OUR TEAM:
Mike Swanson - Executive Director
Mike Swanson returns to Amundsen Educational Center after a 14 year hiatus serving the University of Alaska. Mike was the original Dean of Students at AEC when the school began in 2001 and served at AEC from 2001 - 2005 in that capacity.
Mike has been busy during his time away from AEC. He met his wife Barbara in Dillingham and the two have been happily married for 12 years. Together, they are parents to Shannah, Isabella and Joseph, and their dog Denali.
Mike is excited to share the vision of the founders of AEC with a new generation of students and to shore up the foundation of the organization and the Building Hope Construction program.
Mike has been busy during his time away from AEC. He met his wife Barbara in Dillingham and the two have been happily married for 12 years. Together, they are parents to Shannah, Isabella and Joseph, and their dog Denali.
Mike is excited to share the vision of the founders of AEC with a new generation of students and to shore up the foundation of the organization and the Building Hope Construction program.
Carmen Franchino - Director of Operations
Carmen and her husband, Scott, first came to Alaska in 1985 and immediately knew they had found home. It’s been Carmen’s passion and joy to work with young people in various ministries, both vocational and volunteer for over 30 years. She was privileged to join the staff at Amundsen Educational Center in 2009 and believes deeply in the mission of AEC. Carmen also serves as Director of Youth Ministries at Peninsula Grace Brethren Church, is part of the worship team and loves her home group. She enjoys photography, scrapbooking and most of all loving her family! Scott and Carmen have three grown children and five grandchildren.
Keith Pieh - Director of Building Hope Construction, Construction Instructor
Keith and Mandy Pieh began ministry the summer of ’98 as they moved to Fairbanks to work with Covenant Youth of Alaska (CYAK) in its ministry to Native college students at UAF. Along with doing college ministry, Keith continued working as a carpenter during their 6 years in Fairbanks, and Mandy as administrative assistant/bookkeeper for the statewide CYAK organization. In the spring of ’07, the Piehs responded to God’s call to serve at AEC, and moved to Soldotna. Keith now brings his experience in Native youth ministry and his giftedness in carpentry work to his position as AEC’s carpentry instructor.
They have four children: Emily (1999), Joshua (2002), Andrew (2005), and Rebekah (2009).
They have four children: Emily (1999), Joshua (2002), Andrew (2005), and Rebekah (2009).
Our History
Rev. Bruckner, Rev. Londborg, Rev. Amundsen, Dr. Fortuine
The Amundsen Educational Center is a faith-based vocational training school that was originally founded to serve primarily Native Alaskan students. Such a school had long been the dream of Rev. Roald Amundsen, a long-term missionary and pilot who was the founder and director of Missionary Aviation Repair Center (MARC) in Soldotna. When a parcel of land was donated to Amundsen for charitable purposes in the mid-90s, he asked the help of Rev. Maynard Londborg and Rev. Donald Bruckner in establishing plans for a vocational school. Londborg and Bruckner added veteran Alaskan physician Dr. Robert Fortuine to the group and the three met regularly to develop plans for the venture, which was finally incorporated in 1996. The founders named the school in honor of Rev. Amundsen in recognition of his dream and his lifetime of service in Alaska.
Much essential developmental work was then carried out over the next few years under the leadership of the first director, Del Corrick. After a pilot project in Fairbanks coordinated through Covenant Youth of Alaska and Byron Bruckner, the school formally opened in Soldotna in the fall of 2001. Shortly thereafter, AEC became authorized through the Alaska Commission of Postsecondary Education to provide graduates with a 1st year Certificate in Residential Construction, and a 2nd year Advanced Certificate in Residential Construction.
This training in construction eventually led to the creation of Building Hope Construction. More than 40 students from 18 rural villages have been trained to build homes through the BHC program. BHC has found a niche serving Native Alaskans through a culturally relevant, student-centered education characterized by small class sizes (1 instructor: 5 students) and intensely practical instruction. Additionally, the community living environment encourages students from rural Alaska in areas of personal development and offers comprehensive training for employment in the Alaskan construction industry.
Today AEC continues to provide vocational training in a faith-based environment for rural Alaskans as well as commuter students from the Kenai Peninsula. This mission is accomplished by providing students with quality vocational and work-readiness instruction, fostering a culturally relevant learning environment, honoring the dignity of every student, building a safe, nurturing community, and by creating a network of synergistic partnerships.
Much essential developmental work was then carried out over the next few years under the leadership of the first director, Del Corrick. After a pilot project in Fairbanks coordinated through Covenant Youth of Alaska and Byron Bruckner, the school formally opened in Soldotna in the fall of 2001. Shortly thereafter, AEC became authorized through the Alaska Commission of Postsecondary Education to provide graduates with a 1st year Certificate in Residential Construction, and a 2nd year Advanced Certificate in Residential Construction.
This training in construction eventually led to the creation of Building Hope Construction. More than 40 students from 18 rural villages have been trained to build homes through the BHC program. BHC has found a niche serving Native Alaskans through a culturally relevant, student-centered education characterized by small class sizes (1 instructor: 5 students) and intensely practical instruction. Additionally, the community living environment encourages students from rural Alaska in areas of personal development and offers comprehensive training for employment in the Alaskan construction industry.
Today AEC continues to provide vocational training in a faith-based environment for rural Alaskans as well as commuter students from the Kenai Peninsula. This mission is accomplished by providing students with quality vocational and work-readiness instruction, fostering a culturally relevant learning environment, honoring the dignity of every student, building a safe, nurturing community, and by creating a network of synergistic partnerships.
AEC Apparel and Accessories
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Contribute to AEC
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Ways to consider giving...
1. Monetary Donation Send to: Amundsen Education Center 995 E. Roald Ave. Soldotna, AK 99669
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2. Fred Meyer Rewards Cards
For those in Alaska, simply click on the link below and choose Amundsen Educational Center as the charitable organization of your choice: www.fredmeyer.com/communityrewards 3. Air miles Your donated miles will help staff and students travel for ministry. Contact info@aecak.org to donate 4. Host a salmon dinner fundraiser If you are interested, contact us at info@aecak.org for information! |
We recognize that everyone is not able to write a check each month or volunteer their time to support the ministry of AEC. Therefore, listed below are other ways you can contribute financially to this ministry.
- Support Amundsen through your Amazon shopping:
https://smile.amazon.com/
- Planned Giving (naming AEC in your Estate)
- Stock/Mutual Fund Transfers of Appreciated Shares
- IRA Charitable Distributions
- Memorial Gifts
- Support for AEC Staff
- Employer Matched Gifts
- Land, Vehicle, and Equipment Donations
All donations, regardless of size, are very appreciated. Donations to AEC are tax deductible.
- Support Amundsen through your Amazon shopping:
https://smile.amazon.com/
- Planned Giving (naming AEC in your Estate)
- Stock/Mutual Fund Transfers of Appreciated Shares
- IRA Charitable Distributions
- Memorial Gifts
- Support for AEC Staff
- Employer Matched Gifts
- Land, Vehicle, and Equipment Donations
All donations, regardless of size, are very appreciated. Donations to AEC are tax deductible.
Serve on a Service Team
If you are interested in leading or being part of a service team at AEC, please contact us for more information about how you can help!
For more information, please contact us:
Amundsen Educational Center
995 E. Roald Ave.
Soldotna, AK 99669
info@aecak.org
Phone: (907) 260-8041
Fax: (907) 262-7144
Amundsen Educational Center
995 E. Roald Ave.
Soldotna, AK 99669
info@aecak.org
Phone: (907) 260-8041
Fax: (907) 262-7144
