Source: UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA submitted to NRP
THE HOOP OF LEARNING PROGRAM
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1031359
Grant No.
2023-70411-41356
Cumulative Award Amt.
$355,399.00
Proposal No.
2023-05951
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Sep 18, 2023
Project End Date
Sep 17, 2026
Grant Year
2023
Program Code
[NBTS]- New Beginning for Tribal Students
Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA
(N/A)
LINCOLN,NE 68583
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The Hoop of Learning Program is an Indigenous college and career pathway program that will increase enrollment, retention and graduation rates for Native American students in the Lincoln Public Schhols, Southeast Community College and the University of Nebraska. The program will create cohorts of Native American students and their families to participate in academic and culture monthly events, complete dual-credit classes, and connect with support services and personnel at all three institutions. The Hoop Program will provide a long-needed academic and culture Indigenous college and career pathway for the the Indigenous community in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
50%
Developmental
50%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
80260503020100%
Goals / Objectives
To increase enrollment, retention and graduation rates for Native American students at Lincoln Public Schools,Southeast Community College and the University of Nebraska.
Project Methods
The methods for the project are as follows:1. The Hoop of Learning Coordinator and LPS, SCC and UNL support personnel will prepare promotional and enrollment applications and meet with LPS Native American families to inform them of the program.2. They will create student cohorts of12 students in 2024, 18 students in 2025and 18 students in 2026 to participate in the program.3. Dual-credit (college/high school) classes will be created for the cohorts to complete to receive college credits while still in high school.4. Academic and culture monthly events will take place at all three institutions (LPS, SCC and UNL) to create a family relationship between students, their families and Hoop Program personnel.5. Hoop studdents will complete a year in the program and then enter into a mentoring program to assist new hoop students that come into the program.6. While in the program, Hoop students will connect with support personnel and programs at all three institutions to assist them and their families with issues that may prevent them from staying in school and graduatingfrom high school and college.

Progress 09/18/23 to 09/17/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The UNL/SCC Hoop of Learning Program is a college bridge pathway program for Indigenous 11th and 12th grade students in the Lincoln Public School District. Students will enroll in SCC college classes that will give them both college and high school credit. Classes will be held on Saturday mornings from 9am - 12pm at Southeast Community College. Fall semester classes include: English 1010/Composition I course and ACFS1015/College Success course for a total of four college credits. Spring semester classes will be announced at a later date. Students who participate in this program will receive SCC scholarships to pay for tuition and fees, and a $500 stipend per semester for personal expenses. Students are expected to maintain a 2.0 GPA both in their high school and college classes while attending the program. Upon successful completion of The UNL/SCC Hoop of Learning Program, students will receive a certificate of completion from UNL and SCC. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Spring semester classes include: Introduction to American Indian Studies (NICC credit) and a Personal Finance class (SCC credit). The Intro to American Indian Studies Class will be held on Thursday evenings from 6-9pm at the Plant Sciences Building on UNL East Campus and the Personal Finance class will be on Saturday mornings from 9am-12pm at Southeast Community College Campus on 84th & O Streets. Students who participate in this program will receive NICC/SCC scholarships to pay for tuition and fees, and a $500 stipend per semester for personal expenses. Students are expected to maintain a 2.0 GPA both in their high school and college classes while attending the program. Upon successful completion of The UNL Hoop of Learning Program, students will receive college credits from NICC and SCC and high school elective credits from LPS.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? We started the Hoop of Learning program on March 28-December 7, 2024. We met in class for the spring semester from March 28-July 22, 2024 on Monday nights from 6:00-8:00pm at UNL East Campus Plant Scienc Hall. We offered an American Indian studies clakss. We met in class for the fall semester from August 24-December 7, 2024 on Saturday mornings from 9:00-12:00pm. Students received grades and a certificate of completion.The students received 4 credits from SCC for the fall semester in English 1010 and the ACFS 1015 classes.

Publications