AIHEC Announcements

Peace Corps and AIHEC

Peace Corps logo AIHEC is partnering with Peace Corps to ensure that all Tribal Colleges and Universities, staff, students and supporters are aware of the volunteer, education, and career opportunities available through the Peace Corps.

AIHEC and NSF Announce TCUP TAP

AIHEC received funding from the National Science Foundation’s Tribal College and University Program (NSF-TCUP) to provide technical assistance to Tribal Colleges and Universities that are currently implementing or plan to implement projects funded by NSF-TCUP. The AIHEC NSF-TCUP Technical Assistance Program (TAP) is a key component of AIHEC’s ongoing effort to improve American Indian student achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), support TCUs in developing and sustaining high quality STEM education and research programs, and help ensure that American Indians have the tools needed to succeed in the national and global STEM workforces. For more information, please contact: Dr. Gerald "Carty" Monette, 575.741.5037, or Al Kuslikis, 703.838.0400.

Native American Titles Donated to TCU Libraries

Thanks to a unique collaboration among the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI), the Library of Congress (LC), the National Agricultural Library (NAL) and the National Museum of Language (NML), 830 volumes of books were shipped to nineteen TCU libraries.

Monument to Native American Chief Resurrected

The AIHEC Central Office staff would like to share with you an article in Indian Country Today about a monument to the great-great-great-grandfather of one of our staff members, Nikki Santos. The monument to Chief Spokan Garry of the Spokane Indian Tribe was formally dedicated recently in Spokane, Washington. See September 6, 2011 Indian Country article Monument to Native American Chief Resurrected

Related Announcements and Information

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Appoints CMN’s Waukechon to USDA NAREEE Board

Chad Waukechon, Dean of Community Programs at the College of Menominee Nation, was named to represent 1994 Land-Grant Institutions on the USDA’s National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board (NAREEE) for a full 3-year term. NAREEE members advise the Secretary and land-grant institutions on top priorities and policies for food and agricultural research, education, extension and economics, with the goal of helping to contribute to more effective federal agricultural programs. Prior to his new appointment, Dr. Waukechon had served on NAREEE, filling the seat left vacant by the resignation of former President John Salois.

Department of Health & Human Services Looking for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Peer Reviewers

Agencies within the Department of Health & Human Services are trying to do a better appointing more AI/ANs to their grant application peer review committees. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), in particular, is looking for qualified persons to serve on its peer review committees. Information on different study sections that AHRQ supports. If you have any questions, contact Wendy Perry.

Social Security Administration released a Dear Tribal Leader

On November 1, 2011, the Social Security Administration released a Dear Tribal Leader letter to each of the 565 federally recognized tribes informing them about the enhancements and updates to their American Indian and Alaska Natives website, www.socialecurity.gov/aian. Additionally, Social Security created a special poster to honor and celebrate National Native American Heritage Month.

Three TCUs named in group of Top 120 Community Colleges in the U.S

Navajo Technical College, Fort Belknap Community College, and Chief Dull Knife College have been named one of the top 120 Community Colleges in the United States by the Aspen Institute. More »

NASA Names Six Tribal College Students as NASA Student Ambassadors

The students will join former Leech Lake Tribal College student Marie Kingbird Lowry in serving to inspire, motivate, and help communicate the NASA story to Tribal College students and other students across the nation. We are very proud that these students are aiming for the stars! Congratulations to:
  • Kody Ensely, Salish Kootenai College
  • Brendon Gobert, Blackfeet Community College
  • Terra Greenleaf, Leech Lake Tribal College
  • Kristofferson Martin, Navajo Technical College
  • Cody Sifford, Salish Kootenai College
  • Noel White Running Water Stewart, Blackfeet Community College
For more information on the NASA Student Ambassador program, go to NASA website One Stop Shopping Initiative LaunchPad