Office of Assessment and Evaluation

About the Office

Language and culture maintenance is one of many crucial issues facing tribal nations today. The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma has undertaken revitalization efforts since 1996 by developing a wide range of community based educational initiatives including support for the development of the Myaamia Center at Miami University to assist in tribal education.

A strategic goal of this revitalization movement, referred to as the Myaamiaki Eemamwiciki ‘the Miami Awaken’ is to strengthen the kinship connections of Myaamia citizens of all ages through a shared value and knowledge system rooted in Myaamia language and culture. It is understood that Myaamia Language use and cultural practices are the most efficient and effective means of transferring myaamia nipwaayoni iišinaakosioni ‘myaamia ways of knowing and being’.

The purpose of the Office of Assessment and Evaluation (OAE), created in 2012, is to observe, interpret, and document the impact of these experiences among tribal citizens, especially the youth, who enter this learning environment. The NAAT is a specialized interdisciplinary team charged with developing assessment instruments that deepen our understanding of the community impact of language and cultural education.

Impacts of Cultural Revitalization

Academic success for under-represented students is tied to many factors including

• Validating cultural identity
• On-Campus support
• Student interest and comfort within the institution

Historically, college graduation rates of Native American students have been lower than their white-American counterparts.

In 1991, three Myaamia students enrolled at Miami University thanks to a tuition waiver for Myaamia students. However, those students weren't engaging with their Myaamia culture or community on campus.

This changed in 2003 with the introduction of the Myaamia Heritage Program, which introduced on-campus support for Myaamia students attending Miami University and required these students to meet for a weekly class on Myaamia language and culture. After the launch of this program, the graduation rate began to climb.

It may be surprising that students' ACT scores coming into the program had no relation to graduation rates!

• 40% - Native American student graduation rate nationwide
• 56% - Myaamia student graduation rates at Miami University 1991-2002
• 92% - Myaamia student graduation rate at Miami since introducing language and cultural education as part of the Heritage Award Program

What factors are impacting the academic success of Myaamia students?

• Identity Formation
• Cultural Knowledge
• Tribal and Institutional Connections
• Social Adjustment
• On-Campus Support

In short, this research suggests that Myaamia students who feel connected and supported within their culture and community are more likely to experience success at Miami University.

Read the Study

Download the Infographic

OAE Successes

• 169 Myaamia students have enrolled at Miami University since 1996
• There are 100 Myaamia student graduates of Miami University
• 92% graduation rate for Myaamia students at Miami University as of 2021
• In 2022, the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma and Miami University will celebrate 50 years of relationship building
• Revitalized Myaamia art forms (ribbonwork) and games (lacrosse)
• Approximately 100 tribal youth aged 6-17 participate annually in Summer Youth Educational Experiences