Unique partnership offers NEO students new transfer scholarship
Miami, Oklahoma – Tuesday, June 30, 2015 – Students PJ Attocknie (Peoria) and Kolton Kitterman (Cherokee) of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) were recently awarded full-tuition transfer scholarships by the University of Illinoisat Urbana-Champaign, a top-ranked public, land grant research institution.
In February, Illinois officials announced the creation of the Illinois Heritage Scholarship to be awarded to Native American transfer students for up to six semesters of study, with preference given to members of nations connected historically with the present State of Illinois.
The new scholarships resulted from the Peoria Tribe of Indians and Illinoisofficials’ shared efforts to increase educational attainment. The Peoria Tribe is headquartered in Miami, along with other tribes that were removed from Illinois by the Indian Relocation Act including the Miami, Ottawa, Shawnee and Wyandotte tribes.
Last August, Peoria Chief John Froman invited NEO to enter into a triangular partnership with the University and Tribe based upon his belief that the College has proven successful in meeting the needs of American Indian students.
When notified of the new scholarships by University officials, NEO staff informed all students who met academic transfer and scholarship criteria to meet with University of Illinois officials and students when they visited NEO and attended the Peoria Tribe’s annual meeting in March.
Attocknie, from Quapaw, Oklahoma will transfer into the University’s online Earth, Society and Environmental Sustainability program and plans to pursue a career in tribal leadership. Kitterman, originally from Oologah, Oklahoma, was accepted into the Kinesiology campus-based program and plans to become a physical therapist upon earning his degree and completing professional school.
Both students said they intend to use this opportunity to ultimately serve their tribes and the Native American population.
Upon learning of his selection, Attocknie said, “Earning two degrees at NEO has been the first step to accomplishing my goals and with this scholarship, I am presented with the opportunity to attend a university that previously seemed way out of reach.”
Illinois boasts the largest student consulting firm in the United States and University Chancellor Phyllis Wise commissioned the work of two student teams to assist in the efforts this year. The first identified avenues for collaboration and the second researched best practices to support Native American transfer students. Chief Froman credits the early outcomes of the partnership to the teams.
“Illinois Business Consulting, a student based program, allows students at the University of Illinois to work on real life business scenarios, as well as develop a plan of action. The IBC Team did an outstanding job on this particular project, as they have done on past projects for the Peoria Tribe. Working with fresh, young minds has been a very pleasant experience. It is very exciting to create a business model, but the real joy for myself is to see the model working to expand education opportunities for our Native American students.”
Chancellor Wise said, “I am thrilled with this opportunity to collaborate with NEO and the Peoria Tribe. Chief Froman and President Hale have been strong partners in this important strategic commitment for our campus. The University’s Native American House Director, Jamie Singson, has been a critical liaison between the campus program and the NEO American Indian Center for Excellence.”
Tuition costs vary by program and course delivery format, but the base rate for out-of-state students is $30,788. Additionally, the Chancellor’s Scholarship may be added to help cover housing for students with unmet financial need.
Up to five scholarships will be awarded annually in future years, and the University plans to actively recruit students from NEO.
PJ Attocknie Kolton Kitterman