2008 Woodie Awards
Program creates community space
Ashley Mackin
Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: Campus
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"My grades got better," she said, "and it was like having a family unit with people to talk to and get from, like with the [Graduation Writing Proficiency Exam], they helped prepare me for that."
Phil Zastrow, the director of the program, had wonderful things to say about the program, and what it does for students.
While talking to The Lumberjack, he joked with one student, and offered advice about health insurance to another.
"This is what I do," he said. Moreover, he explained that ITEPP is a place for American Indian students to get academic advising, coordinating services and mentoring.
Campbell, an anthropology graduate, said she liked having people that she could talk to there.
"It's really low-key, she said, "and there's great family contact and comforting."
Echoing these feelings is Native American Studies senior Jennifer Burgess, the president of the ITEPP Club and a ITEPP Student Assistant.
For her, the program is not only a support system, but also a community at Humboldt State.
"If ITEPP wasn't here, I probably wouldn't be here," Burgess said, "if I didn't have this support system, I'd probably move back to Sacramento with my mom."
Having grown up in Pasadena, Burgess said she feels that creating community is a big part of the program.
"I didn't know anyone when I first got here, so it was kind of a leap," she said, "but Judy [Pullen-Risling, Administrative Assistant] helped a lot, and now she's Auntie Judy, and there's Uncle Phil [Zastrow]."
Burgess knows many people on campus and in the community now, and she considers the program to be a home away from home.
ITEPP recently moved and has a new home in the Brero House near the Student Health Center.
Zastrow said that students are happy about the move from House 85 on Harpst Street to House 93.
"We were offered a room in Behavioral and Social Sciences and didn't want it," he said, "we wanted to keep that home away from home atmosphere."
However, the move is not the only change the program faced recently. At the end of last year, their full time staff was reduced from four people to two-and-a-half.
Originally, there was a director, Student Services Coordinator, Curriculum Resource Center coordinator and an administrative assistant.
Now, the director and Student Services Coordinator positions are filled by Zastrow. The Curriculum Resource Center coordinator takes on some of the responsibilities of the Student Services Coordinator, and the administrative assistant leaves at noon.
Zastrow said he is transitioning positively, and is hoping that the changes will work.
"We need a full-time staff due to the nature of our client base (the students)," he said.
Humboldt State has the highest percentage (2.5 percent) of American Indian students enrolled, compared to the other 22 Cal State universities.
However, the program opens its doors to all students, Zastrow said.
"We invite everybody to come down and have some food," he said. "But after 5, it's just students."
All students are welcome to some events the program holds. They have barbecues and collaborate often with the Multicultural Center and the Indian Natural Resource, Science and Engineering Program.
ITEPP will have an open house on September 7th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
One event ITEPP participated in was an Elder's Dinner Gather, where American Indian students served elders of the community at the Redwood Acres Fairgrounds.
Burgess served at the event.
"It was pretty cool," she said, "It gave me a community experience outside of the campus, and offered me connections with people."
Ashley Mackin can be reached at amackin8@gmail.com
LINKS
Indian Teacher and Education Personnel Program
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