Academic Resources with Ely

Transcript

Let’s meet Ely, a recent SKC alum, dedicated educator, and proud member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. Ely began her journey at SKC side by side with her husband, focusing both on raising a family and building a future. Now working at the local Boys & Girls Club, she’s using her passion to uplift youth in her community. The floor is all yours, Ely.

– Thanks, Alex. My journey began at Salish Kootenai College in the Early Childhood Education P-3 program as a non-traditional student. Today, I work for the local Boys & Girls Club, a path I never would’ve imagined possible without the foundations I built at SKC. I’m honored to share what this place means to me. SKC didn’t just support me, it supported my whole family. I attended college alongside my husband, who earned his bachelor’s in hydrology and is finishing his master’s degree in Natural Resources Management while working for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes’ Natural Resources Department. Together, we raised our two children while pursuing our degrees, and through it all, SKC stood beside us. The early learning center on campus was a gift. It gave our children a safe space to grow while we focused on building our future. Having them nearby gave us the strength to keep going, even on the hardest days. Some of our most treasured memories are of family time in the library, each of us working on homework together. At SKC, we weren’t just earning degrees. We were growing as a family. What sets SKC apart is its heart. The education department offers six programs that shape educators who lead with compassion, culture, and purpose. Classes are small, relationships are deep, and learning is hands-on. Thanks to grant initiatives, kids across the reservation experience STEM through things like drone flying and mechanical programming. As the Director of Operations at the Boys & Girls Club, I oversee student engagement, which is uplifted by SKC and advances STEM identities for our rural kids who would otherwise not have such opportunities. At SKC, you’re part of a community that believes in you and walks with you every step of the way. Throwing it back to you, Alex.

– Thank you, Ely. Your story shows how SKC supports families, strengthens communities, and prepares community advocates, all without the heavy burden of debt. Compared to other colleges nationwide, SKC students graduate with significantly less debt. You’re living proof of the impact that kind of opportunity can make. Thanks again, Ely.