Bridging the culture gap: BSU Director of American Indian Resource Center targets student retention

BEMIDJI—The first thing Bill Blackwell Jr. plans to do as executive director of BSU's American Indian Resource Center is focus on student retention. While he works on that task, he's also going to look at revamping the AIRC web presence, implement programs for student-parents and bring new life into the aging center.

A BSU alumnus, Blackwell was hired as director in June. Blackwell succeeds Anton Treuer, who was director for three years before returning to faculty as Professor of Ojibwe at the university. Blackwell said having Treuer on campus will be a valuable resource.

"We have the utmost faith in Bill as the new executive director," Treuer said. "He's a dynamic leader who brings fresh vision and a great toolbox to help us elevate the institution's efficacy in retaining native students."

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