Sean Asikłuk Topkok appointed director of Center for Cross-Cultural Studies
June 8, 2023
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 èßäÊÓƵ Rural Systemic Initiative and the èßäÊÓƵ 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 èßäÊÓƵ, èßäÊÓƵ 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 students.