Welcome to the Native Resource Directory at MSU!

advisor and student discussing

This page serves as a quick reference and contact page for Native American specific or serving programs, within MSU and beyond.   

 

 

 

 

 


A - Admissions Office-Undergraduate | Admissions-GraduateAmerican Indian Council (AIC) | American Indian/Alaska Native Student Success (AIANSS)American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)ASMSU - Associated Students of Montana State University

C - Caring for Our Own Program | The Center for American Indian and Rural Health Equity (CAIRHE)The Center for Bilingual and Multicultural EducationCollege of Arts & ArchitectureCounseling and Psychological Services (CPS)Crow Water Quality Project

D - Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation Native American Graduate Fellowship | Diversity & Inclusion Student Commons (DISC)

E - EMPower

F - Financial Aid

G - Gallatin CollegeGraduate Education in Health for Minority Scholars (GEhMS) | The Graduate School

H -Honors College

I -I LEADIndian Education for All Professional Development

M - Mind the GapMontana INBREMcNair Scholars Program | Messengers for Health 

N - Native American Studies 

O - Office of International Programs (OIP), MSU- Bozeman

R - Rockin the Rez 

S - Science Horizons Initiative |Senior Diversity and Inclusion Officer|Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership|Society of INdigenous EducatorsStudent Accounts Receivable, MSU-BozemanSummer Transportation Institute

T - Tribal College Librarians Professional Development Institute (TCLI)Tribal College Transfer InitiativeTRiO Student Support Services

U - Using Technology to Research After Class (UTRAC)

Admissions Office-Undergraduate

The Admissions Office hosts MSU Fridays throughout the year. MSU Fridays are all-day, on-campus programs which offers an in-depth preview of college life at Montana State University. Prospective students and their families will have the opportunity to meet with faculty and students, explore academic facilities, tour the campus, and investigate possibilities for financial aid and scholarships. During MSU Friday, there are specialized programs geared towards Native American students and their families. The Admissions Office also does daily visits, special Native group visits (which we help coordinate) and orientations.

Ronda Russell, Director of Admissions

406.994.5541 or [email protected]

Mike Ouert, Assistant Director of Recruitment

409.994.5411 or [email protected]

 

Admissions Office-Graduate

Go to the Graduate School's Admissions page to learn more. 

The Graduate School
406- 994-4145
[email protected]

American Indian Council (AIC)

The American Indian Council is a student organization for all Native students and their families and is housed in the American Indian Student Center (AISC). AIC has been established in order to assist new and continuing students in their adjustment to college life, to promote academic success through group support, advocacy, leadership, to encourage other students to attend MSU-Bozeman, and to foster pride in cultural heritage. One attribute that sets the AIC apart from other student groups at MSU is the use of our cultural heritage that is utilized to foster pride, integrity, and achievement at the college level and beyond.

The AIC has been supported through its own fundraising efforts such as the Wonders In Native Generations and Societies (WINGS) collaboration with Bozeman School District, Bozeman’s Christmas Stroll, MSU’s International Food Bazaar, MSU’s Office of Student Engagement student organization funding sources, as well as through the annual AIC Pow Wow. Additionally MSU’s Department of Native American Studies provides a large source of funding via it’s endowments for the AIC annual Pow Wow. The AIC recently experienced food preparation changes implemented by MSU in 2014 which impeded on how the AIC has traditionally fund raised at the annual Pow Wow. These funds were used to provide the majority of the AIC initiatives and events such as the annual AIC Fall and Spring picnics, Thanks-mass Dinner, as well as many other AIC lead initiatives that addressed important social/academic/personal/profession/community development opportunities.

Lisa Perry, AIC Co-Advisor, Director American Indian/Alaska Native Student Success
406.994.4880 or [email protected]

Nick Ross-Dick, AIC Co-Advisor, Program Manager American Indian/Alaska Native Student Success
406.994.5529 or [email protected]

Dr. Jioanna Carjuzaa, Co-Advisor
406-994-4941 or [email protected]

American Indian/Alaska Native Student Success (AIANSS)

The American Indian/Alaska Native Student Success program places a high priority on providing student support services that reflect a strong commitment to AI/AN student retention and success. AIANSS fosters AI/AN perspective, culture, values, and a supportive community. The program serves all American Indian/Alaska Native students who are seeking support to become academically and personally successful by offering 2 student computer labs/study spaces (Wilson Hall Room 1 and 1-155), free printing, scanning, faxing services, tutoring, emergency loans, academic advising, book scholarships, academic advising, personal and academic development initiatives like Dinner and Dialogue, Counseling and Psychological Services drop in hours, information about scholarships, financial aid, and referrals to campus wide resources that promote retention and support. AIANSS goals include: empowering AI/AN students to attain their plans for academic success by implementing targeted programming; providing direct student support services and academic advising; empowering students to become more resourceful in resolving issues and to be more resilient in meeting their challenges; engage students in cultural and social activities to help enhance community and a positive learning experience; build on the program foundation to sustain the mission on AIANSS.

AIANSS has been supported through various campus entities, the majority of which are through endowments via MSU’s Department of Native American Studies. Initiatives such as the Native Pathways To Success Orientation, Rocking the Rez (targeted recruitment to MT/WY reservation high schools), and Tribal College Transfer Preview Day (targeted recruitment for MT tribal college/university students) have been supported through MSU.

Lisa Perry, Director American Indian/Alaska Native Student Success
406.994.4880 or [email protected]

Nick Ross-Dick, Program Manager American Indian/Alaska Native Student Success
406.994.5529 or [email protected]

Kristie Russette, Outreach Coordinator / Recruitment Specialist, American Indian/Alaska Native Student Success
406.994.3334 or [email protected]

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)

The AISES mission is to increase substantially the representation of American Indian and Alaskan Natives in engineering, science and other related technology disciplines.

ASMSU - Associated Students of Montana State University 

ASMSU is the student government on campus, actively working to represent the students and be their voice. ASMSU oversees an executive team, 21 senators and 18 programs. They advocate for the students through drafting resolutions and budgeting over 1.1 million dollars in student fees. They oversee programs ranging from Outdoor Recreation to the Leadership Institute and the Procrastinator Theater. ASMSU also hires a lobbyist who advocates for higher education during the legislative sessions in conjunction with the 10 other MUS Campuses they work within an organization called Montana Associated Students. 
http://www.montana.edu/asmsu/

ASMSU President
406-994-6861 or [email protected]

Caring for Our Own Program 

The Caring for Our Own Program (CO-OP) was founded in 1999 to help improve the quality of health care in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities by increasing the number of qualified AI/AN nurses entering the health profession.CO-OP is a support program for AI/AN students pursuing their nursing degree at Montana State University. CO-OP’s goals are to increase the enrollment of American Indian nursing students in the College of Nursing at MSU and build a strong pool of AI/AN nurses who are prepared for practice, management, and leadership to serve Indian Country.

The CO-OP supports 35-40 American Indian or Alaska Native students annually.  Currently, this includes pre-nursing students, BSN students, accelerated BSN students and DNP students. Students receive weekly academic advice, nurse mentoring, customized tutoring and monthly cost-of-living stipends, tuition and book assistance (stipends contingent on available funding). The CO-OP receives grant funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Indian Health Services (IHS) “American Indians Into Nursing Program”. 

The CO-OP is located in Sherrick Hall Room 203.

Laura Larsson, Director
406-994-7504 or [email protected] 

May Heriza, Advising & Outreach/Retention Coordinator
406-994-5711 or [email protected] 

Center for American Indian and Rural Health Equity (CAIRHE)

The mission of the Center for American Indian and Rural Health Equity (CAIRHE) (“Care”) is to reduce significant health disparities in Montana’s tribal and non-tribal rural communities through community-based participatory research (CBPR) that is considerate of and consistent with their cultural beliefs. CAIRHE serves the people of Montana as a robust, interdisciplinary research center with strong engagement in communities across the state: http://www.montana.edu/cairhe/

The Center for Bilingual and Multicultural Education

The Center for Bilingual and Multicultural Education has been revitalized to support the Montana State University community and tribal nations across Montana by generating multiple funding streams focusing on the following program areas: “best practices” in the revitalization  and maintenance of Indigenous languages, facilitation of culturally responsive pedagogy in k-12 schools including the integration of Indian Education for All across the curriculum in all content areas and at all levels, as well as a variety of projects designed to promote social justice by increasing cultural sensitivity.

 Dr. Jioanna Carjuzaa, Executive Director
(406) 994-4941, 
[email protected]

Dr. William Ruff, Associate Director
406-994-4182, [email protected]

College of Arts & Architecture

The College of Arts & Architecture’s nationally-accredited and recognized programs in the Art, Architecture, Film, Music and Photography offer a rich array of academic experience. 

Our goal is to form a supportive community of and for Native American and indigenous students and scholars in the College of Arts and Architecture at Montana State University.  We meet every other week to eat pizza talk, laugh, and celebrate in addition get to know one another and the college better. Our members include students from different backgrounds and tribal affiliations, as well as those who do not identify as American Indian - everyone is welcome. http://www.montana.edu/caa/

JoDee Palin, Assistant Dean
406-994-6654 or [email protected]

Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS)

CPS provides free and confidential therapeutic and outreach/prevention services to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students to support their academic and personal success during their enrollment at MSU and beyond.  Therapy services include culturally sensitive individual, couples and group counseling; crisis intervention; a weekly walk in hour at the AI/AN Student Success Center; and referral.  CPS also conducts outreach programs to AI/AN students on a variety of topics salient to their success during college including microaggressions, transitioning to college, and building a community at MSU.  CPS staff members are also available for consultation, and trauma debriefings as needed.

http://www.montana.edu/wwwcc/

Crow Water Quality Project

This project is a collaboration of the Crow Environmental Health Steering Committee, Little Big Horn College and MSU.  The goals are to identify and reduce health disparities on the Crow Reservation resulting from exposure to contaminated drinking water sources and to improve community capacity in environmental health, especially in relation to water quality.  The community-engaged research, education and mitigation is guided by the Crow Environmental Health Steering Committee, a group of Tribal stakeholders and academic partners.  Little Big Horn College and MSU undergraduate and graduate student intern with and are mentored by this project. 

Dr. Mari Eggers, co-PI
406-994-3064 or [email protected]

Dr. Vanessa Simonds
406-994-7396 or

John Doyle, Community Principal Investigator, Little Big Horn College
406-638-3155 or [email protected]

Additional MSU faculty collaborators:

Drs. Deborah Keil, Jean Pfau, Stephanie Ewing, Scott Powell, Tim McDermott

Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation Native American Graduate Fellowship

The Washington Fellowship is awarded on a competitive basis annually to a student accepted into a graduate program at MSU. To be eligible applicants must be residents of Montana, enrolled in a Montana Native American tribe, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. The Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation funds the Washington Fellowship through MSU Foundation annually.

For application and deadline information visit:

https://montana.academicworks.com/opportunities/3184 

Maya Bronston, Assistant to the Dean & Fiscal Manager

406-994-4112 or [email protected]

Diversity & Inclusion Student Commons (DISC)

The mission of the MSU Diversity & Inclusion Student Commons (DISC) is to increase understanding, promote inclusion, and inspire critical thinking about diversity, as well as to provide support for those who identify with a wide range of diverse identity groups. The DISC offers a range of programs to foster community and belonging for students, and programs to educate the MSU community. The DISC "student commons" space in SUB 185 offers MSU students a space to study, make connections, access resources, and delve into topics of diversity and inclusion. Find more information about the DISC's programs, events, and services at http://www.montana.edu/studentdiversity/.

Barbara do Amaral, Interim Program Manager

406-994-5801, b[email protected] 

Empower

The Empower Program ("Empower") fosters the inclusion and success of underrepresented minorities and women in engineering and other fields of STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) at MSU. Empower is a student resource that provides a variety of support to all underrepresented students in all STEM programs on campus. Empower is housed in the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering, and includes MSU's Women in Engineering Program and American Indian Research Opportunities. The Empower Student Center in Norm Asbjornson Hall 267 provides a welcoming study area and access to free tutoring and other resources, including: scholarships activities to ease transition to life at MSU for freshmen and transfer minority students peer-to-peer mentoring for underrepresented minority STEM students guidance in arranging research internships and summer internships/jobs advising and financial support for minority student organizations professional and academic enrichment seminars and opportunities to network with STEM leaders free printing/copying services dedicated staff to assist students with academic and non-academic concerns
http://www.montana.edu/empower/

Susan Kelly, Director, Empower
406-994-5567 or [email protected] 

Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid processes Federal, State, Institutional and Tribal financial aid resources (scholarships, waivers, grants, loans work study, etc.)
www.montana.edu/wwwfa

Julie Watson
406-994-2845 or 406-994-6044 or [email protected]

Gallatin College

Gallatin College offers 1- and 2-year workforce degree programs for students interested in pursuing Certificate and Associate of Applied Science degrees. They also offer general education courses towards associate’s degrees; this can be a cost effective way to later transfer credits towards a bachelor’s degree. Gallatin College also teaches developmental (math, writing, college studies) courses at MSU to provide foundational skills for students to be more successful. 
www.montana.edu/gallatincollege

Nicole Berg (workforce programs) and Katie Michel (developmental education)
406-994-5536 or [email protected]

Graduate Education in Health for Minority Scholars (GEhMS)

The Graduate Education in Health for Minority Scholars (GEhMS) program at Montana State University (MSU) is designed to increase community capacity to reduce health disparities in our state by supporting underrepresented minority (URM) graduate students in biomedical and behavioral sciences who have strong ties to underserved Montana communities. Housed at MSU’s Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE), the program supports new and continuing URM graduate students in MSU health programs by facilitating opportunities to conduct community-based participatory research on health issues in their home communities, as well as by providing academic, financial, and social support.http://www.biofilm.montana.edu/gehms.html.

Dr. Anne Camper, Principal Investigator

Dr. Mari Eggers, GEhMS Program Coordinator 
406-994-3064 or [email protected]

The Graduate School

The Graduate School strives to foster an environment that produces outstanding graduate scholars who contribute new ideas and knowledge using creative and innovative approaches to solve challenges in an evolving world. 

http://www.montana.edu/gradschool/

The Honors College

The Honors College is an opportunity for academically motivated students to study, conduct research and exchange ideas in a supportive environment. Honors students study with outstanding and caring faculty members in small class settings. They have the opportunity to attend special seminars and events, as well as take part in study abroad and international experiences. The Honors degree is awarded in conjunction with the MSU degree.

I LEAD

The purpose of the I LEAD project is to recruit, educate, certify and place American Indian educators into administrative positions in schools with high populations of Native American students. The program will result in the award of a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and certification as a school principal. The curriculum focuses instruction on local school improvement initiatives through problem-based learning assignments. Each candidate will be assigned a mentor who is an experienced administrator in schools with high populations of Native American students. Classes will be delivered during the school year using computer-based instruction and summer classes held on the MSU campus at Bozeman, Montana. All participants must agree to serve as administrators in schools serving Native American children for a period of time equal to the length of their education and training.
http://www.montana.edu/wwweduc/ILEAD/

William Ruff, I LEAD Project Director
 [email protected]; (406) 994-4182

Indian Education for All Professional Development

Indian Education for All at MSU provides professional development opportunities for faculty, staff, and students at MSU and the Bozeman community. We explore the integration of quality IEFA content across all disciplines in an effort to close the achievement gap. IEFA benefits Indian students in several ways: by reducing anti-Indian bias resulting from a lack of knowledge, by enriching instruction through cultural relevance, and by instilling pride in cultural identity. Denise Juneau (Mandan/Hidatsa) asserts, IEFA is for all students: “This constitutional, ethical, and moral obligation, known as Indian Education for All, is not only for Indian students. In fact, its principal intent is that non-Indian students gain a richer understanding of our State’s history and contemporary life” (Juneau, 2006, p. 3).

Juneau, D. (2006). Montana’s agenda: Issues shaping our state, Indian Education for All. The University of Montana Press.

Dr. Jioanna Carjuzaa, Facilitator for IEFA Professional Development Opportunities
(406) 994-4941, [email protected], http://www.montana.edu/carjuzaa/

Mind the Gap

PI Tony Hartshorn; co-PI Jamie Cornish, co-PI Nick Lux; Hartshorn cell (480) 406-1277, email[email protected].

This MSU Provost-supported (2016-2017; $10K) effort to re-imagine place-based/indigenous models of improved recruitment and retention of American Indians builds on our UTRAC work and will focus on Blackfeet Community College students.

Montana INBRE

Montana INBRE (IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence) is funded by the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences and aims to mentor and develop the growing number of infectious disease, environmental health, and health disparities investigators at principally undergraduate institutions, tribal colleges, and the state's two research universities to sustain and grow a productive and competitive biomedical research network. The program develops and supports community-based participatory research (CBPR) initiatives led by Montana tribal colleges working in collaboration with tribal communities and health boards on Montana Indian reservations as well as investigators from partner institutions with the goal of addressing health disparities in rural and Native American communities. The state’s biomedical and bioinformatics infrastructure is strengthened by the program through continued development of shared facilities, research collaborations, focused working groups, and training opportunities. Montana INBRE also expands research opportunities for students and enhances biomedical curricula through college and graduate education to strengthen the pipeline to careers in health research and increase the scientific and technological knowledge of the state's workforce.

MSU-Bozeman is the lead institution, and partner institutions include UM-Missoula, MSU-Billings, UM-Western, MT Tech of the UM, Rocky Mountain College, Carroll College, Blackfeet Community College, Chief Dull Knife College, Aaniiih Nakoda College, Fort Peck Community College, Little Big Horn College, Salish Kootenai College and Stone Child College. 
http://www.inbre.montana.edu/

Dr. Ann Bertagnolli, Montana INBRE Program Coordinator
406-994-5214 or [email protected]

McNair Scholars Program - Website

This is the federally funded Department of Education TRiO Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program) (5-year $1.1M project). The goal of the McNair Scholars Program (MSP) is to increase doctoral degree attainment of underrepresented students (e.g. first generation & low income or multi-cultural minorities).  The MSP (which has just recruited its 7th cohort) provides students effective preparation for graduate school success by offering key sequence of services. Some of the examples of the MSP services include: undergraduate research internships, presentation experiences, financial support, personalized mentor-matching, graduate school admission workshops, seminars, and academic advising.

  • 107 students served and/or being “tracked” for 10 years post MSU graduation (3.5 GPA average)
  • 80% --- students both low-income & first-generation
  • 41% --- students racial/ethnic minority (18% of McNair Scholars are American Indian students)
  • 20% --- ALL: low-income, first-generation, & minority
  • 73%  --- McNair Scholars are in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)
  • 61% --- McNair Scholars in STEM are Female
  • 62% --- Graduate school enrollment


Director - Shelly Hogan, Ph.D.
406-994-5072 or [email protected]

Website: http://www.montana.edu/mcnair/

Messengers for Health

Messengers for Health is a community-based participatory research project between members of the Crow Nation and the Department of Health and Human Development at Montana State University. This partnership has been working together since 1996. We work on health topics of importance to the Crow community and benefit from having undergraduate and graduate students involved in our work. Messengers for Health is a soft-funded program. The program was funded from the National Institutes of Health beginning 7/1/16 for 5 years.

http://messengersforhealth.org

Dr. Suzanne Held at MSU 
406-994-6321 or [email protected]

Alma McCormick at Crow Agency
406-665-5492 or [email protected]

Native American Studies

The Department of Native American Studies (2-179, Wilson Hall) houses both the NAS academic department as well the American Indian/Alaska Native Student Success Services office. The Department of Native American Studies offers an undergraduate non-teaching Minor in Native American Studies. At the graduate level, NAS offers a Master of Arts degree and a Graduate Certificate in NAS. The Graduate Certificate is available fully online, and the first of its kind in the world. The department hosts activities throughout the year, such as the annual Phyllis Berger lecture, Native Heritage Day activities, and workshops and conferences. NAS is responsible for the Native Pathways to Success orientation program for incoming American Indian/Alaska Native freshman. The program supplements the MSU orientation program with information and tours geared towards Native students. Incoming freshman and their families tour campus and student housing arrangements, and learn about MSU career services, financial aid and budgeting tools, extracurricular activities and student groups. 
www.montana.edu/wwwnas

Dr. Walter Fleming, Department Chair
406-994-3881 or [email protected]

Office of International Programs (OIP), MSU- Bozeman

OIP offers students information and assistance for how to study abroad at over 40 partner institutions overseas and many more which aren’t direct MSU partners. Partner institutions cost no more than MSU tuition, plus an airline ticket. Local housing can be often cheaper than housing in Bozeman.
OIP also works with faculty on collaborative grant writing to partner with international institutions on areas of mutual interest.
www.montana.edu/international

Rockin the Rez

This Native specific outreach program works to promote higher education in highly American Indian populated areas. Native American Studies, in partnership with the Office of Admissions, plans recruitment trips to each of Montana’s reservations to talk with high school and Tribal College students about applying to college, financial aid/scholarships, research, and Native American support programs. Representatives from other Native support programs, such as EMPower, and CO-OP, also attend and share information about opportunities available through their programs.

Science Horizons Initiative

Teachers from reservation schools/college, schools near reservations and schools with significant Native American populations attend a week long intensive session on the MSU campus.  During this time each teacher develops an original unique science improvement project to take back to their respective schools.  During the academic year, the projects are implemented and the director follows up with on-site visits.  Funding for stipends, supplies for projects and living expenses have been supported by various campus agencies and departments such as Dean Letters and Science office, Thermal Biological Institute, NASA and the Department of Chemistry.  Participating teachers may also earn graduate credit in Physics, Earth Science, Ecology and Chemistry. This program was recognized with 2015 Excellence in Outreach Award.  The program web site (www.sciencehorizonsinitiative.com) provides other details and application materials.

Dr. C.W. (Bill) McLaughlin, Director

Senior Diversity and Inclusion Officer

MSU’s Senior Diversity and Inclusion Officer (SDIO) promotes an institutional culture that values and supports inclusion and guides MSU’s progress towards diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. This position was recommended in MSU’s 2017 Diversity and Inclusion Framework Report, which was written after hundreds of MSU students, faculty and staff provided feedback at a series of diversity summits and charrettes. As a direct report to the President and Provost, the Senior Diversity and Inclusion Officer provides leadership towards advancing inclusion and vision for the role of diversity in achieving institutional excellence.

http://www.montana.edu/diversity/

Ariel Donohue, Senior Diversity and Inclusion Officer

406-994-1040, [email protected]

Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership

The Montana University System SIGP Program was established in the fall of 2005. Indigenous (Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian with U.S. citizenship) graduate students pursuing degrees in a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) discipline at MSU may be eligible to apply for the scholarship program established by the A.P. Sloan Foundation. The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation funds SIGP at our partner institutions. SIGP grant cycles are 3 years long; MSU will apply for funding renewal for AY 2017-18. See the website for more information, including eligible programs.

http://www.montana.edu/gradschool/sigp/

Dr. Sweeney Windchief, associate professor, department of Education, MSU SIGP PI

Society of INdigenous Educators

The goal of the Society of INdigenous Educators (SINE) is to increase opportunities for American Indian students enrolled in the Teacher Preparation Program at Montana State University. By providing academic, personal, career, and financial support and guidance to our American Indian students we are contributing to the recruitment, retention, graduation, and placement of American Indian teachers and improving the diversity of the k-12 teaching corps.

Dr. Jioanna Carjuzaa, Faculty Advisor
(406) 994-4941, 
[email protected]

Alisha Fisher, Student Advisor
(406) 451-3376, [email protected]

Student Accounts Receivable, MSU-Bozeman

The Student Accounts office assists with the set up of payment plans for current and past due student account balances.
http://www.montana.edu/wwwbu/studentaccts.html

Wendy McCarty 
406-994-5538 or [email protected]

Amy Smith
406-994-7561 or [email protected]

Summer Transportation Institute

The Summer Transportation Institute (STI) is an innovative summer program for high school students guaranteed to spark their interest in transportation and other STEM careers through creative problem-solving and hands-on activities. Participants will have the opportunity to experience college life, explore career options, and improve their academic performance. Students gain skills in applied science and math, work together with their peers on design teams, and meet university and professional staff in the transportation and engineering fields.


The STI provides a stimulating introduction to all modes of transportation through professional presentations, field trips, and hands-on activities. Participants live in the dormitories on campus and participate in a sports and recreation program in the evenings and weekend. The program is free to all selected participants. Food, housing, and program expenses are paid for by a generous grant from the Federal Highway Administration and Montana Department of Transportation.

http://www.wti.montana.edu/ 

Susan Gallagher, MSU Western Transportation Institute
406-994-6559 or [email protected]

Tribal College Librarians Professional Development Institute (TCLI) 

Started in 1989 and sponsored by the Montana State University Library, TCLI is a week-long annual professional development opportunity for tribal college library personnel from all over the US and beyond; students interested in careers in librarianship at tribal college libraries are also invited to participate. No registration fee. TCLI typically draws 40 – 60 participants and is THE conference of choice for many of these librarians in this niche area of librarianship. Most tribal college libraries serve as both academic and public libraries in their communities, and thus they offer public programming such as after school and summer reading programs, cultural workshops (beading, tanning, storytelling, etc.), in addition to serving the academic information needs of tribal college students and faculty. TCLI coordinators have a successful history of securing grant funding to cover their travel expenses to Bozeman and the MSU Campus each May or June for this annual gathering. Funding sources include the Institute for Museum & Library Services, the National Agriculture Library, the National Museum of the American Indian, Paul G. Allen Foundation and EBSCO Information Services. Lead TCLI Coordinator, Mary Anne Hansen, maintains the TCLI discussion list, used by TCLI participants throughout the year to share ideas and strategies and engage in group problem solving.

Archived web address: http://www.lib.montana.edu/tcli/
Latest info: http://guides.lib.montana.edu/tcli

Mary Anne Hansen, Lead TCLI Coordinator , Professor/Research Commons Librarian, MSU Library;
406-994-3162 or [email protected]

Gary McCone, TCLI Co-Coordinator, Retired Head of Systems at the National Agriculture Library, Beltsville, MD;[email protected] or (410) 707-9307

Kathy Kaya, TCLI Founder, Advisor, and Retired Lead Coordinator, MSU Library Faculty Emerita, [email protected] or 406-586-5376

Dr. Loriene Roy, TCLI Advisor; Anishinabe, enrolled on the White Earth Reservation and a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe; Professor and Graduate Advisor at The University of Texas at Austin School of Information; (512) 471-3959 or [email protected];

Website: http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~loriene/index.html

Tribal College Transfer Initiative

This initiative works with administrators and faculty at Montana’s Tribal colleges and at MSU to improve the transfer process for Tribal College STEM majors.  The goal is to allow these students to envision and successfully undertake an academic path to a baccalaureate degree, understanding what to take at their Tribal college, how it will transfer to MSU, what courses they will have left to complete at MSU and who their advisor will be upon transfer.  All relevant Tribal college courses are reviewed to ensure appropriate transferability to MSU, and differences in syllabi are worked out with the faculty at both institutions.  STEM faculty representatives from multiple departments visit each Tribal college to meet with students and faculty counterparts. 

Dr. Anne Camper, Principal Investigator

Dr. Mari Eggers, Program Coordinator 
406-994-3064 or [email protected]

MSU Faculty Collaborators:

Drs. Vanessa Simonds, Bill McLaughlin, Jennifer Luebeck, Clayton Marlow, Elizabeth Kinion, Steven Stowers, Tony Hartshorn.

TRiO Student Support Services

The TRiO Student Support Service program at Montana State University - Bozeman is committed to increasing the rates of academic achievement, retention, and graduation among historically underrepresented students. This is accomplished by providing holistic and individualized support services that maximize students' innate abilities and draw upon available resources within, and outside of, the University to benefit students, families and the larger community.
http://www.montana.edu/triosss

Julian Collins, M.Ed., Director 
406-994-7480 or [email protected]

Connie Brownotter, Program Coordinator
406-994-7455 or [email protected] 

Using Technology to Research After Class (UTRAC)

PI Tony Hartshorn, Assistant Professor, Department. of Land Resources & Environmental Sciences; co-PI Jamie Cornish, Extended University; co-PI Nick Lux, Dept. of Education; Hartshorn cell (480) 406-1277, email [email protected].

This National Science Foundation-supported "Advancing Informal STEM Learning" research project (2014-2016, $250K) is defining the extent to which hands-on, inquiry-focused STEM activities influence outcomes for rural (including American Indian) learners.  Most of our work has targeted Gallatin Valley and Blackfeet Reservation learners.