Abstract
Colleges and universities are creating programs to expand Indigenous student participation. This study reports the backgrounds, experiences, and outcomes of students participating in one such program at the University of Colorado Denver, called Environmental Stewardship of Indigenous Lands (ESIL), that offers an academically transcripted certificate. Applying the principles of Collective Impact, the goal of ESIL is to develop a Community of Practice including Indigenous community representatives, faculty, students, and alumni. This community works to deliver a culturally responsive academic certificate program that combines coursework, workshops, internships, and mentoring. Using evaluation data comprising journey mapping, student surveys, and alumni interviews, we identify seven factors that bring students into the program, three key aspects of their experience within the program, and show that the ESIL program has changed knowledge and attitudes by providing a safe space for students to engage in Indigenous worldviews within the context of their own academic experiences. These elements advance a positive expansion of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
DOI:10.18260/3-1-1153-36072
Authors: David C. Mays, Timberley M. Roane, Brenda J. Allen, Rafael Moreno-Sanchez, Grace Redshirt Tyon, Rynthia Rice, Jessica L. Romero, Christine Velez