SPECIAL GRANT PROGRAMS


Special Programs Introduction | Learning Support Center (LSC) | Native Games | Native Culinary Arts


LEARNING SUPPORT CENTER (LSC)


What Is the Learning Support Center?
IAIA proudly serves a unique population of gifted young artists and scholars, many of whom are first-generation college students and face many challenges. At present, the recidivism rate for Native American college students is almost twice that of non-Indians. We at IAIA want to prepare our incoming students for the demands and rewards of college life and college-level academic work.

For these talented and determined students, the Learning Support Center aims to create an institution-wide atmosphere of culturally integrated support. Funded by a five-year, $1.9 million grant from the US Department of Education, the Learning Support Center has a single goal: to increase student retention through culture-based learning support. Three performance indicators measure our achievement; over the course of the five-year program,

• retention rates will increase an average of 4% annually,
• course completion rates will increase by 4% annually, and
• drug and alcohol abuse incidents will be reduced by 50%.

Who is the Learning Support Center?

ACTIVITY COORDINATORS
Frances Bannowsky - Critical Skills Coordinator
Jane Oliver - Counseling Coordinator
Diane Reyna (Taos Pueblo) - First Year Experience Coordinator

OUTREACH OFFICE
Alissa Chavez - Academic Outreach Officer

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Richard Tobin - Program Director

How Does the Learning Support Center Work?
The Learning Support Center achieves its goal of student retention through six distinct yet interrelated areas of program activity.

This multi-faceted strategy is a culturally invigorated learning model inspired by the circle, the Native symbol for balance and harmony. The Learning Support Center encourages academic success by providing support in all arenas of student experience. The six Learning Support Center activities work together to achieve results: increased student retention, heightened academic success, and campus-wide involvement in positive, healthy, and productive behavior.


What Does the Learning Support Center Bring to IAIA?
Over the course of the Learning Support Center project, team members will address the ongoing personal and academic needs of the IAIA student population. We believe that positive college experience and the achievement of educational goals will prepare our students to pursue lives of excellence as working artists, educators, and members and leaders of their tribal communities.

In addition, many of the LSC ’s objectives directly address issues raised by the NCA accreditation process. Above and beyond the immediate scope of its activities and programming, The Learning Support Center will strengthen IAIA as an institution. We in The Learning Support Center seek opportunities to initiate change and create new channels for institutional growth on behalf of our students.


Learning Support Center (LSC)
Institute of American Indian Arts
83 Avan Nu Po Road
Santa Fe, NM 87508
505/424-2341 LSC@iaia.edu