Literacy is life

Academic circles raised alarms in 2024 over widespread deficiencies in reading comprehension at the university level. This problem is not confined to students, as the National Literacy Institute estimates that 54% of all adults in the United States read below a sixth-grade level. Helping to bridge that gap in Alaska is health sciences alumna Nyabony Gat, director of the Peer Leader Navigators (PLN) program at the Alaska Literacy Program (ALP).

Founded in 1974, ALP is more than a place to learn reading skills. Its mission has always been broader: equipping adults with the tools they need to succeed. Reading is only the first step, as ALP also provides citizenship support, GED preparation and career pathways. One of its most impactful initiatives is the PLN program, where former ALP students return to guide others through systems that might otherwise overwhelm them. This includes everything from understanding a rental agreement to enrolling children in school.

For Gat, this work is deeply personal. Born in Ethiopia, Gat immigrated to the U.S. with her family, moving from Utah to Nebraska to Oregon before settling in Alaska (where she expected to see igloos and polar bears). Growing up, she witnessed the challenges her parents and family members faced when trying to access services while navigating language barriers, which are memories that continue to shape her approach to her work.

Additionally, Gat's father worked in the health care field back home, inspiring her own desire to honor that legacy by majoring in health sciences at UAA. Originally planning to become a family physician, she developed a passion for community building and public health after discovering UAA's Community Engaged Student Assistantships (CESAs) during her sophomore year. After applying for and being awarded a CESA, Gat spent her assistantship creating youth career camps, conducting data entry for the Alaska chapter of Health Occupations Students of America, and conducted a situational analysis for the Alaska Sudan Medical Project.

"At UAA I was given so many opportunities to explore the intersection of health and community, and to do it in a practical way where I could see what I was learning in the classroom be contextualized in real life," said Gat.

Near the end of her studies, Gat turned to UAA's Area Health Education Centers Scholars program to introduce her to all the possible career options available in health services. Interning with ALP, she quickly became involved with the PLN program, learning under the direction of its founder Linda Shepherd. What she did not know at the time was that her new mentor was preparing to retire. As she completed her degree, Gat found herself stepping naturally into the role of PLN coordinator, continuing and expanding a program that resonated with her own lived experience.

The link between literacy and health may not appear obvious at first glance, but Gat is quick to point out how vital the connection is. Without literacy, people often struggle to access medical care or understand the information given to them by providers. Something as simple as confirming a text reminder for a doctor's appointment can be a barrier for someone with limited reading skills. In more serious cases, people might forgo necessary screenings or misinterpret critical health information, leading to preventable complications. The PLN program was created in part to address these gaps, ensuring that health education is delivered in plain language and in ways that reflect the cultural contexts of the communities being served.

Over the years, the program has developed a range of curricula tailored to meet specific community needs. Peer leaders often identify issues in their own neighborhoods, such as dental health, and develop educational materials that speak directly to those concerns. This grassroots approach ensures that the information is both relevant and accessible. The model also builds a ripple effect: former students become trusted messengers within their communities, helping others gain the confidence and tools needed to make informed decisions.

For Gat, her role extends beyond health. Viewing herself as a connector, linking people to essential resources, she recognizes the frustration that comes when individuals are turned away or taken advantage of, and she works to change the systems that perpetuate those barriers. Advocacy, particularly around language access, has become a central part of her work.

What drives her most is the belief that literacy is not just about reading and writing, but empowerment. Additionally, Gat points out that literacy challenges extend beyond immigrant communities. Even for native English speakers, the gap between the average reading level and the complexity of most written materials leaves many struggling to understand critical information. Recognizing this, she hopes for a broader sense of compassion.

"Literacy is everything, not just grammar," said Gat. "If you can access information, you can make informed decisions. Not having access to credible and contextualized information is why we see so many disparities. So it's important to let people know they're not ignorant for not knowing. Was the information made available to you, in a way you could digest and applied based on your understanding of cultural pillars? Because we can't forget everybody is coming from a different angle. So literacy is life and we have to have more compassion to make sure the information out there is usable."