Participating Institutions
Program Partners
Supporting Talent with Aligned Resources for STEM students (STARS) project brings together three educational institutions - Salish Kootenai College (SKC), University of Montana (UM), and Montana Technological University (Tech). These campuses have partnered to increase graduation rates and successfully transition low-income academically talented students into the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) workforce.
These institutions have a long track record of collaborations and recognize that each institution provides unique strengths that enhance the overall impact and efficacy of project initiatives.
STARS is a six-year project that adapts, implements, and studies an evidence-based model to systematically address institutional changes and directly supports talented and low-income students in STEM, incorporating multidirectional learning among the consortium institutions. Multidirectional learning acknowledges the wealth of knowledge and experience of our varied institutions, including knowledge rooted in tradition among the Native American (NA) communities served by our Consortium. It is designed to take advantage of each institution's expertise and experience so that each institution can learn and adapt based on the collective institutions’ experiences. The overall aim is to increase the retention and success of our STEM student cohorts, which will likely reflect high rates of NA and rural students, each of whom experiences a unique set of barriers to success when compared to the wider population of students.
Salish Kootenai College
Salish Kootenai College is a tribal community college in Pablo, Montana. It serves the Bitterroot Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d'Oreilles tribes. Located in the heart of the Flathead Indian Reservation in the scenic Mission Valley of northwestern Montana. SKC is a leader in STEM education amongst Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) with 21% of their degree offerings in STEM. SKC is currently the only TCU to offer Bachelor’s Degrees in Hydrology, Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, and Life Sciences with additional STEM offerings in Information Technology, General Science, Mathematical Science, and Engineering. Complementary Education tracks also exist at SKC in Secondary Education Mathematics and Secondary Education Science
University of Montana
Nestled in the heart of western Montana’s stunning natural landscape, the University of Montana is a place where top-tier students, educators and researchers from across the country and around the globe come and thrive. UM is located in Missoula, Montana’s second-largest city with a population of 80,000 residents. The University draws a diverse population to Missoula and helps cultivate an educated, engaged and vibrant community.
Montana Technological University
In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Montana Technological University is a place of purpose, home to uncommon thinking, research, innovation, and ideas. With Montana as our living laboratory, we offer a top education as a leading STEM university, with strong additional programs in nursing, health, and professional fields. What we do matters, today more than ever.
Blackfeet Community College
Situated in Browning, MT Blackfeet Community College provides the Blackfeet Nation and our “universal community” access to quality educational programs that prepare students for achievement in higher education, meaningful employment, basic skills instruction, and community education while integrating the Blackfeet culture and language.