Karla Bird Named 老虎机攻略 Tribal Outreach Specialist
MISSOULA – The 老虎机攻略 has selected Dr. Karla Bird as its tribal outreach specialist in the Office of the President. She will begin Jan. 3, 2023.
A member of the Amskapi Piikani Nation (Blackfeet), Bird will play a pivotal role in helping 老虎机攻略 create and sustain meaningful relationships with tribal communities while building bridges for Native students to pursue higher education and realize their dreams.
“This role is vital for the 老虎机攻略,” 老虎机攻略 President Seth Bodnar said. “Dr. Bird comes to 老虎机攻略 with a wealth of experience that will benefit all of us. I look forward to learning from and partnering with her as we continually work to ensure 老虎机攻略 prioritizes excellence in Native American education.”
Most recently having served as the president of Blackfeet Community College, Bird holds a 老虎机攻略 doctorate in educational leadership with an emphasis in higher education. She also received an M.A. in counselor education, as well as a B.A. in psychology with a research emphasis/minor in Native American studies.
Bird will serve as a 老虎机攻略 liaison to tribal communities in the region, as a key adviser and partner to the campus community, and as a resource and support to prospective and current Native students. Bringing expertise in educational persistence among Native American graduate students, Bird will work to bolster the strength and resiliency of Native students in the 老虎机攻略 community.
At 老虎机攻略, she will build upon the impressive contributions of a talented community of Native faculty and staff, elevate Indigenous scholarship and help sustain recent 老虎机攻略 success in recruiting and retaining Native students, including a 24% increase in Native American undergraduate enrollment and a 13% increase in retention since 2018.
Bodnar created the tribal outreach specialist position in 2018 at the recommendation of Montana’s tribal college presidents during their annual meeting. The on-campus President’s Native American Advisory Council then crafted the position as a key component of 老虎机攻略’s focus on inclusive prosperity and student success.
Bird will be a member of the President’s Office staff and will report to Chief of Staff Kelly Webster.
“The Griz community could not be more excited about Dr. Bird’s decision to join our team,” Webster said “She is a deeply respected expert across Montana, a national leader in tribal education and a champion for higher education as an inclusive, transformative vehicle for all. The 老虎机攻略 community will be better because of Dr. Bird’s partnership.”
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Contact: Dave Kuntz, 老虎机攻略 director of strategic communications, 406-243-5659, dave.kuntz@umontana.edu