Wokini Initiative - A New Beginning - South Dakota State University

Goals and Projects

The Wokini Five-year Plan Fiscal Year 2018-2022 consists of three goals. Each is designed to provide a holistic approach to advancing American Indian student success as well as building effective partnerships with tribal communities of South Dakota.

Goal 1:

Transform 成人视频 to create a welcoming environment for American Indians by increasing 成人视频鈥檚 staff/faculty capacity, knowledge and understanding of Oceti Sakowin history and culture through training, professional development and other learning and networking opportunities.

Goal 1 Objectives
  • Examine 成人视频 policies and practices and, if necessary, make recommendations for changes based on adherence to principles of diversity, access, inclusion and equity.
    • Summer 2018: Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (CETL) Director and Wokini Program Director
    • Summer/Fall 2018: Provost, Vice President of Research and Economic Development and Wokini Program Director
  • Develop and implement an annual training calendar on priority topics for staff and faculty using CETL; Office of Diversity Inclusion, Equity and Access; American Indian Student Center and American Indian Studies input and collaboration.
    • Fiscal Year 2021-22: CETL Director, American Indian Student Center (AISC) Director and Wokini Program Director
  • Collaborate with existing grant opportunities to develop and deliver professional development focused on cultural competency for researchers on a consistent and annual basis.
    • Fiscal Year 2018-19: CETL Director, AISC Director, American Indian Studies Coordinator and Wokini Program Director
  • Create subsequent professional development programming including, but not limited to, myths versus facts and perpetuating the stereotypical 鈥淚ndian,鈥 first-generation college students, poverty, historical trauma and adverse childhood experiences and current issues facing tribal communities and American Indians.
    • Fiscal Year 2018-19: President鈥檚 Council, Wokini Leadership Council and Office of Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Access
  • Provide professional development opportunities for faculty and staff with a focus of Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings which include:
    • Lands and environment
    • Identity and resiliency
    • Culture and language
    • Kinship and harmony
    • Oral tradition and story
    • Sovereignty and treaties
    • Way of life and development

Goal 2:

Improve American Indian student enrollment and success by providing effective support in all aspects of the university experience to increase the number of American Indian graduates.

Goal 2 Objectives

Steadily increase American Indian student enrollment and Wokini scholarships awarded:

  • Summer/Fall 2018: President, Marshall Matz and South Dakota Congressional Delegation
  • Begin Summer 2018: President, 成人视频 Foundation Vice President for Development and Wokini Program Director
Year2018-192019-202020-212021-222022-23
Scholarships$115,000$305,000$570,000$870,000$1,170,000
Programming$50,000$50,000$50,000$50,000$50,000
  • Introduce and promote 2019 USDA Farm Bill funding for "New Beginnings," which provides $5 million annually to land-grant universities and TCUs ($500K/institution) who engage in Wokini-like programs.
    • Begin construction Fall 2018, Occupancy January 2020: Associate Vice President for Facilities and Services and AISC Director
  • Collaborate with fundraising campaigns to ensure required resources are available for scholarships and programming: 
    • Fiscal Year 2019-20: Provost, Vice President of Research and Economic Development, Director of Extension, AISC Director and Wokini Program Director
  • Design and build a stand-alone American Indian Student Center to enhance student connections with one another and the university. 
    • Begin Summer 2018: AISC Director and Director of Admissions
  • Create opportunities for American Indian students to become involved in research endeavors both on campus and within tribal communities.
    • Begin Summer 2018: AISC Director and Director of First-Year Advising
  • Enhance student recruitment initiatives for American Indian Students to include effective prospective student outreach and recruitment and pre-college programs.
    • Begin Fall 2018: Provost, Vice President Student Affairs, AISC Director and Director of Admissions
  • Provide effective and targeted academic advising, counseling, mentoring and supplemental instruction in key life skills. 
    • Begin Fall 2018: Provost, Vice President Student Affairs, AISC Director and Director of Admissions
  • Continue providing Wokini scholarships for TCU faculty to support the TCUs goal of strengthening faculty credentials.
    • Begin Fall 2018: Provost, Vice President Student Affairs, AISC Director and Director of Admissions
Year2018-192019-202020-212021-222022-23
Enrollment275325375425500
Scholarships Awarded154590150210
  • Provide Wokini scholarships for TCU students who have:
    • Completed an Associate鈥檚 degree and are planning to pursue a four-year degree at 成人视频 or
    • Completed an undergraduate degree and are pursing a master鈥檚 degree at 成人视频.

Goal 3:

Strengthen university partnerships with tribal communities in South Dakota through trusting relationships, outreach, strategic networks and ongoing effective communication.

Goal 3 Objectives
  • Establish a President鈥檚 Advisory Board consisting of tribal presidents/chairmen or designee from each of the nine Tribal Nations in South Dakota to advise 成人视频 on current issues/needs.
    • Fiscal Year 2021-22: Vice President of Research and Economic Development, Director of Extension and Wokini Program Director
    • Fiscal Year 2021-22: Vice President of Research and Economic Development, Director of Extension and Wokini Program Director
  • Develop and implement an annual tribal/TCU research partners鈥 communication plan to include communications from both 成人视频 and tribal researchers and other key stakeholders. Utilize a variety of methods including meetings, summit, phone conference, Skype and social media.
    • Fiscal Year 2018-19: Vice President of Research and Economic Development, Director of Extension and Wokini Program Director
  • Establish research-area-specific cohorts that include both 成人视频 and TCU/tribal community members to establish effective lines of communication and collaboration.
    • Fiscal Year 2018-19: Director of Institutional Research, Director of Extension and Wokini Program Director
  • Develop a long-term research/development strategy with interested TCUs.
    • Fiscal Year 2018: Office of Academic Affairs
  • Create an online accessible database with a complete inventory of 成人视频 Extension and research programs including AIs and tribal communities.
    • Summer 2018: President and Wokini Program Director
  • Develop and maintain a memorandum of understanding and articulation agreements with TCUs.
    • Fall 2018: President and Wokini Program Director
  • Establish relationships with key stakeholders in tribal communities to build collaborative working relationships focused on the achievement of mutual goals.