OUR TEAM:
Mike Swanson | Executive Director

Mike Swanson returned to Amundsen Educational Center after a 14 year hiatus serving the University of Alaska in 2019. 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 was busy during his time away from AEC. He met his wife Barbara in Dillingham and the two have been happily married for 15 years. Together, they are parents to Shannah, Isabella and Joseph.
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 was busy during his time away from AEC. He met his wife Barbara in Dillingham and the two have been happily married for 15 years. Together, they are parents to Shannah, Isabella and Joseph.
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.
Jacob Barkman | Director of Construction & Construction Instructor

Jacob Barkman joined the staff of AEC in September of 2019 as our Construction Instructor. Jacob has over 30 years of construction experience. In addition to occupational building, he has participated in many volunteer building projects, locally, statewide, and internationally. He is excited about the opportunity to share a passion for building with young people and help them gain skills to help them live life.
He has been married to Jenn for 36 years. They have three adult children, two of whom are married. They have three grandchildren. Hobbies include motorcycle riding with Jenn, time with their grandchildren (and their parents), reading, music, and being outdoors.
He has been married to Jenn for 36 years. They have three adult children, two of whom are married. They have three grandchildren. Hobbies include motorcycle riding with Jenn, time with their grandchildren (and their parents), reading, music, and being outdoors.
John Hege | Life Coach & Instructor

My name is John Hege and I am a Life Coach and Financial Literacy Instructor for AEC through a partnership with Covenant Youth of Alaska (CYAK). I have been working with AEC for the last 3 years. The Lord called us to Alaska in 1994. We have been here since then, helping in many capacities within CYAK, with ministry partners like AEC, and in cooperation with the Alaska Conference for almost 30 years. I have been a CYAK CO Director, Associate Director, Pastor in Shaktoolik, Youth and Senior Pastor, Alaska Conference coach, 19 years as the Campus Christian Fellowship director and staff in Fairbanks working with CYAK at UAF with many great staff and student volunteers on the Alaska Conference Board two terms, secretary of the Ministerium, am trained and helped with conflict resolution with staff, and I am Ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church. We have 4 grown children, 2 still in Alaska and 2 in the lower 48. We are newly minted and very proud grandparents.
Your Name Here | Student Life Coordinator

Read about our need for a Student Life Coordinator.
- * Do you love Jesus?
- * Are you able to meet people where they are at and show His love to them?
- * Are you organized and responsible?
- * Are you patient and caring?
- * Are you willing to live among and do life together with a small group of young adults that are growing and need structure and guidance?
Our History

The Amundsen Educational Center is a faith-based vocational training school that was originally founded to serve primarily Alaska Native 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, Dr. 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 80 students from 33 communities (26 off the road system) have been trained to build homes through the BHC program. BHC has found a niche serving Alaska Natives through a culturally relevant, student-centered education characterized by small class sizes (1 instructor: 6 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, Dr. 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 80 students from 33 communities (26 off the road system) have been trained to build homes through the BHC program. BHC has found a niche serving Alaska Natives through a culturally relevant, student-centered education characterized by small class sizes (1 instructor: 6 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

New AEC swag & logo-wear coming soon!
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!