Special Emphasis Program Manager –

Native American Program

TOM UNRUH Research Entomologist USDA-ARS-PWA Fruit & Vegetable Insect Research Unit  5230 Konnowac Pass Road Wapato, WA  98951   Phone:  (509) 454-6563 Fax:  (509) 454-5646 thomas.unruh@ars.usda.gov

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Greetings!  Welcome to the Native American Special Emphasis Program website.  As a Special Emphasis Program Manager, I work to identify and eliminate barriers present in the recruitment and retention of Native Americans and individuals from other traditionally underrepresented groups.  Please contact me if you have suggestions, questions, or would like help finding resources or opportunities for increasing diversity at your location. 

 

NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH – NOVEMBER

 

Our Wapato laboratory is located less than 10 miles from the eastern border of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Reservation.  As the SEPM for Native American Program I hope to interact broadly with the Nation to promote training for careers in agriculture and other science and technology fields for both  Native American and other underrepresented groups in the Yakima Valley. In addition to the Yakamas, the population of mid-Yakima Valley is predominantly Hispanic American. Our laboratory’s outreach programs usually emphasize the students of middle and high schools of the mid-Yakima Valley. In partnership with Heritage University whose signature mission is to provide higher education to the educationally isolated, our lab hires USDA funded interns, hosts NSF REU interns, and we hire summer  students.

 

Again, please send me your suggestions and advice, especially those relating your personal experiences in successful programs with American Indian institutions and peoples.    -Tom

 

LINKS

About the Yakama Nation

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakama

http://www.ohwy.com/wa/y/yakamana.htm

http://www.ynwildlife.org/usefullinks.php