For nearly 25 years, the Tribal College Journal has been published in Mancos, but the periodical recently launched an online presence.
"We are the only publication specifically targeting tribal colleges and universities," said publisher Rachel Simbeck. "The website allows us to connect to those students in a new way."
Launched in August, the new online literary and art webzine specifically aims to highlight and showcase student achievement, including the journal's annual awards for art, photography, poetry, fiction and nonfiction. Across the nation, 37 tribal colleges serve nearly 90,000 students and community members.
"The website provides us greater awareness and visibility," Simbeck said. "It also allows tribal colleges and students to be better-connected and share their experiences with one another."
For the publication's annual awards, tribal college students are invited to contribute their creative writing, artwork and opinions on real-life issues - from family and relationships to spirituality and cultural identity.
The new website is one of several steps the journal is taking to support its print edition and expand its readership, Simbeck added.
"Our goal is to provide information in the preferred format of our evolving audience and reach those who may not yet know about the work of the tribal colleges," she said.
Tribal College Journal is a national, nonprofit media organization operated by the American Indian Higher Education Consortium.
Tribal colleges and universities serve geographically isolated populations that have no other means of accessing education beyond the high school level.
They combine personal attention with cultural relevance to encourage American Indians - especially those living on reservations - to overcome the barriers they face to higher education.
The website offers students a virtual community of peers and role models, an audience for their work and helps students find career opportunities.
To view the 2013 annual student award winners, visit www.tcjstudent.org.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
