Student Professional Development Grants Update
Program Overview
Student Professional Development (SPD) grants provide experiential learning opportunities that boost your professional literacy and open doors to exciting career possibilities. As you develop your professional skills, you can gain a deeper understanding of your future employment options.
Grant Details
If awarded, you will receive $2500, depending upon your project’s focus, outcomes, and duration.
Join us in shaping a brighter future for yourself. Your journey to personal and professional growth begins here.
Explore Experiences from Past Grant Receipients
Internship
Gain practical experience in your field of study or career interest, even virtually.
Research
Dive into structured investigation and analysis to develop valuable skills.
Service Learning
Combine community service with skill development for positive change.
Field Work
Apply research methods to your curriculum for deeper understanding.
Internship
Hon’mana SeuketeoMa
Tohono O’oDham Community College
AA - Fine Arts
Tohono O’odham
“This experience has taught me how important timeline tracking during projects is important. There would have been greater success in submitting my evaluation form on time and fi nishing my proposed documentary project if I had established a timeline of events to follow during the fall semester. I also learned about the process of applying to grants and working with them to achieve the goals of my projects. It has been a wonderful experience in regards to exposure. The time spent working with the Student Professional Development grant has given me great confi dence in my chosen career and helps me look forward to putting my work out there. Thank you for the opportunity.”
From Hon’mona’s Advisor:
From your perspective, how was this grant project helpful in developing the student’s career trajectory?
“I believe that this project is helping Hon’mana professionalize and find their voice. They are learning the ropes of film production, while staying centered on their mission of protecting the Ha:san and bahidaj within the O’odham Himdag.
I can see Hon’mana leaving TOCC with a strong project that will take them into the world of documentary filmmaking, or video a rt, or even social practice art forms. I believe many opportunities will open up to them with this project because it is both personally and politically relevant work, that no one else is better qualified to create.”
Research Project
Avery TIlley
University of Georgia
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Cherokee Nation
“This experience has profoundly impacted my career goals as an aspiring tribal wildlife veterinarian. By bridging the worlds of wildlife conservation and veterinary medicine through a tribal lens, I have gained invaluable hands-on experience working with wildlife while viewing conservation efforts through the cultural context of indigenous communities. Communicating my findings via a manuscript will contribute to scientific knowledge and demonstrate that integrating these traditionally separate fields is possible and essential for holistic conservation efforts. Furthermore, this project has allowed me to develop educational resources aimed at inspiring and nurturing the next generation of tribal wildlife biologists and veterinarians. By sharing my journey and insights, I hope to empower indigenous youth to pursue careers in wildlife management and veterinary medicine, ensuring the continuation of culturally sensitive conservation practices within tribal communities. This project has solidified my passion for supporting tribal wildlife management from an indigenous veterinary perspective and laid the foundation for a future dedicated to advancing the intersection of indigenous knowledge and modern conservation practices.”
From Avery’s Advisor:
From your perspective, how was this grant project helpful in developing the student’s career trajectory?
“ery much so. Avery’s involvement in this project has significantly advanced his career trajectory. He demonstrated a deep commitment to integrating cultural perspectives with scientific research, a crucial skill for a future tribal wildlife veterinarian. I am confident he will excel in this field, and I am pleased to support him in this endeavor”
Service Learning Project
Lora Miller
Yuba College, California
Human Services / Social Services
Bear River Band the Rohnerville Racheria
“By having this opportunity, I was able to apply the skills I have learned on paper and in school, in a real time setting. Learning to manage this grant helped me to understand capacity along with managing deliverables in a timely manner. I was also able to connect two different entities under one grant, raising awareness and support in areas of critical thinking, positive psychology, group and individual cooperation, communication & anger management tools.”
From Lora’s Advisor:
From your perspective, how was this grant project helpful in developing the student’s career trajectory?
“This grant gave Lora valuable experience that will allow her to grow in her current position at our organization. Being a nonprofit that runs purely off of grants, having an additional person that can apply and manage grants is hugely beneficial. It’s also a transferrable skill that she can take with her if she decides to work at a different nonprofit/community organization.”
Field Work Project
Lawrence Village Center III
Sitting Bull College, North Dakota
BS-Environmental Science
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota
How did this experience impact your proposed career goal(s)?
“This experience impacted on my proposed career goals by allowing me to see what is expected from every position of employment on a co-op farm. It gave me insight into the different duties of maintaining progression and that sometimes the growing the season doesn’t always go as planned. I enjoyed this experience because it gave me knowledge of new types of soil, agriculture management, water management, time management, how important it is to inform and involve the community.”
From Lawrence’s Advisor:
From your perspective, how was this grant project helpful in developing the student’s career trajectory?
“This grant was helpful in developing Lawrence’s career by exposing Lawrence to new ideas that are relevant to his agricultural goals. Lawrence’s career projectory is unique in that there are many facets to it and focuses on a long term plan. Lawrence has a high awareness of his surroundings and areas where education is needed. This grant provided one additional step to launching his career. “
Tribal Colleges and Universities
Tribal colleges and universities provide dynamic higher education opportunities, most on or near reservation lands. Known for their remarkable programs, culturally-relevant curricula, and familial student care – tribal colleges allow students to further their careers, attain an advanced degree, or better support their communities.
