Connors State College has been selected to receive funding under the Title III Native American Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI) Program. This grant will be in the amount of $1.75 million over five years.
Connors State was one of nine higher education institutions selected for this grant. The purpose of the NASNTI program is to provide grants and related assistance to Native American-serving non-tribal institutions to enable such institutions to improve and expand their capacity to serve Native Americans and low-income individuals.
We are honored to be a recipient of this grant, said Dr. Ron Ramming, Interim President of Connors State College. The NASNTI grant will allow Connors State College to equip a state-of-the-art patient simulation laboratory, implement technology into the curriculum, expand tutoring and advising services to Native American health care students, and expand cultural and medical instruction relevant to Native American health care.
Connors State College, an accredited community college serving more than 3,100 students annually, is located in the heart of eastern Oklahomas Native American region. More than one-third of CSC students are Native American. Connors States service region encompasses two Native American Nations, Cherokee and Creek, both of which have desperate shortages of qualified healthcare workers for the clinics and hospitals.
We know there is a severe shortage of Native American health professionals in our communities, said Dr. Ryan Blanton, Connors State Associate Vice President of External Affairs. We designed this grant to expand the capacity of our nursing program and to provide Native American students resources to be academically, culturally, and professionally successful.