News

Officials at NEO are excited to announce that the College has been awarded a $1.5 million federal grant from the United States Department of Education to fund science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) course conversions to online and hybrid formats. The grant is the fifth Title III grant since 2010, bringing the total to more than $10 million. NEO was selected for Title III grant funding under its designation as a Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institution (NASNTI). Of the five Title III grants NEO has received in the past decade, four have been received under NASNTI funding through partnership with the Inter-Tribal Council.

The grant will run for five years, with approximately $300,000 being distributed each year. “The main purpose of this grant is to convert math and science courses for online delivery,” said Rachel Lloyd, grant project director. “NEO is one of the top producers of Native American registered nurses in the country, so our initial focus will be on developing online and hybrid versions of all of our nursing program pre-requisite courses.” In addition to expanding digital offerings for STEM students, the grant will also support faculty professional development in the cultural alignment of their curriculum, modernization and renovation of the NEO Center for Academic Success and Advising, and elder/peer mentoring services.

“We are very grateful to be selected for funding under this grant and it is actually perfect timing,” said Dr. Kyle Stafford, NEO President. “In an era where we have to be more flexible in how we deliver courses to students, this grant will allow us to continue expanding our online offerings and improve the NEO experience for distance students.” For more information about NEO grant programs, contact Rachel Lloyd at rlloyd@neo.edu.