The Journey Begins Internet Radio, eFocus - An Exclusive Conversation with Carrie Billy, President of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium

Carrie Billy is an enrolled member of the Navajo nation and an attoney from Arizona, was appointed president of AIHEC in June of 2008. A graduate of Arizona and Georgetown Law Center, Billy has committed her life's work to public service and protecting and promoting the culture, welfare and being of the American Indian.

As President and Chief Executive Officer of AIHEC, which comprise of 36 tribal colleges and universities in the U.S. and one in Canada, Carrie guides the day-to-day operations of AIHEC central organization and Board of Directors to develop and implement AIHEC strategic position and overall organizational action plan.

Carrie served as the first Executive Director of the White House Initiative of Tribal Colleges and Universities, appointed to the position by former President William Clinton in 1998. In the position of Executive Director Billy coordinated a multi-faceted effort to intergrate tribal colleges into federal programs and strenghten partnerships with the private sector. During her tenure as Director, tribal colleges achieved tremendous gains. Highlights include: the largest funding increase ever received by Tribal Colleges in annual federal appropriations; first visit by a U.S. president to a Tribal College; established funding of new education and infrastructure programs in serval federal departments and agencies; and the Tribal College initiative.

What is Your Child's EDQ

By Michael Robinson and Michel Davis Robinson

The EDQ represents the amount of investment in the child’s educational portfolio (in class and out of class learning experiences) by parents, family and school staff. According to Joyce Pollard, Director for Institutional Communications for the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) "The most valuable way you can become involved in your child’s education is to provide a rich learning environment in your home to support your child’s academic achievement". The more engaged the child’s parents combined with a dedicated educator the child will have a steady increase in their EDQ. Epstein, et al. (2008) studies have shown parental involvement has an influence on the level of student achievement in the area of math. She goes on to suggest the greater the involvement of the parent in their child’s school life the greater the achievement, citing the works of Desimone (1999); Ma (1999); Valadez, (2002).
More to come, please stay tune.

College Students and Stress

by Shelly Davis

According to a student stress survey conducted by Ross, Niebling, Heckert in 1999 there are five factors which mitigate student stress: (1) changes in sleeping habits; (2) lack of vacation/break; (3) changes in eating habits; (4) increased work load; and (5) demanding responsibilities. The survey also indicated stress is particularly prevalent in freshmen during what is defined as the transitional nature of college life (Towbes and Cohen 1996).

During this period freshmen are most susceptible to stress caused by separation anxiety as they attempt to adjust to being away from home, while striving to maintain a high level of academic achievement. An analysis of the student stress survey conducted by Ross, et. al (1999) suggested adapting to an unfamiliar social environment leads to stress, in addition the survey revealed when stress is not addressed effectively, feelings of loneliness and nervousness, as well as sleeplessness and excessive worrying become prevalent.

The Counseling Services of the University of Buffalo (2009) listed some sign of stress

Feelings

• Feeling anxious
• Feeling scared
• Feeling irritable
• Feeling moody

Thoughts

• Low self-esteem
• Fear of failure
• Inability to concentrate
• Embarrassing easily
• Worrying about the future
• Preoccupation with thoughts/tasks
• Forgetfulness.
  

The Counseling Services of the University if Buffalo List the following ways to reduce stress
How to Reduce Stress. Many stresses can be changed, eliminated, or minimized. Here are some things you can do to reduce your level of stress:

• Become aware of your own reactions to stress
• Reinforce positive self-statements
• Focus on your good qualities and accomplishments
• Avoid unnecessary competition
• Develop assertive behaviors
• Recognize and accept your limits
• Remember that everyone is unique and different
• Get a hobby or two. Relax and have fun
• Exercise regularly
• Eat a balanced diet daily
• Talk with friends or someone you can trust about your worries/problems
• Learn to use your time wisely: Evaluate how you are budgeting your time
• Plan ahead and avoid procrastination
• Make a weekly schedule and try to follow it
• Set realistic goals/Set priorities
• When studying for an exam; study in short blocks and gradually lengthen the time you spend studying. Take frequent short breaks
• Practice relaxation techniques. For example, whenever you feel tense, slowly breathe in and out for several minutes.