Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 54.81
Liaison Jennifer McLaughlin
Submission Date May 26, 2023

STARS v2.2

South Dakota State University
IN-48: Innovation B

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.50 / 0.50 Jennifer McLaughlin
Sustainability Intern
Facilities and Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Wizipan Leadership & Sustainability Program

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:
Wizipan Leadership and Sustainability Program: A unique partnership between the Indian University of North America®, the Crazy Horse Memorial®

Unique semester-long, immersive academic experience is grounded in Lakota philosophy.
Based on the Lakota term - Wachante Hecha Wizipan (The Heart of Everything that Is).
Uses experiential education, Indigenous narrative, language, culture and kinship to land as its primary learning tools.
Combines coursework in American Indian Studies, Natural Resource Management, Global Food Systems and Leadership.
Courses will provide students with the skill sets needed to understand the potential of their leadership roles in their own communities.
Encourages students to evaluate and understand the relationship of care of self (trauma, mental, physical, spiritual health), care of community (kinship and family), care of the environment (land, food and sustenance), and care of culture (language, narrative, ceremony).
Students successfully completing the program will earn 15 undergraduate credits and a certificate in Leadership and Sustainability from SDSU.
Classes will be taught in an innovative, interdisciplinary, hands-on style emphasizing Indigenous experimental learning.
Includes field trips, mentorship, group discussions and collaborative inquiry projects.

Optional Fields

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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