The fourth year of the educational partnership between Black Hills State University and Crazy Horse Memorial University® (CMHU®), formerly known as The Indian University of North America® at Crazy Horse Memorial®, concluded its summer academic programming with a celebratory ceremony held August 2. Included in this partnership is the 7TH GEN.® program and Wichozani Health and Wellness undergraduate certificate.
The 7TH GEN.® First-Year Program, which just completed its 15th year, celebrated a 100% successful completion rate for the third consecutive summer. This year’s cohort included 24 first-year students representing 14 different tribes and nine states. The five Upper-Level students and four resident assistants, all returning 7TH GEN.® students or former participants, played key roles in mentoring and supporting the incoming class.
Designed to equip Native students with the tools needed to thrive in college, the 7TH GEN.® First-Year Program admits high school graduates who meet the program's standard or probationary admission criteria. Once accepted and enrolled, students have the opportunity to earn a maximum of 12 credit hours. Through the partnership with BHSU, these earned credits gain the necessary accreditation for transfer to the college, university, or technical institute of the student's preference.
“The educational partnership between Black Hills State University and Crazy Horse Memorial University® provides an opportunity to build pathways for shared growth and mutual benefit,” said Dr. Urla Marcus, director of the Center for American Indian Studies at BHSU. “Equally important, this partnership expands educational access, workforce development, and leadership opportunities for our Native students.”
Another milestone in the partnership was the completion of the first cohort for the Wichozani Health and Wellness undergraduate certificate this past spring. Nine students representing seven tribal nations completed the 14-week undergraduate certificate, which focuses on public health and wellness education tailored for Indigenous communities. The program emphasizes traditional healing practices alongside modern health science and is currently recruiting for its second year.
On August 22, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new greenhouse addition to the CMHU® campus. Once completed, the facility will allow students to grow native plants and traditional medicines, providing hands-on learning that bridges scientific inquiry with cultural knowledge.
“Adding a greenhouse to Crazy Horse Memorial University® campus will allow an exciting opportunity to research, cultivate, study, and preserve a diverse range of native plants, foods, medicines, and traditional agricultural practices,” said Angel Lee, director of CMHU®. “The greenhouse also promotes the 7TH GEN.® philosophy, wherein the cohort in residence will be planting, caretaking, and prepping the greenhouse for future cohorts arriving on campus.”
The greenhouse is expected to be completed before the upcoming 2026 Spring Program begins in January.
