Salish Kootenai College (SKC), in Pablo, Mont., was founded in 1977, became self-governing in 1981, and was later designated as a land-grant college. SKC serves 68 percent of first generation college students.

With enrollment exceeding 700, and many students commuting to pursue full-time degrees, SKC knew they had to expand their infrastructure to offer better access.

"Our students hail from 20 U.S. states and Canadian provinces and represent 68 North American tribes," said Audrey Plouffe, the vice president of business affairs for Salish Kootenai College. "Their wellbeing is a priority and the improved parking and hike and bike trail will offer more options to ensure their security and safety."

SKC applied for two separate USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Tribal College Initiative grants to provide a lighted parking area for the Health Building and install a campus-wide lighted hike and bike path.

Plouffe acknowledged that a storm water plan will be incorporated into the parking lot project to treat the water, and LED lights will decrease light pollution, providing environmentally sensitive solutions to these campus-wide enhancements.

"Our healthcare program is expanding with dental, allied health, phlebotomy and nursing programs," noted Plouffe. "We are thrilled to offer even more quality post-secondary educational opportunities and support for Native Americans, and appreciate the partnership with USDA Rural Development Montana which provides monies needed to complete capital improvement projects that allow for our growth. We are proud to have safe and reasonable accommodations for our students, while, concurrently, maintaining our heritage, which is grounded in the cultures of the Séliš, Ksanka and QÍispé people of the Flathead Nation."

When complete, SKC will use native plants that are, in part, grown in their on-site community greenhouse, which was funded by a separate USDA RD Tribal College grant, to landscape the property.