2019-2020 YEARBOOK
College Freshman Year Initiative College Freshman Year Initiative
TM TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of contents...... 3 YAKOKE!...... 3 Program Highlights...... 4 Program Impact...... 5 Camp Chahta...... 6 Carl Albert State College...... 7 Eastern Oklahoma State College...... 12 Southeastern Oklahoma State University...... 16 Student Employment...... 20 Juan Aldana...... 20 Ryan Toon...... 20 Chief’s Leadership Class...... 21 Chief’s Leadership...... 21 Covid-19...... 22 College FYI students persist through adversity...... 22
Our Vision Living out the Chahta spirit of Faith, Family and Culture.
Our Mission To the Choctaw proud, ours is the sovereign nation offering opportunities for growth and prosperity.
YAKOKE! The College Freshman Year Initiative would like to extend a special thank you to our leadership, including: • Paula Harp – Senior Director, Education • Jim Parrish – Executive Director, Education • Stacy Shepherd – Executive Officer, Tribal Services • Teresa Jackson – Senior Executive Officer, Tribal Services • Assistant Chief Jack Austin, Jr. • Chief Gary Batton We are extremely thankful for the leadership throughout the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma for making this program available to our Choctaw Tribal Members.
3 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Through the College Freshman Year Initiative (FYI), we look to unify the community of Choctaw students and empower them to make informed decisions about their academic futures. With the assistance of First Year Experience coordinators and partnerships with various campuses across the state, Choctaw students will find the appropriate tools to achieve their goals through graduation.
Two Year First Year NODA Region IV National Conference Annual Conference The College FYI program The College FYI program at at Eastern Oklahoma State Eastern Oklahoma State College College presented at the TYFY was chosen to present at the National Conference in Seattle, NODA Region IV Conference Washington. Their session about their unique ways to make highlighted the innovative ways financial literacy fun. NODA is in which a college and tribal an association for orientation, nation partnership cultivates End of Year Survey transition, and retention in strong relationships and 2019-2020 College FYI students Higher Education. provides necessary tools for completed a survey to assess student success. student satisfaction. 92% stated that College FYI had a significant impact on their freshman year. Additional benefits indicated in chart
Jamie Irwin is the Director of College Freshman Year Initiative. Jamie is a Choctaw Nation tribal member from Hartshorne, Oklahoma. She received her associate degree from Eastern Oklahoma State College. She then went on to obtain her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from East Central University. Jamie worked in the public education system for eighteen years before accepting a position with Choctaw Nation in the fall of 2015. She previously served as the Choctaw Nation Success Coach at Eastern Oklahoma State College before being promoted to Director.
4 PROGRAM IMPACT
College FYI served approximately 162 freshman Tribal Members between the following campuses: Carl Albert Eastern Oklahoma Southeastern Oklahoma State College State College State University
86% of students who earned 87% of students who orientation credit during Camp contracted with College FYI Chahta continued their education for 2019-2020 continued their in Spring 2020. education in Spring 2020. Campus breakdowns are as follows: Campus breakdowns are as follows: • 85% retention at CASC • 89% retention at CASC • 85% retention at EOSC • 93% retention at EOSC • 88% retention at SOSU • 81% retention at SOSU
College FYI provided $20,750 in scholarship funds for the 2018-2019 year. These students met the following eligibility requirements: • Completed the CFYI program at CASC, EOSC or SOSU. • Maintained good academic standing. • Attended at least 80% of individual meetings and events for College FYI.
Lindsey Henry is the Program Specialist for College Freshman Year Initiative. Lindsey is a Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma tribal member from Antlers, Oklahoma. She graduated from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in May 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Lindsey has worked for Choctaw Nation since March 2011 and College FYI since February 2016. She previously served as the Choctaw Nation Success Coach at Southeastern Oklahoma State University before accepting a position as Program Specialist in January 2019.
5 CAMP CHAHTA
In Fall 2019 a total of 108 Choctaw Tribal Members attended Camp Chahta at our three campuses: Carl Albert, Eastern and Southeastern. This was the largest group of students in the history of the College FYI program. These students were brought on campus early to network with campus faculty and staff, Choctaw Nation leadership, and other new students. In addition, they were able to experience the Choctaw culture, learn about Choctaw Nation programs, and resolve any financial paperwork through the campus.
6 CARL ALBERT STATE COLLEGE
7 2019-2020 Campus Highlights
Random Acts Stress Free Zone of Kindness CASC College FYI students CASC College FYI students were able to relieve some stress visited the local nursing home from finals by painting, making to deliver gift bags to residents. slime and participating in other These gift bags included corn activities for “Stress Less Week.” husk dolls that were made during Heritage Month events.
Honoring Our Heritage The College FYI program at CASC partnered with the college to bring a week-long celebration of Native American Heritage Month for all students and staff to enjoy.
STUDENT QUOTE “My favorite College FYI memory would have to be the first week when we met everybody. I made a couple of friends that I hang out with and see nearly every day. I’m happy this group gave me new lifelong friends.”
Katie Herr is the College FYI First Year Experience (FYE) Coordinator at Carl Albert State College (CASC). Katie is a Choctaw Nation tribal member from Poteau, Oklahoma. She graduated with her associate degree from CASC, then went on to earn her bachelor’s in psychology at Northeastern State University. Katie previously worked in the mental health field for four years and has been in her current position with Choctaw Nation since June 2017.
8 Student Ambassadors
Maddison Colwell Mason Colwell Jagger Meshaya Ryan Toon
Carl Albert State College Freshmen
Bryce Armstrong Braxton Bailey Alizah Baker Ivan Baker, Jr. Cheyenne Barnes
Drew Benefield LaDonna Birchfield Dawson Blair Victoria Blemmel Ashlyn Branham
Olivia Bridges Kynsie Brown Sarah Busse Kaitlin Carter Megan Charlton
9 Devon Coleman Kailee Daney Isabella Fields Raelyn Herell Haylee Himes
Lillian Howard Chayla Huggins Nicholas John Versile Johnson III Raven Kenner
Elizabeth LeMay Samantha Lopez Jaida Luper Ryan Makerney Drucille Martin
Laney May Conager McBroom Marlene Miller Preston Moreland Abbigail Newby
Kasi Noah Ayla Oare Karis Partridge Rilegh Pate Carlie Powell
10 Graeson Ramsey Abree Singleterry Shae Singleterry Trever Sockey Tyler Sockey
Kendal Stinson Amber Taylor Laney Tiffee Kieran Tom Elizabeth Waldrop
Kristen Watson Ashton Willis Savannah Young
STUDENT QUOTE “Katie, thank you for all that you have done to guide me through my freshman year of college. I am so thankful for you and your program. I would have been so lost without your guidance! Not only did you guide, but you also put me and the other students first. You made us feel like we could do it and that we could accomplish our goals. Sophomore year will be different not having our weekly meetings, but I know you’ve set us up for great success. Thank you for all you have done!!”
11 EASTERN OKLAHOMA STATE COLLEGE
12 2019-2020 Campus Highlights
Native November Join the Fun Students at EOSC participated in EOSC College FYI hosted a activities for Native November. booth for incoming freshman at During this week-long event, Mountaineer Mania. Students students enjoyed Indian tacos and were able to stop by and learn participated in multiple activities about what College FYI has to including Rock-Your-Mocs, offer from FYE Coordinator, stickball and Native art painting. Melissa Juarez and Director, Jamie Irwin.
Money Matters EOSC hosted Financial Literacy Week, and students participated in financial activities and games such as Cash Cab. Students were asked various finance related questions and received prizes for answering correctly. In addition, students completed a mock FAFSA in preparation of applying for the 2020-2021 school year.
STUDENT QUOTE “Melissa, you devote a lot of your time, not just to me but to all the others in your program. I would like to thank you for helping me with any questions I’ve had throughout the year. You have been helpful with keeping me up on applications and due dates for those applications. And thank you for all the reminders of gas vouchers which really helped throughout the year.”
Melissa Juarez is the First Year Experience (FYE) Coordinator at Eastern Oklahoma State College (EOSC). Melissa is a Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma tribal member from Panola, Oklahoma. She earned her associate degree from Eastern Oklahoma State College, then went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in clinical rehabilitation/clinical mental health counseling from East Central University. Melissa previously worked in education and has been in her current position with Choctaw Nation since January 2017.
13 Student Ambassadors
Lawrence Wood Sydney Shelton
Eastern Oklahoma State College Freshmen
Shaelyn Brown Cade Buchanan Chasity Busby Makayla Campagna Georgie Cantrell
Carson Cheek Brittny Blake Dull Nolan Feazle Gabriel Gibson Doyle-Wilson
Rachelle Hatcher Cheyenne Holman Kayla Jean Clara Johnson Kylie Jolley
14 Alissa Kindred Jaycee Kitchell Lani Monks Shandee Noah Trevor Roberts
Ralee Roberts Ethan Robertson Hallie Sutterfield Madison Wall Cassidy Ward
STUDENT QUOTE “You have significantly helped me get through my first year of college, and more years to come. I am thankful for you and your extra help! I love being a part of your team and program as well. You have went completely out of your way to help me throughout this year. Any confusion I’ve had, you were always there to help. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without you. No matter how dumb I have felt at times of confusion, you have never judged me. You have made my first year of college a complete success, through all the hard times and struggles. You have definitely helped me overcome them.”
15 TM
16 2019-2020 Campus Highlights
Celebrating Success Tailgate Nineteen College FYI students The College FYI program at at Southeastern Oklahoma State Southeastern Oklahoma State University were recognized at the University hosted a tailgate for Freshman Success Reception for Homecoming. Students enjoyed achieving at or above a 3.25 GPA snacks and celebrated before for their first semester. the big game.
Technology Breakfast Twenty-three College FYI students at Southeastern Oklahoma State University woke up early on their day off to complete their Technology Allowance application.
STUDENT QUOTE “You helped me stay in line, keep my grades up, and supplied me with gas vouchers. You have also helped me grow closer to many more people, making new friends and memories. This is my first year of college and it was one for the books. I don’t think it would’ve been the same without you!”
Kelsi Rainwater is the College FYI First Year Experience (FYE) Coordinator at Southeastern Oklahoma State University (SOSU). Kelsi is a Choctaw Nation tribal member from Marietta, Oklahoma. She earned her bachelor’s degree in liberal and applied studies from SOSU in December 2017. Before starting her career with Choctaw Nation, Kelsi was an active member of the Southeastern community as a student. She accepted a position with Choctaw Nation in November 2017 and has been in her current position as FYE Coordinator since January 2019.
17 Student Ambassadors
Jacey Angello Heaven Brown Jessica Robbins
Southeastern Oklahoma State University Freshmen
Lesli Armstrong Bailey Beard Bethani Bishop Maddison Campbell Krissy Collins
Madeline Dills Jakob Dry James Dry Josie Frazier Lea Haase
Coby Harris Justice Hartman Nathan Hawks Kreed Heiskell Haley Hicks
18 Lauren House Shay James Jaci Joines William Loehr Baylee Miller
Mikayla Miller Britta Montgomery Marli Nagel McKinna Nagel Callie Palmer
Jillian Parker Haiven Perry Ashleigh Pittman Seth Prizznick Darren Rios
Jackson Self Kendra St. Clair Cheyenne Tyler Malori Underwood Jarrett Vantrees
Travis Wade Deanna Wall Nicholas White Sabrina Williams Dominic Wynn
19 STUDENT EMPLOYMENT Juan Aldana
Juan Aldana was selected as the College FYI Student Worker at Southeastern Oklahoma State University due to his outstanding attendance during his time in the CFYI program. Juan, as a student worker, helped with such tasks as CFYI workshops, promotional events, supporting the SOSU Native American Institute, office duties and Native American Graduation. Our program benefited greatly from Juan’s work.
Ryan Toon
Ryan Toon was selected as the College FYI Student Worker at Carl Albert State College due to his hard work and dedication to the CFYI program. During his time as a Student Worker, Ryan helped with various aspects of the College FYI program, including Camp Chahta, CFYI workshops, promotional events and various office duties. He was a big help and we’re so happy to have had him!
20 CHIEF’S LEADERSHIP CLASS
L to R: Chief Batton, Benny Jones, Darrell “Shane” Timmons, MaKenzie Green, Ayme Warren, Dallas Terry and Jake Sommers.
Chief’s Leadership The Chief’s Leadership Class is a one year only program designed to advance leadership skills, cultural knowledge, academic prowess and personal development. College FYI works diligently with community leaders, college/university administrators, and tribal leaders to provide a valuable experience for our outstanding Choctaw college students.
21 COVID-19 College FYI students persist through adversity
22 COVID-19 College FYI students persist through adversity
23 COLLEGE FRESHMAN YEAR INITIATIVE
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN COLLEGE?
CONTACT A FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE COORDINATOR AT ONE OF THESE COLLEGES
TM 918-647-1423 918-465-1705 580-745-3314
Must be a Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma tribal member
800-522-6170 EXT 2292 | [email protected] PO BOX 1210 | DURANT, OK 74702-1210