The New Beginnings for Tribal Students initiatives are funded in part by the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture New Beginnings for Tribal Students grant program.

Making Good: Delivering Educational Equity for and with Indigenous Tribal Students and Communities

The goal of this initiative, funded in fall of 2020, is to create an institutional framework that will not only offer Tribal students the opportunities of higher education, but provide a holistic support system to ensure their success.

Project Director:Canan Bilen-Green, Vice Provost for Faculty and Equity

Co-Project Directors:Jaclynn Davis Wallette, Director of Multicultural ProgramsRamona Danielson, Assistant Professor of Public Health

Team members:Laura Oster-Aaland, Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Enrollment ManagementLynette Flage, Associate Director ExtensionJulie Nash, Excellence Programs Manager Faculty AffairsJan Stankiewicz, Extension Specialist and Tribal LiaisonCali Anicha, Research Associate Faculty AffairsSeinquis Leinen, Associate Director Admission

Supporting Students From Urban Inter-Tribal And Rural Tribal Communities

The overall goal of this initiative, funded in fall of 2021, is to address the post-secondary needs of a growing population of Tribal learners from both rural and urban settings.

Project Director:Canan Bilen-Green, Vice Provost, Facult Affairs and Equity

Co-Project Directors:Gregory Lardy, Vice President, Agricultural AffairsMelody Staebner, Indian Education Coordinator, Fargo and West Fargo Public Schools

Team Members:Cali Anicha, ADVANCE Research Associate, Faculty AffairsBecky Bahe, Director, Advising and Career CenterJohn Creese, Associate Professor, Sociology and AnthropologyRamona Danielson, Assistant Professor, Public HealthSeinquis Leinen, Director, AdmissionJulie Nash, Excellence Programs Manager, Faculty AffairsJan Stankiewicz, Tribal Liaison, ExtensionJaclynn Davis Wallette, Director, Office of Multicultural Programs

Circling Back, Affording Tribal Students Opportunities to Flourish: Infrastructure, Extramural Learning, TCU Partnerships, and Disability/Health Equity

Funded the fall of 2022, in recognition that Tribal communities value educational pathways to cultural revitalization and sustainability, the overall goal of the initiative is to increase Tribal student enrollment and to support their persistence through work readiness and degree completion.

Project Director:Canan Bilen-Green, Vice Provost, Faculty Affairs and Equity

Co-Project Directors:Gregory Lardy, Vice President, Agricultural AffairsTBD, United Tribes Technical College

Team Members:Cali Anicha, ADVANCE Research Associate, Faculty AffairsDavid Bertolini, Dean, Arts, Hunanities and Social SciencesMark Coppin, Director, Disability ServicesJohn Creese, Associate Professor, Sociology and AnthropologyRamona Danielson, Assistant Professor, Public HealthMichael Kessler, Dean, EngineeringSeinquis Leinen, Director, AdmissionLeander (Russ) McDonald, President, United Tribes Technical CollegeJulie Nash, Excellence Programs Manager, Faculty AffairsLaura Oster-Aaland, Vice Provost, Student Affairs and Enrollment ManagementJan Stankiewicz, Tribal Liaison, ExtensionJaclynn Davis Wallette, Director, Office of Multicultural Programs