APHIS Student Outreach Program

For more information about
APHIS, contact
Terry W. Clark, DVM
National Tribal Liaison
USDA-APHIS-CREC
920 Main Campus Drive, Suite 200
Raleigh, NC 27606
Phone: (301) 440-4388
[email protected]

For more information about
Dinè College, contact
Benita Litson, Director
Dinè College Land Grant Office
P.O. Box 7B
Tsaile, AZ 86556
Phone: (928) 724-6940
[email protected]

Carl Etsitty
National Program Manager-Tribal Liaison
USDA-APHIS
2150 Centre Avenue, Building B, 3E46
Fort Collins, CO 80526
Phone: (970) 494-7573
[email protected]

Dinè College
Diné College is a federally recognized, tribally
controlled college, a designated 1994 LandGrant Institution, and a member in good
standing with the American Indian Higher
Education Consortium (AIHEC). Chartered in
1968, Diné College has attained remarkable
achievements in its relatively short existence.
Beginning in 1976, the college was recognized
by the Higher Learning Commission as a
candidate for accreditation. In 1968, Diné
College became the first Tribal College, and
was later joined by other tribal colleges under
the statutory requirements of the Tribally
Controlled Community College Assistance Act
of 1978. In June 2002, the U.S. Department of
Education’s Office of Civil Rights officially
recognized Diné College, and other Tribally
Controlled Colleges as a Minority Serving
Institution.

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

USDA/APHIS-Dinè College

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
prohibits discrimination in all its programs and
activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, age, disability, and where applicable,
sex, marital status, familial status, parental
status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic
information, political beliefs, reprisal, or
because all or part of an individual’s income is
derived from any public assistance program.
(Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Persons with disabilities who require alternative
means for communication of program
information (Braille, large print, audiotape,
etc.)should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at
(202) 720-2600 (voice and TTD). To file a
complaint of discrimination, write to USDA,
Director,
Office
of
Civil
Rights,
1400
Independence Avenue S.W., Washington, D.C.
20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or
(202) 720-6382 (TDD).
USDA is an equal
opportunity provider and employer.

Safeguarding Natural
Heritage Program:
Strengthening Navajo
Youth Connections
to the Land

Dinè College
Tsaile, Arizona

What is the Safeguarding Natural
Heritage Program?
The
“Safeguarding
Natural
Heritage
Program:
Strengthening Navajo Youth
Connections to the Land” is an educational
outreach program designed to enhance
youths’ exposure to agriculture, natural
resources, and wildlife biology, through
activities within the environs of the
communities of the Navajo Nation. The
program will expose students to sustainable
agriculture and farming, with a view to
preserve their natural heritage, as well as
increase students’ awareness of invasive
species issues.
Additionally, students will
learn about potential job opportunities for
college graduates, not only within their own
tribal community, but potentially within
APHIS.

How Much Will it Cost?
Students selected for the program will
pay only the cost of transportation to
travel to the Diné College campus on
June 17, and to return to their home on
June 29. The cost of tuition, dormitory
housing, meals, and lab fees, will be
covered by APHIS.

How Do I Apply?
Students between the ages of 14 and 17
are
eligible
to
apply
to
the
program.

Here’s what to include
application package:

The 12-day program is open to students 14 to ♦
17 years of age who wish to learn more
about safeguarding their natural heritage,
both within and outside of the Navajo
Nation. Students chosen to participate will
gain experience through hands-on labs, ♦
workshops, discussions, field trips, and teambuilding activities.

Who is Sponsoring the Safeguarding
Natural Heritage Program?
USDA-APHIS is joining forces with Diné
College to sponsor the “Safeguarding ♦
Natural Heritage Program:
Strengthening
Navajo Youth Connections to the Land”.

in

your

A
completed
and
signed
application, parental release form,
and
health
history/emergency
information form.
A short essay entitled, “How my
interest
in
agriculture,
natural
resources, and the environment can
help me, my community, and the
country.”
In the essay, include
information about your interests,
hobbies, and hopes for the future.
Two letters of recommendation from
people not related to you, who know
you well. At least one letter must
come from a teacher or school
counselor.

Mail your completed application
package to:
Ms. Benita Litson
Dinè College Land Grant Office
P.O. Box 7B
Tsaile, AZ 86556
Students selected to attend the
Safeguarding Natural Heritage
Program will be notified by X 2013.