NOC-NASNTI staff activities the last two years have helped march toward the Connecting Students to Promising Pathways goal to increase the number of Native American and low-income student accessing and succeeding in postsecondary education. Specifically, Kathy Jackson, Title III NASNTI Renewable Energy Specialist has been working with NOC Division Chair Dr. Frankie Wood Black in expanding access to a high-demand degree option, Renewable Energy. This article from the Enid News & Eagle describes how NOC prepares their students for careers in energy fields.

Northern Oklahoma College, North Central Oklahoma’s leading educational institution, is proud to announce the renovations to the Process Technology (PTEC) building on the Tonkawa campus are complete. The extensive renovation project has transformed the facility focused on innovation and learning, equipped to support existing PTEC programming, as well as new programs focused on Renewable Energy and Precision Agriculture.

Through funding provided by a Department of Education Native American Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI) grant project, Connecting Students to Promising Pathways, the PTEC building has been revamped with a forward-thinking vision to prepare students for the evolving demands of the modern world. The redesigned facility and equipment purchased showcase the institution’s commitment to sustainability and the practical application of emerging technologies in critical fields.

The highlight of the renovation is the introduction of a dedicated 1,800 square foot classroom and bay area that will house advanced equipment and resources. This dynamic space provides a place where students can engage in hands-on learning experiences, collaborative projects and in-depth research.

The Wind Energy option under NOC’s Electronics Technology program will empower students to explore alternate energy sources, develop sustainable practices, and contribute to a greener future. The program encompasses a comprehensive curriculum that covers solar energy, wind power, and other renewable energy technologies, providing students with skills and knowledge to make a positive impact in the industry.

The Precision Agriculture program revolutionizes traditional farming practices by integrating technology and data-driven methodologies. Students will learn how to leverage precision agriculture techniques to optimize crop production, reduce resource consumption and enhance overall efficiency in the agricultural sector.

“We are extremely excited to unveil the newly renovated PTEC building, which will serve as a catalyst for the Associate of Applied Science Program Options in Wind Energy and Precision Agriculture,” said Diana Watkins, Vice President for Academic Affairs. “The renovation of this facility combined with the innovative curriculum offered will equip our students with the skills and expertise necessary to address the pressing challenges in these critical industries”

Dr. Clark Harris, NOC President, stated, “This expansion reflects our commitment to providing industry-relevant education and fostering a culture of innovation. These programs will provide students with important skills to keep our industries competitive in North Central Oklahoma.”

The transformation in this space embodies the institution’s dedication to cultivating a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for the jobs of the future. Through these new programs, Northern aims to inspire the next generation of leaders and professionals.

For more information about the PTEC building, the Renewable Energy option, or the Precision Agriculture program, please contact NOC Registration.

On October 1, Northern Oklahoma College started year two of the awarded $2.2 million U.S. Dept. of Education Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTI) Grant, Anna Roland, NASNTI Title III Grant Project Director recently announced.

  The five-year project, entitled “Connecting Students to Promising Pathways” is to be completed 2021-2026 and has three life-changing initiatives.

  The initiatives include the development of new STEM academic programs and supporting course options.  Also, the grant provides strengthened student services and build the capacity to support remote learners with disabilities.

  With the grant funding, NOC will develop a new Renewable Energy option under the Associate of Applied Science in Electronics Technology and Associate of Science in Precision Agriculture as well as courses in Data Analytics that support both new programs. A classroom/laboratory and greenhouse classroom will be created in the PTEC Building to support program instruction. Dollars are also being directed toward improving career/transfer student services, refining needs assessments during NOC onboarding and professional development for faculty.

   Roland is eager to continue work on the new project with NOC staff and faculty, “NOC’s commitment to creating Applied Science degree programs that improve the employment options for their service area’s residents and also improve student services for their students is to be commended.”

  Engineering, Physical Sciences & Process Technology Division Chair Dr. Frankie Wood-Black is excited for the potential of the grant.

  “The renewables portion of the grant will help us provide quality college to work-force education to support our industrial partners,” Wood-Black said.  “Wind, renewable energy, and data analytics are seeing a rise in employment opportunities in our State and surrounding areas.  Understanding these operations as well as interpretation of the information produced (data analytics) will assist supporting the current energy industries as well as helping our State attract additional employers.  Providing our students with the skills to pursue jobs, as well as continuing education in these growing fields improves everyone’s quality of life in our State.  We are excited to be opening these opportunities and forging relationships with our community stakeholders as well as our industrial partners.”

  Prior to this, NOC completed a five-year project 2016-2021 totaling $1.74 million that developed the Cultural Engagement Center at NOC Tonkawa and created several opportunities to support Native American and low-income student success.

Northern Oklahoma College completed a five-year project “Merging Tradition and Technology:

Engaging Native American and Low-Income Students to Complete College” this fall.

The $1.74 million project was funded through the United States Department of Education’s Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTI) grant program and three key initiatives were led by grant staff to help NOC strengthen and improve existing services; expand access, and develop student support.

To expand access to high demand, high quality courses, NOC instructors redesigned 29 online courses to meet the rigorous Quality Matters standards and set up six Tribal Access Sites for computer/ITV course access at Kaw Nation, Osage Nation, Otoe-Missouria Tribe, Pawnee Tribe, Ponca Tribe, and Tonkawa Tribe. The redesigned courses and the access sites provided opportunities for students to attend class at a distance, breaking a transportation barrier for many.

Sara Hawkins, NASNTI Distance Learning Specialist assisted with setting up and institutionalizing the access sites. She is enthusiastic about the sites adding, “the sites allow Tribes and their communities a place to study, do homework, take tests and a place to work toward their dreams.”

“Northern Oklahoma College is a much better place because of the many great services and spaces that we were able to develop due to the funding of the NASNTI grant,” said NOC President Dr. Clark Harris. “Both Native American and non-native students will have an enriched experience because of these services and spaces. The large mural by Osage artist, Yatika Starr Fields will open people’s minds to the Native American experience. We will all consider this excellent art and our Native American neighbors as students, employees and community groups use this gathering space.

The access that has been developed at the six tribal locations will be a great benefit to our Native American students. This provides NOC with one more avenue to assist our Native American community. Thank you to everyone that put in tremendous amount of work to make this project a reality.”

Tribal Education Director for the Tonkawa Tribe, Lisa Norman complimented NOC’s project and plans to “continue to work with NOC, striving for the betterment of our Native American students.”  In addition, the Pawnee Nation plans to retain the equipment and provide access to O-Live, ITV, and online courses offered at NOC. Students interested in utilizing any of these sites may contact their tribal director for the spring semester or NOC’s Enrollment Management Department.

The second initiative of the NASNTI project was to develop and improve online services. An online learning assessment was created and helped students and faculty gauge aptitude for distance learning. Additionally, Financial Aid processes were reviewed and improved by providing an Ask an Advisor link, as well as creating videos that explain the sometimes-daunting process of applying for financial aid.

The grant project also assisted with NOC’s conversion to a new student information system, Jenzabar One. Through this state-of-the-art system, students have the capabilities to plan a degree path, enroll themselves through the myNOC portal, and track information needed for transferring to the next institution, if necessary.

The final initiative for the project involved developing support for Native American student success. Several activities were developed through this initiative, but most notable was the renovation to create the Cultural Engagement Center (CEC). This area of the Tonkawa campus is connected to the Vineyard Library and hosts two collaboration rooms, a faculty development studio, a wireless techlab, and a large gathering space for students to hang out or have events.

Social Science faculty member Brenda Pennington said, “Our Cultural Engagement Center gives our Native students a sense of belonging, and is a positive and necessary support system for our Native students. As a result, the students feel comfortable in knowing there is a place on campus dedicated to their success. This is evident in their involvement with the Center and in their willingness to take advantage of the programs it offers. This in turn benefits them in the classroom in terms of meeting the expectations of assignment completion and in communicating with the instructors.”

Barbara Nickles, a Volunteer Income Tax Assistant (VITA) Coordinator, has seen first-hand the resources. Each spring, Nickles brought a team to the CEC, aiding students and others with their tax forms. Several language revitalization and artist’s exhibits were hosted throughout the life of the project in the CEC and in time, provided the avenue to create a community partnership between Hugh Pickens and NOC to install a 40’x 60’ mural painted by Osage artist, Yatika Fields.

Regarding the mural, Fields said, “the Mural will bring forth new imagination to students and help evolve cultural significance and relevance to the initiatives that are being developed by NASNTI. I have seen the long-term goals being met and made in the last three years I have been a part of NOC in programming, I look forward to seeing the program evolve and help both Native and non-Native be inspired to reach for the stars.”

Furthering support for the Native-American student population, a mentoring program was developed and each semester, 10 Native American, college experienced mentors from the community assisted up to 35 mentees each by coaching and sharing information that would promote success as well as encourage.

Choctaw mentor and artist Kristin Gentry “enjoyed working with students from the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations to help them stay on track for their tribal scholarship, semester enrollments and any help they needed with financial aid. I was also fortunate to have an art exhibition in the center for Native American students at NOC to attend. It was great getting to chat with them, show them my art, and share time together with some of my mentees.”

Native American Student Success Specialist, Gina Connewerdy will remain on staff at NOC as the CEC Director and Native American Liaison and will continue to provide mentoring services and is available to help Native American students from her office inside of the Cultural Engagement Center.

Overall, the five-year project has been greatly successful, and data supports that the Native American and low-income population the project targeted have seen increases in retention and degree attainment.

Dr. Pamela Stinson, Vice President of Academic Affairs is extremely pleased with the success of the project. “Through the funding of the NASNTI grant, NOC has been able to strengthen processes and student support services in so many areas with benefit to the grant’s targeted population of Native American and low-income students but also the NOC population as a whole,” she said. “The renovation of the Cultural Engagement Center as a gathering place, the support for training and professional development on better serving diverse populations, and the development of a mentorship program for Native students, all of these initiatives have made NOC even stronger. Anna Roland, Project Director, and her staff, Gina Conneywerdy and Sara Hawkins, have all made a lasting mark through the work of the grant, and we are excited to continue to serve our students through the Cultural Engagement Center.”

Northern Oklahoma College, the state’s first public community college, is a multi-campus, land grant institution that provides high quality, accessible, and affordable educational opportunities and services which create life-changing experiences and develop students as effective learners and leaders within their communities in a connected, ever changing world.