DURANT, Okla. – Southeastern Oklahoma State University will be receiving a federal grant of $1.16 million over the next four years to continue its Native American Excellence in Education project.
The project, a collaboration between Southeastern and the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, with the support of local public schools, provides support and training for 12 Native American students in completing a pre-service education program that leads to a Bachelor of Education degree. Students receive additional training and support regarding Native American learning and culture. Participants receive full tuition, fees, books, childcare, laptop computers and living stipends. After graduating, the students teach in schools with at least a five percent Native American student population.
The grant comes from the United States Department of Education as part of the Office of Indian Education’s Professional Development program, which trains qualified individuals to become teachers and administrators in Indian communities.
Southeastern and the Choctaw Nation received the initial Native American Excellence in Education grant in 2005. This grant renewal will allow a new cohort of students to participate in the program.
“There is a large population of Native American students in southeastern Oklahoma, and a disproportionate number of Native American teachers. The scholarships offered through this grant provide a tremendous opportunity to graduate teachers who can serve as role models to children of the same ethnicity,” said Choctaw Nation Chief Gregory E. Pyle.
“This grant demonstrates the strong partnership that exists between Southeastern and the Choctaw Nation and the shared commitment to provide opportunities for a quality education,” said Dr. Larry Minks, Southeastern interim president. “This program has already proven to be very successful and of great benefit to our students, schools, and communities. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.”
Serving as project director and principal investigator of the grant program is Chris Wesberry, an academic advisor who coordinates services in the Native American Center for Student Success. Co-principal investigators were Dr. Charles Weiner, assistant vice president for academic affairs, and Tim Boatmun, associate dean of academic services.
Involved in the original grant from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma were John Jackson, Angel Rowland and Dana Buchanan.
The original students in the program are now teaching in schools in such places as Atoka, Battiest, Dale, Farris, Buffalo Valley, Kingston, Springer, McAlester and Wilburton.
Southeastern is among education programs in seven states – Arizona, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon and South Dakota – to receive grants in the field of Native American education.
Southeastern has a history of providing higher education opportunities for Native American students. The university service area covers significant parts of the Choctaw and Chickasaw nations and partners with the tribes to provide specialized services for all Native American students. Southeastern is among the national leaders in the percentage of graduates who are Native American.
According to Diverse Issues In Higher Education magazine, Southeastern ranks sixth in the nation in producing Native American graduates in all disciplines combined. Each year, the magazine publishes its top 100 rankings of minority graduates.
