Tribal College Outreach

OK EPSCoR places special emphasis on the goal of broadening participation of American Indian students in STEM fields.  EPSCoR promotes Native American students’ success through culturally-attuned teaching methods and technology.  Through these programs, students are overcoming challenges that may prohibit them from participating in STEM careers. 

The most recent recipient of OK EPSCoR Tribal Outreach funding is Oklahoma’s first tribal college, Comanche Nation College.  CNC students are benefitting from improved STEM laboratories and classroom facilities, as well as new networking capabilities, which are overseen by the college’s newly-hired IT director, Paula Lemons. The program encourages American Indian students to integrate their culture, which is scientific by nature, into the educational process; research skills are honed and cultural heritage is honored.

New SMART Boards, SMART Slates, computer equipment and the Work Keys workforce development program, all provided through an EPSCoR grant, are assisting CNC in its goal of recruiting and retaining promising Native American students.

For more information about CNC services call 580.591.0203 or visit the CNC Web site at http://www.cnc.cc.ok.us/. 

To find out how OK EPSCoR may help your institution increase Native American student participation in STEM disciplines, call Gina Miller, outreach coordinator, at 405.744.7645 or email gmiller@okepscor.org.