oglala

OGLALA LAKOTA COLLEGE
www.olc.edu

Background
Current Institutional Involvement and Commitment to Civic Learning
Proposed Activities to be Funded as Part of the Cluster
Expected Student Learning and Institutional Outcomes
Ability to Provide Leadership for Additional Civic Learning Clusters
Leadership Team Background Oglala Lakota College (OLC) is a baccalaureate and master's degree granting tribal college in South Dakota whose stated mission is "to provide the sovereign people of the Oglala Sioux Tribe with practical educational credentials." The College's Department of Education has received national recognition through the International Center for Character Education at the University of San Diego for its focus on character
education. The concept of character education which the Department of Education has incorporated throughout its curriculum is encompassed in the Lakota term "Wolakota". "Wolakota" refers to the "whole person in balance and in harmony, spiritually, physically, mentally, and socially." This concept also is central to the College's approach to civic learning. Current Institutional Involvement and Commitment to Civic Learning For Oglala Lakota College, civic learning is about respect for others and responsible action in light of that respect. It recognizes that community service is a necessary part of Lakota life. OLC recognizes that this calls for more than just acquisition of skills and knowledge. In addition to the Department of Education's emphasis on character education, examples of OLC's commitment to civic learning include the following:

§ OLC's weekly radio program shares current college activities and initiatives with the entire Oglala nation. KILI radio is well known nationally for promoting and practicing democratic ideals, as exemplified in its open forum to which students, faculty and staff are free to contribute ideas, concerns and a variety of topics that relate to education at OLC.

§ The College's decentralized structure is comprised of 10 College Centers located over a 150 mile "campus". Each Center serves as a political forum and meeting center for the community, as well as providing college classes.

§ OLC's governance structure is patterned after traditional treaty governments which emphasize full participation of all constituents, including students who participate as equal partners.
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Proposed Activities to be Funded as Part of the Cluster The overall goal of OLC's proposed institutional transformation is to implement throughout the College the vision of "Wolakota Across the Curriculum" currently embodied in the programs of the Department of Education. As a first step, the College will clarify and promote the civic learning goals of its mission statement through committees comprised of representatives of the faculty, students, and the community. Following this clarification, each department will work on ways to incorporate "civic learning across the curriculum" into its course offerings. Institutional assessment will continue to evaluate "Wolakota," the Lakota term for "civic responsibility." The Leadership Team will work closely with the Lakota Studies Department to implement increased attention to this goal. Multiple door policies will be established to provide equitable opportunities for all students. Respect for learning in contrast to "transition models" of education will be encouraged through trainings. The College will also offer training in consensus building and mediation for faculty and staff. Enhanced service learning training will be offered to all departments.
[top] Expected Student Learning and Institutional Outcomes The College expects that as a result of its institutional transformation to incorporate Wolakota across the curriculum and as an organizing mission, all members of the OLC community will be able to report an enhanced sense of collegiality and mutual respect; an improved relationship with communities outside the college; less stressful relationships between administration and subordinates; increased participation in tribal and national governmental activities; and a heightened awareness of how critical thinking, generosity, integrity, responsibility and respect can be woven into curriculum. The incorporation of Wolakota and character education throughout the curriculum will be evaluated as on ongoing aspect of institutional assessment. Evaluation of success, including pre and post-test evaluations are already being prepared by OLC's Research Director, Dr. Edwin Dawson, and research is continuing with regard to ways of authentically assessing civic learning and character education. Ability to Provide Leadership for Additional Civic Learning Clusters As one of only three accredited tribal universities in the country, and in consideration of the global interest in traditional American Indian wisdom as it relates to civic responsibilities, OLC indicates that it is in a unique role to demonstrate success and to serve as a model for other institutions. Through designation as an empowerment zone by the U.S. Government and because of the Oglala grassroots efforts toward establishing democracy in government, the College further expects to serve as a national example to other institutions. The team leader, Education Department Chair, Don Jabobs, and other Civic Learning Team Leaders who include Center Directors and other department chairs, will use their current involvement with a range of community initiatives to provide students' with opportunities for civic learning projects. The Education Department's recognition as current leaders in the character education movement will serve as a base for involving other institutions nationally in College's proposed incorporation of character education across the curriculum.
[top] Leadership Team Project Director:
Dr. Don Trent Jacobs, Chair, Department of Education Edwin Dawson, Director of Research
Milton Fineran, Director of Student Affairs
Devona Lone Wolf, Vice President for Instruction
Leslie Rae Henry, Department Chair
Ida M. Red Bear, Department Chair
Martin Red Bear, Department Chair
John Haas, Principle Investigator for Models of Institutional Excellence
Phinet Red Owl, Center Director
Donna Red Ear Horse, Center Director
Georgia A. Rooks, Center Director
Karen White Butterfly, Center Director
Juanita Scherich, Center Director
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