$100,000 Beyond Idea Grant awarded to Southeast Technical College Foundation

PIERRE, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - This week, the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) awarded a $100,000 Beyond Idea Grant (BIG) to the Southeast Technical College Foundation to support developing and evaluating a pathway initiative for Native American students to pursue technical careers.

“Data tells us that students with limited access to college prep opportunities are less likely to enroll and graduate from any college,” said Marcella Prokop, Director of Access and Workforce Opportunity at Southeast Tech. “And for Indigenous students in South Dakota, culturally relevant career training that supports personal and community growth has the power to change that data and change lives. Through funding from the Beyond Idea Grant, STC will partner with Native American families and students to learn how we can increase access and opportunity for Indigenous students to enroll in technical education and find meaningful careers.”

The project entails STC meeting with Native American 8th graders and high schoolers and their families to provide a supporting environment for them to attend and graduate with the tools to succeed in a technical career.

To learn more about funding opportunities offered by the SDCF, head to SDCommunityFoundation.org.