Darren Ranco and colleagues build on program for Native students and expand it to UMM
Darren Ranco, chair of Native American Programs, associate professor of anthropology and Mitchell Center faculty fellow, was interviewed recently by UMaine News about new funding for the Wabanaki Youth in Science program that will create a new phase for the program and expand it to the University of Maine at Machias (UMM).
The WaYS program facilitates Wabanaki student engagement in STEM fields, especially environmental science, through culture and heritage and helps students succeed in K-12 and college studies. The program recently received a USDA grant of $283,164 to add the New Beginning for Tribal Students (NBTS), which will create a mentorship program called WaYS Ambassadors and bring the program to UMM. Within NBTS, advanced Native American graduate and undergraduate students will guide peers at the Machias and Orono campuses through research projects and professional development activities.