## American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities Program

## FY 2013 Project Abstracts for New Grantees, Parts A and F

**Part A**

**P031T130335 - College of the Muscogee Nation – Oklahoma**

**Student Success Center (Activities) Abstract**

****The College of the Muscogee Nation (CMN) intends to create a Student Success Center (SSC) to provide Native American students with the services critical for student success.  The SSC will provide the following services:  Academic Advisement, Counseling Opportunities, Testing Services, Retention Support and Tutoring Services.  Each of the services offered is designed to focus on a specific needs area of underserved students and address those needs in a manner that will support and teach students.  Advisement and retention are specifically aimed at the incoming freshman population and to address the issues that typically arise early in a student’s college career.  By identifying students and giving them the necessary information to make effective decisions, SSC staff will be helping students become informed and accountable on the path to their degree.

CMN faculty and staff are dedicated to helping students gain the knowledge and behaviors required for success.  This new project, under the supervision of the Dean of Student Affairs, will be developed to implement and monitor the objectives of the center.  Three full-time employees will be focusing specifically on the program components to ensure the success of the center, which is ultimately the success of our students.  Funding from this grant will be used solely on the daily activities and programs of the SSC.

Evaluation of programs is an integral function of the center, as we recognize the importance of student feedback.  By surveying students using services within the center, CMN will gather relevant data to refine the processes and services available to students.  As the characteristics of the student population evolve, the SSC at CMN will become imbedded in the organization’s structure with the intent of better serving the students.

**Part F**

**P031T130435 - College of the Muscogee Nation – Oklahoma**

**Student Success Center (Construction) Abstract**

The College of the Muscogee Nation (CMN) is seeking funding for the renovation of the CMN Library in order to develop a Student Success Center (SSC).  The SSC program plan is designed with Native American students in mind to provide services critical to student success.  In order to fulfill this mission, the college seeks to redefine space currently being used in another capacity.

The construction portion of this grant will allow us an opportunity to repurpose the space being vacated.  The layout for the SSC provides for two new computer labs, storage space, and nine offices for CMN faculty and staff.   Also available will be conference rooms for the counseling and testing components of the program.  Although the majority of the space will be utilized for functions of the SSC, we have allowed for two faculty offices in the construction to accommodate the growing population of CMN.

 An architect will provide drawings for a CMN design team to approve; following approval, contractor bids will be taken and selected prior to work beginning on the SSC.  As the project is completed, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation inspectors and professionals will oversee work for integrity and safety prior to occupying the space.  Financing of the remodeled project is anticipated to be fully covered by grant funding and this will include all costs associated with furnishing the place in preparation for its opening.

The development of this dedicated space will provide for a comfortable, supportive area to study, be advised, and receive tutoring services for students seeking assistance.  The collaborative effort going into the remodel is indicative of the emphasis on student success through faculty/staff support and the dedication to this project by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the College of the Muscogee Nation.

9/27/2013