In the first half of the program, host Jim Falk speaks with Dr. Shelly Lowe (Navajo), the newly appointed president of IAIA. She reflects on the path that brought her to IAIA, including her work in Native American Studies at Harvard and Yale, and discusses the vital role Tribal Colleges and Universities play in preserving Native culture and traditions. Dr. Lowe also addresses the federal budget cutbacks announced in June (but ultimately not implemented), previews upcoming exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, and reminds listeners about the IAIA Holiday Art Market on December 13. Having served as chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities under President Biden, she discussed the NEH’s mission and the programmatic changes taking place now during the Trump administration.
In the second half of the show, co-host Peter Smith is joined by Dr. Becky Rowley, president of Santa Fe Community College, for a look at SFCC’s Higher Education Center and its new Mosaica initiative. Designed to meet immediate workforce needs, the program provides short, focused training—often in just six weeks—in fields such as broadband, energy auditing, and early childhood education. Dr. Rowley explains how streamlined accreditation allows these programs to launch quickly and help students gain the skills employers need now.
Host: Jim Falk
Co-host: Peter Smith
Guests: Shelly C. Lowe, Ph.D. (Navajo), President of The Institute of American Indian Arts
Rebecca K. (“Becky”) Rowley, Ph.D., President, Santa Fe Community College
Higher Education Center