NSU continues partnership with American Indian Resource Center

Federal funding expands AIPEC program to include alternative teacher certification

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State University’s (NSU) College of Education will continue its partnership with the American Indian Resource Center Inc. (AIRC) through a new round of federal funding for the American Indian Professional Education Consortium (AIPEC) grant.

AIRC recently announced continued funding for AIPEC, allowing the partnership with NSU to continue through a federal sub-award. Dr. Vanessa Anton, dean of the College of Education, serves as principal investigator for the NSU sub-award.

AIPEC provides financial and professional support to eligible Native American students pursuing teacher education at NSU. Under the renewed funding, the program has been expanded to include students pursuing alternative teacher certification, providing another pathway for eligible students working toward teacher licensure.

The program has been revised to address the needs of Native American communities and Oklahoma’s educator workforce. The addition of alternative certification allows eligible students pursuing teacher licensure through a nontraditional pathway to participate in the program.

“Continuing our partnership with the American Indian Resource Center allows us to build on a program that has supported teacher candidates at NSU for years,” Anton said. “The addition of alternative certification gives eligible students another way to enter the teaching profession while providing the support they need to complete their certification.”

Eligible Native American students accepted into NSU teacher education or approved alternative certification programs may receive financial support for tuition, books, testing fees, test preparation classes and technology. Participants also have access to mentoring, professional development seminars and field experiences.

Program eligibility and available benefits are determined by the AIPEC grant. Students interested in the program should review the eligibility requirements and application information through the NSU College of Education.

NSU President Rodney Hanley said the continued partnership supports teacher candidates and Oklahoma schools.

“Preparing qualified teachers benefits students and schools across Oklahoma,” Hanley said. “We appreciate the American Indian Resource Center’s continued partnership and the opportunity to help eligible teacher candidates complete their preparation and enter the teaching profession.”

Interested individuals can apply at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJTtDCj_Lp7ReQeNqERNj522kWpLbClFdGVFGdBJJAVbOXyg/viewform.

For more information about the College of Education at NSU, visit coe.nsuok.edu.

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