BRIGHTON — The Seminole Tribe’s Higher Education Department conducted multiple information sessions this month on reservations. Topics included the Billy L. Cypress Scholarship, academic programs and student resources to the Work Experience Program (WEP).

Along with the information sessions, representatives from colleges and universities attended the sessions and spoke about the different academic programs each school offers to high school graduates.

At a session July 24 in Brighton, attendees heard from Florida Gulf Coast University, Indian River State College, Stanford University, Montana State University and the U.S. Army. The representatives discussed degrees, career services, campus life and student services. Montana State and Stanford talked about the Native programs offered by their schools.

Montana State offers the Caring for Our Own Program (CO-OP) support program for Native American students who pursue nursing degrees. A goal of the program is to increase Native enrollment. The school also has the American Indian Hall, which is a dedicated space to Native students on campus. The American Indian Hall includes Indigenous gardens, Native artwork and a drum room.

Stanford, in Northern California, has a Native American Cultural Center which conducts programs, lectures, performances and conversations around Native issues. The center is a place for Native students to learn, grow, make friends, and find support. Stanford also conducts its own powwows, according to its website, which states there are more than 450 undergraduate and graduate students representing more than 50 tribes and island communities studying at Stanford.

Toward the end of the information session, tribal member Ace Youngblood, a college graduate and former WEP participant, shared her thoughts about her collegiate experiences and the benefits and services offered to the tribal community by the Education Department.

“I think what we’ve seen here today is how colleges are supportive of Native American education and supportive of the development of Native youth.” Youngblood said.

“Tribal students walked away with a better understanding of scholarships, college readiness, and the importance of staying grounded in their heritage while pursuing higher education. The significance of this event reaches beyond academics; it’s about shaping the future leaders of the Seminole Tribe,” said Jeri Joiner, Higher Education and WEP manager.

For more information about Higher Education, contact the Education Department at 954-989-6840.