NDSU has received federal funding to improve recruitment and retention of Native American students.
Canan Bilen-Green, vice provost for faculty affairs and equity, is the principal investigator for two recently funded projects. The overall program, called “New Beginning for Tribal Students,” is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
According to Bilen-Green, competitive grants are made available to land-grant colleges and universities to provide identifiable support specifically targeted for Tribal students. The funding is to be used for such things as recruiting, tuition and related fees, experiential learning or student services.
NDSU has two funded projects.
A new project, titled “New Beginnings: Supporting Students from Urban Inter-Tribal and Rural Tribal Communities” received approximately $370,000 in funding this month.
The project addresses the post-secondary needs of a growing population of Tribal learners.
“To increase their enrollment, retention and graduation, we will continue strengthening relationships with local Tribal Colleges and Universities and rural Tribal communities and establish a formal partnership with local Indian Education Programs,” Bilen-Green said, noting a President’s Tribal Advisory Council will be established and a Tribal initiatives director will be hired to oversee development of Unit Equity Action and Assessment Plans and a comprehensive Tribal Students Care Team Advising/Coaching Model.
“Critical priority will be given to campuswide professional development that specifically addresses NDSU’s unique history and relationship with Tribal communities as a land-grant institution,” said Bilen-Green. “NDSU will widen recruitment practices to include urban Tribal students, institutionalize campus-based programming for Tribal students and provide education across campus regarding Tribal Nations.”
Another project, “Making Good: Delivering Educational Equity for and with Indigenous Tribal Students and Communities,” received about $120,000 in supplemental funding this month.
Originally funded in September 2020, the project’s goal is to create an institutional framework that offers Tribal students the opportunities of higher education, and also provides a holistic support system to ensure their success.
The supplemental funding is for additional scholarships, tutoring and mentoring support, and staff support.
NDSU President Dean L. Bresciani has expressed strong support for the project, and it has been endorsed by North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum.
“These projects will leverage and amplify the important work that has already been intiated at NDSU to ‘make good’ on the university’s accountabilities to our students and the Tribal Nations in the state and region,” said Bilen-Green.
In addition to Bilen-Green, project team members include:
• Cali Anicha, ADVANCE research associate
• Becky Bahe, Advising and Career Center director
• John Creese, associate professor of sociology and anthropology
• Ramona Danielson, assistant professor of public health
• Lynette Flage, NDSU Extension Family and Community Wellness assistant director
• Greg Lardy, vice president for Agricultural Affairs
• Seinquis Leinen, director of admission
• Jill Motschenbacher, Office of Teaching and Learning associate director
• Julie Nash, Excellence Programs manager
• Laura Oster-Aaland, vice provost for student affairs and enrollment management
• Kelly Sassi, professor of English and Red River Valley Writing Project director
• Melody Staebner, Indian education coordinator.
• Jan Stankiewicz, NDSU Extension Tribal liaison
• Charles Stoltenow, NDSU Extension assistant director
• Jaclynn Wallette, Office of Multicultural Programs director
As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.