Partnership improves college connection with Native American students
Coos Bay, OR – Southwestern Oregon Community College is excited to announce a new four-year partnership with Oregon State University and the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians.
The three organizations have joined to increase outreach, activities and paid internship opportunities for local Native American pre-college and college students.
The project is funded by a $289,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture grant. In addition to receiving funds for scholarships and forestry/natural resources internships, Southwestern will hire an advisor and internship coordinator to reach out to Native students. The partnership also will develop an Environmental Leadership for Youth summer STEM camp.
“We are thrilled to share this grant and this partnership with Confederated Tribes and OSU,” said Dr. Ali Mageehon, Vice President of Instruction. “We now can dedicate time to students one-to-one. We can help them understand college, ways to pay for school, and provide the cultural support and resources they need to feel included and knowledgeable.”
The overall goal is to connect with students early to improve their achievements in college, their graduation success and ultimately their success when they enter the workforce in natural resources and forest-based professions.
Additional information on project is available from Oregon State University.
