Capella Advances Innovations in Higher Education—
Awards Full PhD Scholarship to
Tribal Community College President
Capella University and the League
for Innovation in the Community College are pleased to announce
that William Harjo LoneFight, president of Sisseton Wahpeton College, in Agency Village, SD, is the winner
of the second annual Capella University--League for Innovation
Scholarship. LoneFight’s application
stood out in a field of more than 70 competitive applications
that presented innovations in higher education ranging from technology
and educational delivery to administration.
The scholarship
is awarded to a faculty or staff member at a League for Innovation
Alliance member institution who has demonstrated innovative accomplishments
in the field of higher education. The scholarship recipient
will receive a $47,000 scholarship to cover tuition for three
years and the cost of residential colloquia in one of Capella’s 26
accredited PhD programs.
Dr. LoneFight earned
his first PhD in Cultural Resource Management from the Kialagee Tribal
Program. In August, he will pursue a doctorate in Leadership
for Higher Education in Capella’s School of Education.
Dr. LoneFight has
been a successful innovator and visionary. His creativity and
commitment to bettering the educational experience of an underserved
population serves him well as president of Sisseton Wahpeton College, one of the nation’s 34 tribal colleges. Raised in a Muscogee
(Creek) Indian community, Dr. LoneFight understands
the difficulties of integrating Western and traditional tribal
learning.
He
has devoted his career to pursuing new methods to meld tribal
educational practices with Western educational systems to enrich
the learning experience of American Indians. Among his many innovative
accomplishments, Dr. LoneFight authored a teaching tool, Achieving the
Healing Community: A Guide to Traditional Knowledge of Substance
Abuse Prevention (1999), to help social workers develop new,
culturally empowering approaches to substance abuse prevention. He
also developed a theory of culturally effective systemic reform
in the disciplines of math, science and technology to capitalize
on students’ cultural backgrounds and enhance their learning
process.
"I
am very pleased that Capella University and the
League for Innovation recognize the value of the relatively low-profile,
yet increasing number of institutions
of American Indian higher education,” Dr. LoneFight expressed. “Capella’s online
program offers an attractive solution so that I can increase
my capacity to serve the tribal community while continuing my
leadership role at the college.”
"Dr. LoneFight exemplifies the
role of an innovative scholar-practitioner through his leadership
in American Indian education and his contribution to professional
practice in substance abuse, math, science and technology education,” said
Mike Offerman, president of Capella University. “A primary
goal of the scholarship is to reward qualified candidates and
provide an opportunity to pursue a terminal degree while continuing
to serve in their community college.”
The
scholarship is one of the benefits of an articulation agreement
between the two institutions under which League Alliance member colleges partner
with Capella University to offer a streamlined application process, seamless credit transfers
and tuition discounts for students, faculty and staff.
The
PhD scholarship rewards creativity in teaching at community colleges
across the country and throughout the world. “Capella
is opening doors for forward-thinking teachers who might otherwise
be unable to pursue a doctoral degree,” said Mark Milliron,
president and CEO of the League for Innovation. “This
scholarship reflects the best of 21st century education:
quality academics, innovative learning opportunities and improved
access to higher education.”
Capella University is an online university
accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools. Founded in 1993, Capella University offers degree
programs and certificates in business, technology, education,
human services and psychology. Capella uses the power of the
Internet to remove institutional and logistical barriers for
adult learners around the world and provides a rewarding and
efficient path to increased professional value. Central to Capella's approach is the high degree of online interaction
with expert faculty, achievement-oriented learners and a university
staff who are passionate about each individual's success. Capella University is affiliated
with the for-profit Capella Education Company, headquartered
in Minneapolis. For more information,
visit Capella University at www.capella.edu or call 1-888-CAPELLA.
The League for
Innovation in the Community College is the only major international
organization specifically committed to improving community colleges
through innovation, experimentation and institutional transformation.
The League hosts conferences and institutes, develops Web resources,
conducts research, produces publications, and leads projects
and initiatives with more than 750 member colleges, 100 corporate
partners, and a host of other government and nonprofit agencies
in a continuing effort to make a positive difference for students
and communities. Information about the League and its activities
is available at www.league.org.
