WYOMING – Central Wyoming College (CWC) last week announced an innovative imitative that will make post-secondary education available to the Northern Arapaho tribe by jointly offering college courses on the Wind River Indian Reservation.

After a year in the planning, CWC and the Northern Arapaho Business Council were able to sign an agreement on Friday, May 24 that will launch the “CWC Wind River” program. The Northern Arapaho tribe will provide support staff and CWC will provide faculty who will teach courses, with everything taking place at the Wind River Tribal College.

“We are always looking for better ways to serve students. It’s exciting to build upon the existing strengths of the tribe and CWC to improve the education available to the Wind River Indian Reservation residents,” said Louisa Hunkerstorm, CWC director of institutional effectiveness.

Anyone is welcome to enroll in CWC Wind River courses. CWC Wind River staff will assist students academically and non-academically and will connect students with CWC and tribal resources.

“This will allow students to earn more college credits without leaving the reservation,” Hunkerstorm added. “And it will offer students additional support beyond what CWC can provide.”

Students taking CWC Wind River courses will have access to all CWC resources which includes advising, financial aid, tutoring, college events and more.

At present, full degree programs will not be offered through CWC Wind River, only specific courses. However, that is a future aspiration for both CWC and the Northern Arapaho tribe. The initial course offerings will be popular courses that can be used towards earning certificates or degrees at CWC or can be transferred to other institutions.

Key stakeholders in the process have been Marlin Spoonhunter, president of the WRTC; the Northern Arapaho Business Council; Dr. Brad Tyndall, president of CWC; Hunkerstorm; Dr. Kathy Wells, vice president for academic affairs, Mark Nordeen, dean of arts and sciences; Cory Daly, vice president for student affairs; and Ivan Posey, tribal education coordinator.

Initially, courses will be offered at the Wind River Tribal College in Ethete. CWC hopes to expand services to other locations on the Wind River Indian Reservation.

CWC courses at WRTC will start this summer with courses in tribal resource management and economic development. Courses offered this fall will be English, Arapaho language, math, public speaking, intercultural communication, American Indians in contemporary society, Indians of the Wind River and Federal Indian law.