About the 1994 Tribal Scholars Program
The Office of USDA/1994 Programs was established to develop policy guidelines and procedures; coordinate and oversee further participation in the Department’s programs and activities; and monitor, evaluate, and report on agency compliance with policy and Executive Orders to increase participation of 1994 Land-Grant Institutions (Tribal Colleges and Universities).

USDA coordinates its partnership with the 1994 Land-Grant Institutions through the USDA Office of Advocacy and Outreach (OAO). OAO supports the USDA/American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) Leadership Group, a national advisory body comprised of USDA Mission Area representatives and 1994 Land-Grant Institution presidents that provides the strategic direction for the USDA and 1994s partnership. As such, the USDA/1994 Programs is a mutual effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). Together, we work to accomplish the USDA/1994 Programs’ Mission.

Mission
Enhancing the capability of American Indian/Alaska Natives to attain educational excellence and to contribute positively to the fulfillment of the USDA’s mission.

There are four programs within the Office of the USDA/1994 Programs.

• USDA and American Indian Higher Education Consortium Leadership Group
• 1994 Tribal Land-Grant Liaison Program
• Tribal Scholars Program
• Terra Preta Fellows Program

USDA and American Indian Higher Education Consortium Leadership Group
The USDA/AIHEC Leadership Group is comprised of nine USDA Mission Area decision-makers and nine Tribal College and University president members of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium. This leadership group meets face-to-face two times yearly to ensure that USDA programs and services are accessible to the 1994 Land-Grant Institutions. Further, this group meets to ensure that USDA Mission Area representatives understand the uniqueness of and issues affecting the Nation’s thirty-two Land-Grant Institutions, most of which are tribally-controlled. The USDA/AIHEC Leadership Group meets face-to-face twice yearly.

1994 Tribal Land-Grant Liaison Program
This program has a staff of two that serve the thirty-two currently operating 1994 Land-Grant Institutions. One is at Little Big Horn College, Montana and one at Sitting Bull College, North Dakota.

The 1994 Land-Grant Liaisons establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency program staff, Headquarters staff, state and local officials, and/or private industry individuals. In addition, the 1994 Land-Grant Liaisons:

• Follow guidelines and procedures to develop communications plans in support of an organizational program, and review them for impact and effectiveness;
• Plan, schedule and conduct evaluations of project operations, procedures, and organizational structures;
• Identify problems or deficiencies and recommend ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of operations in the 1994 program or support setting, and
• Provide recommendations to senior management for improvements.

USDA/1994 Tribal Scholars Program
This partnership effort is a joint human capital initiative between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Nation’s thirty-four 1994 Land-Grant Institutions. The purpose of the USDA/1994 Tribal Scholars Program is to strengthen the long-term partnership between USDA and the 1994 Land-Grant tribal colleges and universities to increase the number of students studying and graduating in the food, agriculture, and natural resources and other related fields of study; and offer career opportunities to increase the pool of scientists and professionals to annually fill 50,000 jobs in the food, agricultural, and natural resources system.

This employment program offers a combination of work experience and academic study leading to career positions within USDA through a Student Career Experience Program designed to integrate classroom study with paid work experience. The program is conducted in accordance with a planned schedule and a working agreement between USDA agencies, student, and the Land Grant Institution.

Terra Pretar Do Indio Fellows Program
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Terra Preta do Indio Fellows Program offers faculty and staff from 1994 Tribal Land-Grants the opportunity to work collaboratively with USDA to gain insight and understanding of the federal government. This uniquely tailored experience brings together 1994 Tribal Land-Grant faculty and federal executives to address the spectrum of challenges faced in the development of a well prepared American Indian and Alaska Native workforce. Fellows spend two to four weeks in Washington, D.C. to increase their understanding of USDA and other federal agencies, particularly at the national level, and be able to identify mutual collaborative interests.

View the Tribal Scholars section of the USDA website.