Northwest indian college (nwic) will use this funding to increase opportunities for indigenous science students to experience and engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (stem)…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a $3,000,000 Cooperative Agreement under the Geographic Programs - Puget Sound Protection and Restoration: Tribal Implementation Assistance Program (CFDA 66.121) to Northwest Indian College (NWIC). The award will be used by NWIC to increase opportunities for Indigenous science students to participate in STEM professional development through targeted internships over a 3-year period from March 2025 to August 2028. Key project activities include hiring an internship coordinator, onboarding and placing 33 student interns, developing a mentorship program, hosting 6 annual welcome and closing gatherings, supporting 3 years of STEM conference participation, and delivering 12 professional development workshops. The intended outcomes are to provide increased STEM professional development for Indigenous students, enhance organizational capacity of NWIC, strengthen mentorship networks, facilitate community building, and promote student exposure and career advancement in STEM fields.

Northwest indian college (nwic) will use this funding to increase opportunities for indigenous science students to experience and engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (stem) professional development through targeted internships. This project is consistent with nwic's teaching philosophy which prioritizes student mentorship, is grounded in place, and prioritizes relationship building and knowledge exchange that is community focused.activities:this project aims to support ten student interns, as well as one post-BAC intern per year over three years. Activities include matching students' interest with community needs, development of mentorship relationships, travel to stem conferences, on-boarding and gathering of student interns to support and celebrate their work.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:IT is anticipated that this project will result in the hiring of an internship coordinator, the onboarding and placement of 33 student interns, developing a mentorship program, six annual welcome and closing gatherings, three years of conference participation, twelve professional development workshops, and regular semi-annual progress reports. Expected outcomes of the project are increased professional development opportunities for indigenous students, enhanced organizational capacity of sponsoring agencies, stronger mentorship networks, community building, student exposure to stem fields, career advancement, and diverse workforce engagement. The intended beneficiaries are indigenous students attending the northwest indian college and the communities to which they will return.