2007 Digital Pathways Conference Facilitating Distance Education for American Indian Communities
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico
August 6-7, 2007

Criminal Justice

Dr. Jim Maupin

The Department of Criminal Justice at NMSU is working to increase the number of American Indians with Bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice. The degree completion program utilizes online classes, which allows for American Indian students to study without having to leave their community. Classes are set to begin Fall of 2007.

Health and Social Services

Dr. Larry Olsen

The College of Health and Social Services at New Mexico State University offers numerous degree programs for students who are non-traditional, location-bound.  Several of the programs are offered entirely on line, and others require some face-to face contact.  Each of these degrees, from the Baccalaureate through the Doctoral Program in Nursing, will be explained.

Hotel Restaurant Tourism Management

Darren Bloomquist

The Laguna Development Corporation Distance Education Certificate Program is a partnership between LDC and the School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management at New Mexico State University. The School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management was founded in 1998 and is ranked among the top 25 programs in the country. It has nearly 400 majors and offers over $77,000 in scholarships annually through the School. The School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management is at the forefront of distance education. The students, LDC employees and Laguna Pueblo, are members with proven leadership qualities. The program is not open to non-pueblo employees at this time, but the program includes women and men from various departments, varying educational background.

The program utilizes LDC infrastructure, which includes dedicated room for lectures and multiple computer terminals for Internet access. Certificate content includes five courses approved by LDC. The program was created for LDC, but is within the HRTM curriculum so credits earned during the program are fully transferable into the School of HRTM degree plan.

Lectures are delivered on-line via broadband connection, through PowerPoint with audio overlay, and email communication and discussion group capabilities. Bi-weekly material-review lectures at Route 66 Casino training center. The program solely funded by the Laguna Development Corporation.

Admission/Financial Aid

Angela Mora

This session will focus on the admission, enrollment, and registration processes for American Indian students at NMSU. Issues related to financial aid for American Indian students will also be discussed.

Distance Tools

Julia Parra, Denise Welsh, & Robbie Grant

This session will provide a demonstration of video conferencing, WebCT, and Centra. These tools are used to deliver distance education courses, enhance face-to-face courses, and provide the opportunity for individuals to collaborate at a distance. Video conferencing systems are well established in public schools, community colleges, universities, and businesses and can be used as a way to enhance learning and reduce travel costs. WebCT is a course management system often used for distance education and to supplement face-to-face courses. Centra is a real-time conferencing application that allows multiple users to meet in a virtual environment through the use of microphone and earphones. The session will provide a short overview of each technology.

Discussion

Dr. Jeffrey Hamley & Dr. Samuel Suina

Leaders will facilitate a group discussion incorporating issues and concerns voiced during Monday’s program sessions. The discussion will conclude with planning next steps in the effort to increase the number of educational opportunities to American Indian communities.