Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Restructures Land-Grant Department

Santa Fe: August 21, 2020 - IAIA Director of Sponsored Programs, Laurie Logan Brayshaw, announced the restructuring of the IAIA Land-Grant program.

Melanie Kirby (Tortugas Pueblo) is joining the IAIA Land-Grant department as the Extension Educator. She will develop and deliver agricultural educational outreach programs.

Teresa Kaulaity Quintana (Kiowa) is moving into the position of IAIA Land-Grant Program Associate. She will develop leads for Land-Grant classes and workshops, assist with all Land-Grant outreach, and develop and deliver material for the Land-Grant website.

The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is designated as a 1994 Land-Grant institution that provides agriculture education to New Mexico's 22 Native American communities, the surrounding New Mexico communities, and IAIA students, faculty, and staff, through culturally-accepted outreach education programs. Through IAIA Land-Grant programs, community members will be able to gain the skills and knowledge to successfully achieve their agricultural endeavors, ensure food security through sustainable practices, and enhance their health and wellness-becoming contributing and thriving members of their communities.

Melanie Kirby is a member of the Tortugas Pueblo. She's a graduate of St. John's College in Santa Fe, NM, and is completing her MSc in Entomology from Washington State University.

A former Peace Corps Volunteer, a Fulbright Scholar and National Geographic Fellow in Spain, Ms. Kirby has worked with numerous Pueblos and Tribes including, Santa Clara Pueblo, Taos Pueblo, Tesuque Pueblo, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Acoma Pueblo -- along with the Coeur D'Alene and Niimíipuu (Nez Perce) Tribes. Over the years, Ms. Kirby has written many articles, given numerous presentations, and conducted research in the field of bees and beekeeping.

Teresa Kaulaity Quintana is a member of the Kiowa Nation and resides in Cochiti Pueblo with her husband and family.

Mrs. Quintana is a graduate of IAIA (BFA '13) and has a Greenhouse Management certificate. She has been employed as the IAIA Gardener since 2017. During this time, Mrs. Quintana has managed the yearly greenhouse and garden planting and harvesting. The produce has been shared with our students and the campus café. In addition, Mrs. Quintana has worked with and supervised student interns, Research Assistants, and work-study students.

Laurie Logan Brayshaw, Director of Sponsored Programs commented: "IAIA, and specifically our Land-Grant program, is fortunate to have Melanie and Teresa join us to develop and deliver agriculturally based educational outreach programs to Native American and other New Mexican communities."

Offering undergraduate degrees in Studio Arts, Creative Writing, Cinematic Arts and Technology, Indigenous Liberal Studies, Museum Studies, and Performing Arts -- an MFA in Creative Writing -- along with certificates in Business and Entrepreneurship, Museum Studies, and Native American Art History -- IAIA is the only college in the nation dedicated to the study of contemporary Native arts. The school serves approximately 500 full time equivalent (FTE) Native and non-Native American college students from across the globe. IAIA is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

About IAIA -- For over 50 years, the Institute of American Indian Arts has played a key role in the direction and shape of Native expression. With an internationally acclaimed college, museum, and tribal support resource through our Land Grant Programs, IAIA is dedicated to the study and advancement of Native arts and cultures -- and committed to student achievement and the preservation and progress of their communities. Learn more about IAIA and our mission at http://www.iaia.edu.

The Institute of American Indian Arts Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.