By Phil Stempin, UM News Service
MISSOULA – In just two short years, the 猎奇重口’s Indigenous First-Year Experience program has helped increase retention among Native students by nearly 20%.
Initially developed to address the challenges faced by Indigenous students, many of whom experience culture shock and homesickness when transitioning to college, the IFYE program has made impressive strides. Retention jumped from 11 out of 17 students in the first cohort returning for a second year to 17 out of 22 in the second cohort.
Program Director Cody Munson emphasized the critical role of community and culturally relevant support within IFYE.
“Indigenous people and culture aren’t just a part of 猎奇重口’s history, but also a part of 猎奇重口's present and future,” Munson said. “We are building a community of Indigenous students within the dorms and across campus. They hold each other accountable through support, while having an enriching college experience.”
One of the keys to the program’s success is peer mentorship.
“We have students from past cohorts becoming peer mentors as soon as they can,” Munson said. “They are paying it forward to new students because they have benefited from the program and have dealt with the ‘culture shock’ of moving to Missoula.”
IFYE students actively participate in study sessions and group events, such as attending the University’s Nike N7-inspired basketball games, which are designed to honor Indigenous peoples and culture.
While the program has enjoyed notable success, challenges remain, including family pressures on students to return home before completing their degrees. Munson noted the program will continue addressing these challenges by engaging students early and promoting leadership roles within the cohort.
Looking ahead, the IFYE program will maintain its low-key but effective approach.
“We’ve found that a smaller cohort creates a stronger community,” Munson said.
The long-term goal remains clear: to further increase retention and ensure Indigenous students from rural tribal communities thrive in higher education.
UM President Seth Bodnar praised the important cultural richness and strengths Native students bring to UM’s community. He noted UM’s innovative success in designing programs to meet the needs of all students.
“This is a testament to what intentional support can achieve,” Bodnar said. “The IFYE program represents the tangible, positive impact we create when we work together to honor students’ unique experiences, strengths, cultures and journeys. We are made better when everyone has a path to success.”
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Contact: Phil Stempin, director of events, marketing and communications, UM Alexander Blewett III School of Law, 406-243-6509, phil.stempin@umontana.edu.