Sean Asikłuk Topkok appointed director of Center for Cross-Cultural Studies
The College of Rural and Community Development is excited to announce that Sean AsikÅ‚uk Topkok has been appointed director of the Center for Cross-Cultural Studies. AsikÅ‚uk has a long history with the CXCS, having worked with the center and previous leadership since 1997 through the ³ÉÈËӰƬ Rural Systemic Initiative and the ³ÉÈËӰƬ Native Knowledge Network. Topkok's new appointment became effective April 10, 2023.
AsikÅ‚uk started teaching as an adjunct professor at CXCS in 2006. After earning his master's in Cross-Cultural Studies at UAF, he taught Indigenous Peoples of ³ÉÈËӰƬ, ³ÉÈËӰƬ Native Education, and CCS/RD F608 – Indigenous Knowledge Systems. AsikÅ‚uk earned his Ph.D. in Indigenous Studies in 2015, also at UAF.
The Center for Cross-Cultural Studies is a department in the College of Rural and Community Development. The Center for Cross-Cultural Studies offers two graduate programs: an M.A. in Indigenous Studies and a Ph.D. in Indigenous Studies. CXCS serves as a forum for examining cross-cultural and Indigenous education and community development issues across the state and worldwide. CXCS works to increase the recognition of Indigenous scholarship across various academic disciplines to best serve its ³ÉÈËӰƬ.