
The U.S. Military Academy is one of the Top 200 Colleges for Native Americans in the nation for Native Americans pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics for 2016, according to the American Indian Science and Engineering's Winds of Change magazine. Only eight colleges and universities in New York achieved this distinction.
The list is a reflection of colleges and universities where American Indians are going to school in significant numbers and where the community, native programs and support systems are strong enough for them to enjoy the college experience and continue on to graduation. West Point hosts the Native American Heritage Forum as one of its many diversity clubs.
AISES has a principal focus of increasing representation of American Indian professionals in the STEM fields by helping students acquire and complete the education they need. AISES has awarded more than $10.3 million in academic scholarships to American Indian STEM students, and also assists students through internships, workforce development, career resources, regional conferences, science fairs, leadership development and other STEM-focused programming.
Winds of Change magazine is published by AISES, and focuses on career and educational advancement for Native people with an emphasis on STEM.
The Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering at the U.S. Military Academy actively supports the academy's Native American Heritage Forum through the academy's Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity. Lt. Col. Mark Smith, academy professor and environmental scientist, is the senior officer-in-charge of the forum. Smith, along with Lt. Col. Jared Ware, geospatial information scientist, has attended AISES events with cadets and supported recent outreach efforts. Lt. Col. Ben Wallen, environmental engineer, also in the Department of Geography and Environmental Engineering, joins the Native American Heritage Forum this year as an officer-in-charge.
Related Links:
American Indian Science and Engineering's Winds of Change magazine
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