ADA, Okla. – The NASNTI REACHE Program at East Central University leaves behind a lasting legacy of transformative support for the university, students, staff, faculty and community.

Historically recognized as a Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI), ECU was home to the NASNTI Program since the original $2M grant was first awarded in 2011. The program offered a range of student support services designed to increase retention, engagement and completion for Native American and Pell-eligible students. These services included research internships, faculty mentoring, field-related student employment, advising, tutoring, distance learning resources and other high-impact educational experiences to help reduce barriers to academic success.

NASNTI REACHE (Resources to Enhance Achievement and Completion in Higher Education), the most recent iteration of the grant, worked closely with departments and programs across campus to ensure students were connected to the resources needed to succeed. These partnerships included the Academic Success Center, Student Support Services, Student Employment, Upward Bound, Housing and Residential Life, Health Services, Student Counseling Services, the Career Center, Campus Involvement, Financial Aid, Recruitment and Admissions, Testing and Accessibility Services, Institutional Research, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, the Center for Undergraduate Research and Learning and the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research, among many others.

Through these collaborations, the program helped strengthen a coordinated support network focused on student persistence, academic achievement and preparation for post-graduation success. The program also worked with Native American Tribes and community partners to support outreach, engagement and cultural connection opportunities, including organizing the annual Tribal Summit on the ECU campus. Past Tribal Summits saw representatives from various tribal nations across the state of Oklahoma converge on campus to address wide-ranging topics such as health and wellness, educational sovereignty, regalia making, AI and more.

Students were also provided opportunities to participate in experiential learning activities beyond campus, including trips to tribal lands and reservations across the nation. NASNTI REACHE also coordinated an Indigenous Alternative Spring Break (IASB) experience to Hawaii in partnership with the Pacific Island Institute, offering students a unique opportunity to engage with Indigenous history and culture in a hands-on learning environment.

“I can’t overstate the significance of NASNTI to East Central University,” said Dr. Jeffrey Gibson, Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. “Not only has it provided direct support to our Native American and Pell-eligible students for over a decade, but it has also supported institutional initiatives in faculty development, campus technology, and academic infrastructure that will continue to have a positive impact on our entire student body well into the future.”

In addition to direct support for students, the NASNTI grants made significant investments in campus facilities, enhancing the overall capabilities and quality of services offered to all students.

Notably, ECU’s Linscheid Library credits the program with hundreds of thousands of dollars in support since 2017, helping fund multiple group and individual study rooms, a Digital Humanities Lab, an Active Learning Center, a recording studio, updated technology and equipment including VR headsets and new iMacs, expanded collections and learning resources, improved furnishings and numerous other enhancements for students and faculty.

“NASNTI has had a major impact on the resources and services that Linscheid Library has been able to provide to ECU students, faculty and staff, as well as community patrons,” said Dana Belcher, director of ECU’s Linscheid Library. “What started out as three group study rooms blossomed into individual study rooms, a digital humanities lab with 3-D printing, and a recording booth. Additionally, NASNTI has changed the aesthetics of the library by providing comfortable and inviting seating, classroom spaces and staff ergonomics. They have also provided books, ebooks, databases, and laptops for students who otherwise would have been shouldered with those costs. The program has been instrumental in enhancing the use of the library, contributing to a 31% increase from last year.”

Beyond the Linscheid Library, NASNTI also provided support to other areas of campus, including the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center and additional university facilities, further expanding access to modern, student-centered learning environment across ECU.

“NASNTI’s dedication to students’ needs and resources has affected every department on ECU’s campus. We are grateful for all the support that NASNTI has provided all these years,” Belcher added.

Through its extensive investments in campus infrastructure, student support services and cultural engagement opportunities, the NASNTI grants and each representative who worked with the program have contributed to a lasting impact at ECU. The program’s legacy continues to be reflected in enhanced learning spaces, expanded student opportunities and strengthened institutional partnerships that support student success across campus.

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