Santa Fe, NM – The Expanding the Circle program at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA)
is a unique academic outreach initiative that provides culturally-relevant services and support to Native American high school students from the 22 pueblos and tribes in New Mexico. Expanding the Circle will offer several programs for Native American youth this summer, the Summer Enrichment Program (June 20 – July 10, 2010), the Native Youth Summit (July 14 – 16, 2010) and the College Road Trip (July 30 – August 6, 2010).. Each will provide students with opportunities to explore postsecondary options and to challenge themselves academically and individually. Programs are offered to qualifying students free of charge.
The Summer Enrichment Program provides a three-week residential summer session for Native American students of the 22 pueblos and tribes in New Mexico. Academic preparation and personal development for rising high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors is emphasized. Through participation in college courses and culturally relevant curriculum, students will have the opportunity to experience college in an environment that values their culture and promotes their success in life. Participants who complete the program will receive the added bonus of earning three IAIA college credits. To be considered, a student must be a freshman, sophomore or junior in high school, have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher, be a Native American student from one of the 22 pueblos and tribes of New Mexico and be able to commit to attending a 3-week residential program at the IAIA campus in Santa Fe, NM.
The Expanding the Circle Native Youth Summit offers a three day, hands-on career experience for Native high school students in New Mexico. Students select from a list of disciplines offered at IAIA and then have the opportunity to work on projects that provide insight about the educational paths they can take to attain a higher education degree in that field.
Finally, the Expanding the Circle College Road Trip grants students exposure to colleges and universities in order to learn more about the admissions process, the purpose of financial aid, and even experience college dorm life. The road trip lasts for a week and will stop at various schools in both Arizona and California.
Elizabeth Bahe, Expanding the Circle Director says that “Our programs offer high school students a wide opportunity to participate in activities that promote their success in high school in order to continue on to college.” Her colleague and ETC Academic Outreach Coordinator, Alissa Chavez, adds “It is incredible to see how much the students grow during the program. Some students have never had the experience of being away from home and by the end of the program you can see how much confidence they have developed in themselves and their abilities.”
For more information about any of these opportunities, or to register, please call 505.424.2341 or visit www.iaiaetc.org. For more information about IAIA, please visit www.iaia.edu.