One of the largest entering classes in recent years for Penn State's American Indian Leadership Program -- 12 graduate students - will be on the University Park campus for fall semester. Nine of the 12 started classes during Summer Session. The AILP is among the nation's top programs for Indian leadership preparation in education at local, tribal, state and national levels. Since its inception in 1970, approximately 190 AILP students have earned doctoral and master's degrees. "The United States today is experiencing a shortage of American Indian teachers, administrators and counselors," says AILP director Dr. John Tippeconnic, himself an alumnus, and professor of education. "It is important that schools with large numbers of American Indian students fill key administrative and teaching positions with professionals who are familiar with tribal languages and cultures."
Last year, AILP celebrated its 30th year by sponsoring a conference, "A Tradition of Leadership," with its alumni and Penn State's first traditional American Indian pow wow, a celebration of dance and culture. Since Pennsylvania's Indian population is quite small, the program attracts students from across the country, including Arizona, New Mexico, Washington, Oregon and South Dakota. The full article on AILP is available by downloading a PDF copy of the College of Education alumni magazine article at: http://www.ed.psu.edu/news/publications/mag_spring02.pdf The AILP web site is at: