Digital Pathways

Digital Pathways, was a successful five year community-based distance education program for New Mexico’s American Indian Nations. Based out of New Mexico State University (NMSU), its design brought higher education opportunities to the American Indian population, especially in fields in which the tribes have a high need. The program sponsored conferences to bring together tribal and educational leaders for discussions, hands-on demonstrations, and information sessions on NMSU and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) distance education programs. Outcomes included a focus on distance education as one solution to postsecondary educational needs in American Indian communities. These communities are often rural and economically distressed, making them excellent candidates for distance education programs.

Another benefit of distance education that emerged at the 2004 conference was the ability of distance education programs to keep the best and brightest students at home during critical years of cultural and leadership development.

Digital Pathways operated under a partnership with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, New Mexico State University, Southwest Indian Polytechnic Institute, and New Mexico Tribal Higher Education Commission. Special appreciation goes to the Digital Pathways Team that served American Indian distance education students throughout the state of New Mexico: Dr. Carmen Gonzales and Dr. Donald Pepion as principal investigators; Mentors Wenona Nutima, Kathleen Yeppa, and coordinator Melody Munson-McGee.

Partnerships

Tribal

• Acoma Pueblo
• Cochiti Pueblo
• Eight Northern Indian Pueblos
• Laguna Pueblo
• Santo Domingo Pueblo
• Zia Pueblo

Institutional

• Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI)
• Diné College

Resources Used

• NMSU Albuquerque Center
• American Indian Program
• College of Extended Learning
• Indian Resource Development Program
• Scholarship Booklet

Publications and Press Releases

Articles

• Two days of collaboration for DE in American Indian communities, UpClose Newsletter
• Strategic approach focuses on planning, awareness, support, and coordination, UpClose Newsletter
• Solid Foundation: Laying the groundwork for distance education in the pueblos, Panorama Magazine
• 2004 Digital Pathways Conference Proceedings, NMSU Distance Education Web site

Press Releases

• July 1, 2008: NMSU Digital Pathways program helps Nambe Pueblo resident reach goal, University Communications Press Release
• March 12, 2007: NMSU Digital Pathways mentors understand tribal members’ needs, University Communications Press Release