Funded Projects
Turtle Mountain Community College Leadership Internship Program
April 6, 2023
Principal Investigator: Anna Ross, Turtle Mountain Community College
Proposal Abstract:
The Bachelor of Arts in Ogimaawiwin Leadership and Management program of study is designed to prepare leaders in the areas of businesses, organizations, and tribal governments. Once completed, students will have gained the necessary background to work successfully in various organizations. Students will also have an understanding of the principles of good and effective leadership practices and strategies. Holders of the degree are grounded in Ojibwe culture, history, values, and in leadership techniques and practices.
Ogimaawiwin Leadership & Management Program goals are to strengthen different areas of leadership whether that be economic, political, or educational. The initiative is centered around native nations to have the needed skills to strengthen and rebuild nations that will have the necessary leadership and management skills. Internships are very important to the program to provide hands‐on experience not available in the classroom. It is also very important for the learner to take advantage of the experience. The students’ knowledge and skills gained in the program will prepare them for their internship.
Leadership Internships consist of a minimum of 15 weeks (70 contact days) and a total of 405 hours for the student’s final senior semester will be spent in an internship in their area of expressed interest. Though some of our internships are paid, many of the students work in unpaid positions, leaving a tremendous financial burden on our students who are often single‐parents and need to pay for childcare while working the internship.
TMCC’s proposal is to use the funding from the grant through the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development to pay for six internships for our students. Currently the program has a cohort of nine students, and TMCC anticipates we will be able to find paid positions for the remaining three students. Payments to the students will be made at four different intervals following successful completion of performance milestones developed between the student, the College Supervisor, and the Mentoring Supervisor, at the beginning of the internship program.
Award: $40,000
Leadership Chautauqua: Utilizing Peer Learning Networks to Revolutionize Extension’s Approach to Community Leadership Development Systems
March 10, 2023
Principal Investigator: Lindsay Hastings, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension
Co-Principal Investigator: Mary Emery, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension
Proposal Abstract:
Today’s global challenges have complicated the world so much that community leaders can no longer rely on traditional leadership practices. Yet, transformative change demands new ways of thinking about and practicing leadership development that considers both global realities and local norms.
Through this project, we will engage leadership scholars and practitioners with peer networks of community leaders in a Chautauqua to develop a new approach to leadership development that goes beyond individual leader training to engage communities in creating a leadership ecosystem that builds more robust leadership capacity and culture.
Enhancing Land Grant institutions’ capacity for influencing the quality of life in rural areas lies in moving past the band aid approach of swooping in to do leader training at a single point in time. Rather, this approach will concentrate on creating community-based systems that support community members in developing their efficacy and capacity for leading community level change.
Award: $37,855
Updating Marketing Hometown America Curriculum and Expanding to Additional States
November 5, 2019
Principal Investigator: Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Co-Principal Investigator: Neil Linscheid, University of Minnesota; Peggy Schlechter, South Dakota State University; Jodi Burns, North Dakota State University; Abbie Gaffey, Iowa State University
Proposal Abstract:
This proposal seeks $13,500 to update the award-winning “Marketing Hometown America” curriculum which is a community engagement process using study circles and action planning to help communities market themselves to new residents and businesses. This project will create a suite of resources to help local Extension staff initiate the program, recruit participants, and successfully conduct the program in their communities. The funds will be used for travel expenses to bring two Extension staff people from each of the five participating states to South Dakota State University for a two-day, facilitated innovation process in April of 2020. The refreshed curriculum will better address issues such as diversity and inclusion and better guidance on how to implement community priorities and projects to achieve their economic development and leadership goals. The revised curriculum will also incorporate the field research gained from the first 52 communities to have completed this program with the scholarly research the program has thus far generated. This proposal also seeks the seed funding needed for an initial large print run of the new materials. The costs for the printing will be recovered through a nominal charge per booklet which will then pay for the on-going costs of reprinting materials. This keeps the cost of providing the program affordable for the small communities targeted by this program.
Award: $13,500.00
Expanding the Intelligent Community Extension Program
November 15, 2018
Principal Investigator: Roberto Gallardo, Purdue University
Co-Principal Investigator: Charlotte Narjes and Connie Hancock, University of Nebraska
Proposal Abstract:
With the socioeconomic landscape changing due to the disruptions brought forth by the digital age, rural communities need to transition to a digital mindset in order to adapt and prosper and avoid being on the wrong side of the digital divide. Extension can play a more active role in helping rural communities achieving this mindset transition and reducing the rural digital divide by facilitating and implementing the Intelligent Community Extension Program (ICEP). ICEP is a pilot program first developed in Mississippi but currently being piloted in Indiana and Nebraska rural communities. ICEP is community driven and utilizes the community development self-help approach and the Intelligent Community framework to help rural communities transition to, plan for, and prosper in the digital age. The ICEP is a process that consists of awareness, asset mapping, implementing & documenting, and recognition. Extension personnel and resources play a critical role in this process.
This project will help fine-tune the pilot ICEP by providing seed funding for communities to implement some Intelligent Community recommendations. Next, the ICEP will be fine-tuned by documenting and identifying funding patterns aside from interacting with four communities across two states. Once the pilot ICEP is fine-tuned, up to 10 Extension personnel will be trained throughout the NCRCRD region to expand this program. In the end, more communities that are rural will adapt and prosper in the digital age and Extension will demonstrate its relevance in addressing 21st century issues.
Award: $24,988
Tribal Nations Lead! Leadership Development in the Great Lakes Region (TNLL)
November 15, 2018
Principal Investigator: Emily Proctor, Michigan State University
Co-Principal Investigator: Brian Gauthier, Lac du Flambeau Tribal UWEX; Ellen J. Geisler, Annie Jones, and Cathy Techtmann (University of Wisconsin); Bethany Prykucki and Eric Walcott (Michigan State University); and John C. Young, Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Project Abstract:
The North Central Region is home to 56 federally recognized Tribes, 23 of those reside in Michigan and Wisconsin, each with a unique system of governance. Based on federal trust responsibilities the Cooperative Extension services in Michigan and Wisconsin have a responsibility to build relationships and partnerships with the tribal communities that we serve. Community development has been the responsibility of local governments, planners and politicians. But in many communities there is a deep desire for more grass roots involvement in the development of current and future leaders. It is essential for Tribes to develop successional leadership plans within their communities in order to address emerging cultural, economic, and social issues. While there are Cooperative Extension leadership development programs, there is a lack of training that integrates indigenous teachings with western leadership concepts to promote culturally relevant leadership in tribal communities. Likewise, there are important leadership lessons to be learned from Tribal cultures that can be shared to strengthen non-tribal leadership development programs across the region.
Award: $23,158
