Additional Programs

Media Center
The SKC Media Center is located on campus in the D’Arcy McNickle Building. The Center coordinates the use and production of audiovisual materials for the college and also produces programs under contract with outside agencies, institutions and governments. Classes in photography, video production, and mass communication are also offered under the general studies program and taught by faculty in the film and television production department. The department uses current digital and nonlinear production technology and traditional still camera formats.

SKC Extension
Salish Kootenai College integrates extension, education, and research to advance land grant initiatives for our Tribal community. A focus on ecological restoration processes has led to developing a native plant nursery production and teaching facility, sharing native plant growing techniques with the Tribal greenhouse staff, and implementation of native plantings for restoration purposes. We are mapping noxious weeds, providing education, and coordinating community level planning and weed control efforts. Extension is facilitating the Tribal Colleges with a special Water quality project to increase involvement with the USDA water quality program. We are expanding the scope of extension by implementing delivery of curriculum in diet, health, and fitness aimed at preventing and reversing diet related illness.

The Salish Kootenai College Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory (SKC- CMBL)
is a student’s link between class work and the latest instrumentation and discoveries in biology, medicine and biotechnology.  The variety of instrumentation available within the SKC- CMBL allows students to pursue interests ranging from viruses to whole cells, tissues and organs.  The SKC-CMBL utilizes PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) in combination with other techniques to study DNA, genomes, gene regulation, proteins and cells. Additionally, SKC-CMBL is hunting for new viruses, in hopes of discovering new anti-bacterial agents (antibiotics) as well as gaining important insights into how living organisms, including man, adapt to their environments. SKC- CMBL’s new microscopy facility allows students to view detailed structure and function of cells, tissues and organs as well as perform independent study and research relating to disease, diversity of species, and the environment.

The Salish Kootenai College Environmental Laboratory (SKC-EL)
specializes in the analysis of environmental contaminants in water and soil, as well as plant and animal tissues.  SKC-EL serves as analytical chemistry support for the General Sciences and Natural Resources Programs by providing student training, through laboratory internships, and offering technical skill, expertise and resources to support student and faculty research projects.  Through laboratory internships, SKC-EL allows students to gain valuable experience on state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation, such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AA).  Current on-going projects include the investigation of the movement and adverse effects of heavy metals, such as mercury, and environmental organic contaminants, such as brominated flame retardants on wildlife and the environment.

Upward Bound and Gear Up
Upward Bound is a federally funded TRIO program designed to provide low-income, first-generation high school students with the skills and motivation necessary  for success in postsecondary education. The program serves 80 students on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Services include tutoring, mentoring, college entrance preparation, enrichment activities, and college visitations. A six-week residential summer component on campus offers students high school credit, college credit, and work-study experiences. GEAR UP “Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs” provides college preparatory services to a cohort of 250 students at Ronan Middle School and Two Eagle River School. The partnership project involves The Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kellogg Leadership for Community Change, Tribal Education, and other community organizations. Students benefit from curriculum reform, tutoring, mentorship classes, college entrance testing, financial aid preparation, parent involvement, and summer enrichment opportunities.

Talent Search
Talent Search programs serve young people in grades six through twelve. In addition to counseling, participants receive information about college admission requirements, scholarships and various student fi nancial aid programs. This early intervention program helps people from families with incomes under $24,000 (where neither parent graduated from college) to better understand their educational opportunities and options.

Traditional Lifestyles for Healthy Communities