College reaches out to Native American community

Moorpark College is ranked fourth in the nation for post-graduate earnings, boasts an ITT program comparable to that offered by ITT Tech, operates America’s Teaching Zoo (formerly EATM) and has strong business and athletic programs. There is even an on-campus child care program for students and faculty. The campus is perched, picturesque, on a high knoll, surrounded by rolling hills

But it’s missing something. Only one per cent of the student population identifies as belonging to the Native American community. And with southern California boasting the second largest - some say the largest - urban population of Native Americans, the community college would like to change that attendance demographic.

Moorpark College would like to be a destination community college for indigenous students.

To find meaningful ways to make the college attractive to the native community, the college is teaming up with the non profit association Redbird and asking the Native American community itself for input.

What courses of study do indigenous students seek? What are their career goals? What paths of service do they envision themselves in? How can their college experience help them help their tribe, their community, the planet?

Comments from the indigenous community are being sought through October 1, 2016. Comments do not need to be presented in a letter format; they may be emailed directly to the non profit group Redbird, which will then compile all feedback into a document and present this to the college in early October.

Comments should be emailed to redbirds_vision@hotmail.com with the words “Moorpark College” in the title. Comments can also be sent via mail to Redbird, P.O. Box 702, Simi Valley, CA 93062.

Vice President of Business Silvia Barrajas and President Luis P. Sanchez of Moorpark College spear-headed this data-gathering initiative with Redbird in June 2016, recognizing that the community itself could best address their own needs.

All members of the indigenous community are welcome to offer their input. Places like southern California are home to a rich mixture of cultures, including people whose heritage spans multiple continents. It is the hope of both Redbird and Moorpark College that people will take this opportunity to help the college understand the unique needs, goals and aspirations of the indigenous community.

To learn more about Moorpark College in Ventura County, southern California:

http://www.moorparkcollege.edu

Redbird hosts the annual Children of Many Colors Native American Powwow on the campus of Moorpark College the third weekend of July - dates for the 2017 powwow are July 14-16. More information about the powwow can be found here:

http://www.redbirdsvision.org