TCF Alumni

Story and Photo by: Vanessa Standard (2017)

Dear TCF-

Thank you so much for the generous vocational grant that you awarded me. I was able to graduate with my yoga teacher training certification. I am now working with others – teaching them the healing science of yoga. Many people’s lives are improving because of my education. I am so grateful for CIRI Foundation. Without you guys I don’t know where I would be or how I would have been able to participate in this training.

THANK YOU!!!!

I thank you a million times over and over and over again! Thank you for doing such good work! Thank you for positive being role models in my life. I sincerely appreciate your kindness, care and concern for our CIRI community (and the community at large). I am feeling blessed because of you, The CIRI Foundation!

With much love and gratitude – Vanessa Standard

My name is Tammy Tuttle Ashley, daughter to Terry and Delores Tuttle. I am an original CIRI shareholder born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska. My Grandmother Alma (Foster) McCormick and Mother were born on Unga Island in the Shumagin Islands on the Aleutian Chain and my Grandfather Roy Ashenfelter was born in Council and lived his life in White Mountain. My husband Charles and I celebrate almost 25 years together and we have one daughter Tiare.

In 2007, I began my academic journey with one class, going to school while working full-time at Southcentral Foundation. I was able to juggle school and work around raising my daughter and taking care of my family. I completed an Associate of Arts at the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2009. I transferred to Alaska Pacific University and completed an associate degree in Human Services in 2011 and a bachelor’s degree in Human Services in 2012. In 2015 I completed at master’s degree in Business Administration, with a certificate of completion in the Alaska Native Executive Leadership Program.

Throughout this career journey, I was able to achieve success with the support from my family, The CIRI Foundation, Southcentral Foundation, and Cook Inlet Tribal Council. Many people have been behind me every step of the way, encouraging me as well as financially supporting my academic aspirations. I am so thankful for all those who provided encouragement and support, allowing me to further my professional career in the Native Community. I want to encourage others to learn and grow as well as find a healthy balance within our Native Community.

– Tammy Ashley

My name is Cynthia Baldwin the daughter of Nicholas and Patricia Baldwin. My great grandmother, Lucy Whitley, is the original CIRI Shareholder that I descend from on my mother’s side.

I guess you can say I grew up in the Education and Training field. My mother was an Employment and Training Advisor, after school I would sit in the common area of her office, waiting until it was time to go home. I would listen to her talk to prospective students, do assessments to find out where their interests lay, research schools to attend and help the apply for funding. In the evenings she took college classes over teleconference and would be listening to the class discussions while getting dinner on the table. I am the youngest of 5, through her own perseverance she graduated with her Bachelor degree the year before I graduated high school.

I received my Bachelor of Art in Art May 2005. In 2009 I began work as a Financial Aid Advisor at UAF, and took advantage of my tuition waiver, starting the MBA program in January 2010. I got a headache on the left side of my head, that I attributed to stress, but the headache did not go away, it was constant. (more…)

I began my college career torn between pursuing law or medicine. I quickly realized neither one was for me. On a whim, I had taken a Computer Science course. It was love at first byte. I made the scary choice to switch majors and switch schools. It was pretty much starting from scratch but I haven’t regretted it for a moment. I landed an excellent internship as a software engineer that turned into a full time position that I love. I am so grateful for the funding and resources The CIRI Foundation provided me. I don’t know if I would have been able to finish without them. It was a long road to graduate and The CIRI Foundation made that road a far less frightening to travel. Thank you!

– Shandice Johnson