Walking Shield and the Journey to College
According to the U.S. Department of Education in 2002, the college graduation rate for American Indians is 38.3%. This rate is 17% less than the national average and is significantly lower than the rate of other minority groups in the U.S. including Blacks, Hispanics and Asians. Through the generosity of Southern California Edison, Walking Shield is poised to address these barriers. Walking Shield has partnered with local educational leaders that work with Indian youth to make the dream of a college education a reality. In collaboration with the Centers for Educational Partnerships at both California State University Fullerton, and the University of California, Irvine, Walking Shield is developing innovative ways to attract American Indian students to the college experience.
Walking Shield supports students and families with the identification of financial aid opportunities and assists with the application process. Walking Shield helps potential college students with essay writing, preparing resumes, requesting letters of recommendation and other college preparation needs.
Walking Shield also assists students with the application process for the Gates Millennium Scholarship, or GMS. Recipients of the GMS obtain significant financial support for their college education. The scholarship is also designed to develop leadership skills so that recipients can utilize their education to improve their respective communities. Walking Shield works with specific tribes in the identification of students that may be eligible for the GMS.
If you are interested in Walking Shield’s Education Program, please contact us.
American Indian Access Scholarship Program
Through a generous grant from the College Access Foundation, Walking Shield has established the American Indian Access Scholarship Program (AIASP) to carry out its vision of making higher education possible for qualifying American Indian and Alaska Native students.
Selected Access Scholars will not only be given scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,500 per student, they will also have the opportunity to take part in a support program designed to ensure ultimate future success, ideally in service to the students’ own tribal community. Walking Shield’s staff will follow each student’s progress and provide additional resources and support throughout their educational journey.
For further information please contact us.
Harvard e-learning Program
In partnership with the US Department of Agriculture, Walking Shield also offers on-line, capacity-building, management training for professional development. Participants of the on-line professional development effort are able to enroll in programs that sharpen skills in:
- Project Management
- Communication
- Financial Accounting and Budgeting
- Leadership Training
- Time Management
- Decision Making
- Strategy Execution
Walking Shield provides full scholarships to these programs offered through the Harvard Business School Publishing “e-Learning.” Participants are able to access the program for up to one year. While enrolled, users read best practice articles written by professors of Harvard’s Business School. Each program also includes an interactive case study in which users assess their skills in a hypothetical scenario. After completing this interactive case and accessing the resources, users then have the opportunity to take a quiz to test what they have learned.
To participate in this on-line program please contact us.
Educational Supplies
Walking Shield believes that education is a pathway out of poverty. For over
twenty years, thousands of educational items have reached the hands of American Indian children whose economic situation welcomes assistance. Walking Shield has provided computers, books, backpacks, and school supplies to Indian Education programs across the United States. You can be a part of the effort to increase educational opportunities for American Indians. For more information on how to donate Click Here.
