Many tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) have a strong focus on career and technical education (CTE), offering students a plethora of opportunities to develop skillsets that prepare them for the workforce. In today's job market, there is a dearth of skilled laborers such as hospitality workers, construction managers, dental hygienists,…

Findings from this descriptive psychological phenomenological study identify distinct patterns of identity expression in multiracial Native American students. Participants used selective invisibility to avoid monoracialism or feeling invisible to their institution and there were personal reservations about the authenticity of their Indigenous…

Informed by an adaption of the tri-level reform framework, we collaborated with a First Nation district student assessment committee, school principals, and district personnel to develop a student assessment policy. Through a series of workshops and meetings with school administrators and classroom teachers from Tsuut'ina Nation, located in…

Seeking to enhance efforts toward diversity in the teaching profession, this study used a heuristic methodology to explore how the lived experiences of high school students of Color participating in an education pathways high school course shaped their perceptions of the teaching career. Critical race theory (CRT), critical whiteness studies, and…

Despite one in 25 students in Washington identifying as American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN), many Indigenous students and families feel disconnected from the education system. Native students rarely see their identities, cultures, or histories reflected in established curricula. Further, traditional curricula often reinforce settler-colonial…

Background: Despite overall declines in risky teen sexual activity, racial and ethnic disparities persist. This study compared abstinence-only and comprehensive teen pregnancy prevention (TPP) programs to explore the effects of the programs on teen sexual activity-related outcomes that may differ by race/ethnicity. Methods: Program evaluation data…

Students of color at predominantly white institutions have been underserved by chaplaincy services. This study investigates why that is and what can be done. The experiences of Native American students at Susquehanna University provide a critical lens on this history and potential paths forward. The growing religious and ethnic diversity in higher…

Utilizing Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), we investigated the importance of identity-based factors such as personal inputs and contextual affordances (e.g., having children, being married or employed, school-family conflict, stress, participating in Native American cultural activities) in understanding Native American undergraduates'…

This paper explores how the educational and career paths of Indigenous people in STEMM have been impacted by ethical, cultural, and/or spiritual issues. Based on a survey of over 400 Indigenous students and professionals in STEMM fields, plus over 30 follow up interviews, we find that these issues cause some Indigenous people to leave particular…

In this paper, we draw upon a narrative inquiry alongside two creators of an out-of-doors Nipugtugewei Kindergarten program within a Mi'gmaw community, in northeastern Canada. Our intention was to understand their schooling, educational, and communal experiences over time. Diverse field texts were composed and interpreted alongside participants.…

This research builds a narrative of a nationwide study on tuition waiver and tuition assistance programs. The authors administered a survey to long-standing and newly implemented tuition waiver programs within universities that identified limitations and opportunities. The purpose of this study is to highlight the varied approaches to…

Counseling students who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC) may experience discrimination that negatively affects their overall wellness. This quantitative study assessed wellness, burnout, and discrimination for 105 graduate-level BIPOC counseling students. Results showed a relationship between discrimination and wellness.

Native American undergraduate students have the lowest college degree completion rates, between 0.7% and 1%, of those earning an undergraduate degree (National Center for Education Statistics, 2017). The purpose of this study was to contribute to the research literature to improve college success by answering this research question: What are the…

Racial segregation can occur not only between schools but also within schools, and there has been particular concern that gifted & talented (G&T) programs may increase within-school segregation at the primary school level. This paper evaluates the contribution of G&T education to racial segregation using data on the presence and racial…

American-Indian and Alaska Native students attending Midwestern Regional University (MRU) are experiencing graduation rates lower than the national average. This dissertation in practice attempts to solve this real-world problem by providing a voice for the indigenous students at MRU so that services and policies can be adjusted to increase the…