PABLO, MT – October 30, 2025 – Salish Kootenai College (SKC) is thrilled to announce its
leading role in a groundbreaking initiative to create robust STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math) pathways for tribal communities in Montana. SKC has been
awarded $7.2 million for its "Supporting Tribal Education Pathways" (STEP) project, a
critical component of the $42 million Headwaters Tech Hub (HTH) grant from the U.S. Economic
Development Administration (EDA).
This transformative funding aims to boost the region's workforce in high-demand tech sectors,
including photonics, remote sensing, autonomous vehicles, and circuit board
manufacturing. The STEP project, officially commencing in late fall 2024, is designed to
enhance job opportunities and cultivate a new generation of skilled workers, technicians, and
educators.
Empowering the Future STEM Workforce
The STEP initiative focuses on two core goals:
Create a Growth-Minded Learning Ecosystem: SKC will work to foster STEM
identity—how individuals perceive themselves as capable in STEM—by training
educators, integrating cultural elements into the curriculum, and establishing clear
educational and career paths from middle school onward.
Expand the Current and Future STEM Workforce: The project will develop innovative
STEM and Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways, sharing knowledge and
resources to prepare tribal communities for success in the tech industry.
SKC's strategy includes collaboration with all seven reservation school districts to implement
teacher trainings and distribute materials, ensuring a cohesive, culturally relevant approach
across the reservation.
Notable Achievements and Engagement
In its first planning year, the STEP project has already made significant progress, including:
209 students enrolled in HTH-aligned programs like Building Trades, Computer
Science, and Natural Resource Management.
$247,250 awarded in scholarships for students pursuing STEM and workforce
development goals.
Hosting numerous STEM Camps, Professional Development Trainings, and
Community Events that engage students and educators in hands-on, culturally
relevant learning experiences.
Salish Kootenai College, the only tribal college in Montana's tech hub corridor, is committed to
empowering Indigenous communities through education and workforce development.
Media representatives are invited to view promotional videos highlighting the SKC UAS
Drone and the SKC College Tour to better understand the college's efforts in these emerging
fields.