
We hope you’ll join us by @pwsc_alaska

Build your skills. Invest in your future. Without the tuition bill!

Starting this January, Prince William Sound College has grant funding available for students pursuing certificates in Marine Service Technology, Millwright, and Construction Skills!

Get hands-on training for a career in the skilled trades, with tuition and course fees covered for eligible students!

Students must apply for program admission and grant funding separately. Living expenses are not covered.

Call PWSC Student Services at 907-834-1600 to learn more and get started! by @pwsc_alaska

Meet Rachel Whitehead, one of our OEC in Natural Resources Technician (NRT) students at PWSC.

Rachel is from Southeast Michigan and came to PWSC after earning her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. She wanted to build on that degree and get something she felt was missing from her undergraduate experience: hands-on experience in the environmental field.

“So far that’s been a major part of this program!”

One of Rachel’s favorite parts of the NRT program has been getting out into the field and seeing how different Alaska’s environments can be. She’s explored the boreal forest in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and done fieldwork in Alaska’s temperate rainforest.

“Michigan doesn’t have the rainforest, so it has been incredible to see new landscapes.”

Her trip to Cordova has been a standout experience so far.

“I absolutely loved it there.”

Rachel said the trip gave her the chance to meet and learn from professionals in the field, and she especially appreciated the connections Katie Bobowski helped make. There was also time to enjoy Cordova itself. Rachel and her friends even took a cold plunge in the bay at Orca Bay Adventure Lodge before heading into the sauna to warm up.

After finishing the NRT program, Rachel plans to return to Michigan and hopes to find a job with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. With Michigan's Great Lakes, wetlands, and forests, she sees plenty of opportunities to put what she learned at PWSC to work.

Rachel also said Katie Bobowski has strongly influenced her interest in forestry.

“I’ve always wanted to work in the forestry industry, and her class has cemented that in my goals!”

For Rachel, the NRT program has been a chance to get out of the classroom, gain practical experience, and explore a part of the country very different from home. It’s also helping her figure out where she wants to take her environmental science background next. by @pwsc_alaska

A little teamwork, a little adventure, and a whole lot of learning on the water!

Our packrafting class, taught by Paul Nylund and Rafael Alfaro, headed to Bridal Veil Falls in Keystone Canyon to practice their skills on the Lowe River. I followed along as students carried their rafts down to the river, practiced rescue techniques, and hit the water. It was pretty exciting to watch!

Paul and Rafael recently earned their packrafting instructor certifications, and you can see how much they enjoy sharing what they know. These two have a running banter that makes you smile, but underneath the jokes is a genuine friendship and respect for each other. They work well together, challenge their students, and make it clear that they care about their safety and learning.

I asked one student, JD, what he thought of the class. He described it as exhilarating and challenging, which is exactly what draws him to the sport.

That combination of challenge, trust, and teamwork is a big part of what makes a class like this special. Students learn technical skills, build confidence, and figure out how to respond when things get exciting on the water. And with Paul and Rafael leading the way, there's no shortage of encouragement, good humor, and hands-on knowledge.

Sometimes the best learning happens when you get out of the classroom, into a raft, and onto the river with people who love what they do. by @pwsc_alaska

A look at the work that keeps Alaska’s waters safe!

Some of our Prince William Sound College students in Outdoor Leadership, Natural Resources Technician (NRT), and Marine Services Technology recently toured the NOAA Ship Fairweather.

The Fairweather is a hydrographic survey vessel that maps the seafloor using specialized sonar equipment. The crew collects detailed information about water depths, underwater features, and potential hazards, helping NOAA create and update nautical charts that support safe navigation in Alaska’s coastal waters.

But the work goes beyond navigation. Data collected by the Fairweather can also help scientists study marine ecosystems, map fish habitats, and better understand the seafloor. This information supports research and provides valuable insights into Alaska’s marine environment.

For our students, the tour was an opportunity to see the technology behind this work and learn more about the people, equipment, and careers that support Alaska’s marine environment and maritime industries.

Thank you to the NOAA Ship Fairweather crew for welcoming our students aboard! by @pwsc_alaska