Progress 09/01/04 to 08/31/05
Outputs
The initial Associate of Science degree in Natural Science curriculum was developed and passed by the curriculum committee. This transfer degree program reflected the changing needs of students and community to be more competitive in the job market. Potential employers i.e. Glacier National Park and Blackfeet Tribe required more education at the technician level. The next area that needed to be addressed was this curriculum compatible with the Montana University system for the 100 & 200 level core requirements. Objective 2.Offer three degree options in Environmental Science that are related through similarities in knowledge, skills, abilities, human requirements, ecological factors and Blackfeet culture. There was a total of twelve core requirement courses offered during this academic year that were specific designed for the Natural Resource Management program. The courses are designed in such a way that students are exposed to the western management philosophies for natural resources, but get the unique values and perspective of the Blackfeet people. Incorporating the Blackfeet Culture and Western sciences can seem difficult, fortunately Blackfeet Community College Faculty are willing to take on these challenges. The Blackfeet Studies Department at BCC and Blackfeet Tribal Elders were very important resources, when incorporating the Blackfeet Culture into the Natural Resource curriculum. Objective 3: Continue the AAS degree in Natural Resource Management and provide training and retraining for those employed in natural resource occupations. The need to recruit new students in all disciplines at Blackfeet Community College is a focal area. The Natural Resource Management degree program graduates 8-12 students annually, in order to keep majors consistent each year an average of 10 new students must be recruited each academic year. The main recruitment areas are from the Browning and Heart Butte High Schools located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation as well as the surrounding communities of Cut Bank and Valier. The traditional age students went directly to the four universities before Blackfeet Community College started recruiting, improving facilities and offering a variety of educational degrees and certificate programs. Objective 4: Monitor student enrollment and retention in both degree programs for Academic Year 2005-2006 and promote Blackfeet culture in the curriculum. The student internships have been a very important core requirement of the Natural Resource Management degree program. The students are placed with a number of Blackfeet Tribal programs, Bureau of Indian Affairs Blackfeet Agency office and various other federal and non-federal entities. These internships give students first hand on-the-job training, which they do not receive in the traditional classroom setting. The students learn the day to day activities and responsibilities of Natural Resource Managers and technicians in the field and offices alike. The challenge for the Natural Resource Management program during the semesters is getting employers to take students when there are concerns about liabilities. PRODUCTS: No products. OUTCOMES: The Natural Resource Management program of study has been one of the highest enrolled programs of study since 1996. Students that live in an area with the Rocky Mountains to the west, two national parks within a few minutes drive and see the diverse flora and fauna on a daily basis enjoy a program of study that helps them better understand the philosophical and cultural differences while managing these valuable natural resources. The USDA Director Mr. Terry Tatsey and Natural Resource Instructors Ms. Patricia Atkins and Mr. Keith Tatsey know the importance of this program. Involving the community, advisory committee, students, natural resource professionals and Blackfeet Nation will ensure an educational program of study of quality and Blackfeet Cultural integrity. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Programs were advertised through the local newspaper, Glacier Reporter, Blackfeet Community College's website, college fairs, local high school seniors, college visits to other communities. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Continue to improve the degree programs and work with the university systems in Montana for transferability of credits.
Impacts
The students that have gone on to take courses to further their educational and those who have graduated with the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Natural Resource Management have benefited from this program of study and educational experience. The two Natural Resource Instructors were once students, Ms. Patricia Atkins continued her education and completed her B.S. degree in Environmental Studies at Salish Kootenia College. Mr. Keith Tatsey completed the two degree in Natural Resource Management at Blackfeet Community College and went to get his B. S. degree in Elementary Education from the University of Great Falls. Many of the graduates in the Natural Resource program of study have completed their Bachelors degrees and are continuing in graduate programs, while others are currently directors of the Blackfeet Tribal Natural Resource programs.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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