Iowa State University
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Initiatives with Tribal Institutions

In 1997 the College requested and was granted support from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation to invite representatives of Tribal College named as land-grant institutions in 1994 to attend the 1998 National MANRRS Conference in Iowa, hosted by Iowa State University.

Thirty-eight representatives from 17 Tribal Colleges attended the 1998 Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS). As a result of such a positive response, the Dean of the College, David Topel, named Professor Harold Crawford to chair a new committee -- the Tribal College Task Force.

"Our initiative with the Tribal Colleges began in 1998 in order to 'build the land-grant community.' The positive relationships created have resulted in mutual benefits such as student enrollments and exchanges and faculty collaboration for project and faculty development." --David G. Topel, Dean, ISU College of Agriculture, 1989-2000

Tribal College Task Force

The goal of the Tribal College Task Force, a volunteer committee, is to advance opportunities for collaboration between the College of Agriculture and the 1994 Land-Grant Tribal Colleges. The committee seeks to facilitate relationship building and to provide service to those interested in linkages with the 1994 institutions.

For information, contact Harold Crawford, 515-294-7725

Significant ISU Activities with Tribal Colleges

MANRRS Conferences 1998-2000
Through ISU’s invitation and W. K. Kellogg foundation support, over 100 students and faculty from 24 of the 30 land-grant tribal colleges attended one or more national MANRRS Conferences in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Faculty and students from Crownpoint Institute of Technology, Salish Kootenai College and Sitting Bull College participated all three years.
Initial Priority Setting Initiative 1998
ISU and South Dakota State personnel met with representatives from six Tribal Colleges in 1998 and identified top priorities to Tribal Colleges:
Building Relationships through Campus Visits

ISU personnel have learned about Tribal Colleges and established relationships through campus visits to 21 of the 30 Tribal Colleges.

Students or faculty from 13 Tribal Colleges in the North Central Region attended the 1999 Tribal Conference and Teaching Symposium and 8 Tribal Colleges were represented at the 2000 North Central Agricultural Administrators Joint Meeting. In addition several Tribal Colleges have visited ISU for field trips and collaborative activities.

Natural Resource Partnerships though Project Grants

USDA Higher Education Challenge Grant, $221,000, 1999-2002

ISU Project: "A Partnership for Curriculum Development Linking Iowa State University and Tribal Colleges"

Purpose: To strengthen the environmental and natural resources studies programs at four Tribal Colleges.

Iowa State University provided technical assistance for Tribal Colleges to offer their own courses on-line.

USDA IFAFS Grant, $3,876,000, 2001-2006

ISU Project: "A Land Grant Network to Enhance Tribal college Community Natural Resources Education Programs"

Purpose: Iowa State University, through its Tribal College Task Force will provide leadership for a natural resource education program focusing on the needs of small to mid-size farms and ranches and Tribal College communities located in the upper Missouri River watershed area.

Partners:

Capacity Building through Internships

Several Tribal College or Native American undergraduate students at other institutions have participated in the summer research internship program conducted by the College of Agriculture.

American Indian Higher Education Consortium

1994 Tribal Colleges and Universities