Native Food, Energy, Water Systems
The Native FEWS Non-credit Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) Certificate provides knowledge and skill development for jobs as tribal liaisons. FEWS tribal liaisons collaborate with and represent Native and Indigenous communities on issues impacting food, energy, and water.
The Native Food, Energy, Water Systems (FEWS) Non-credit Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) Certificate is the result of input and collaboration with Native/Indigenous serving agencies and organizations toward the common goal of increasing Native/Indigenous representation in FEWS education and careers (Native FEWS Alliance – Significantly broadening the participation of Native American students in Food, Energy, and Water Systems (FEWS) education and careers to address critical challenges facing their communities). A CPE certificate is a transcripted, non credit certificate offered through the University of Colorado Denver's extended studies programming. The Native FEWS CPE Certificate is designed to complement knowledge surrounding food, energy, and water systems with additional topics in one or more of the following areas:
Tribal Governance & Non-Tribal Relations
Cultural Engagement & Participatory Decision-Making
Indigenous Cultural Responsiveness & Positionality
Communication, Mediation, Negotiation, & Conflict Resolution
FEWS Liaison Focus Area (writing, presenting, research methodologies)
The program is designed so that participants can earn a micro credential in each of the above areas as they work toward the award of the full CPE Certificate. Each micro credential, a short-list of experiences that certify one's knowledge or skill in a specific area, earned contributes toward receipt of the full CPE Certificate; however, participants can also choose to earn individual micro credentials. The program is available to any individual, including community members and students enrolled in any college or university.
Receipt of the micro credentials or the full CPE Certificate can help with job qualification and application to post-baccalaureate or post-associate degrees. It is estimated that each micro credential can be completed within 1-2 semesters and multiple micro credentials can be completed at the same time.
If you are interested or have any questions, please use the request for information form. A Native FEWS advisor will work with you and guide you through the process of application and completion which include:
Filling out the free CU Denver Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) application.
Meeting with your Native FEWS advisor to identify which micro credentials you would like to participate in. Once identified, your advisor will work with you to identify the needed experiences which may include courses, workshops, internships/projects, or seminar series at any of the partnering agencies or organizations.
Completing each micro credential will consist of 45 to 60 contact hours per micro credential. Micro credentials can be completed over multiple semesters including summer and will include a small capstone project.
Completion of 3-4 micro credentials (depending on hrs spent on each) will award the Native FEWS CPE Certificate. Completion of the micro credentials does not require relocation from your home community. The Native FEWS CPE Certificate is designed for place-based and remote learning.
The Native FEWS CPE Certificate strives to keep costs as low as possible. However, there may be minimal costs associated with courses, workshops, internships/projects, and seminar series. The exact costs will be determined with the help of your Native FEWS advisor. The cost of application to the Native FEWS program is free. Thanks to the National Science Foundation (NSF), the cost of the Native FEWS CPE certificate is currently waived.
Your information will be sent to a FEWS certificate advisor.
© 2021 The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate. All rights reserved.
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. All trademarks are registered property of the University. Used by permission only.