Jordan Walks Over Ice of Little Big Horn College

Jordan Walks Over Ice is from the Apsáalooke Nation (Crow tribe) and is currently majoring in environmental science. Jordan recently earned an associate’s degree from Little Big Horn College (LBHC) in Crow Agency, Montana, and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree as a current junior at Montana State University in Bozeman.

During his time at LBHC, Jordan had the opportunity to participate in several academic workshops and programs. He was selected to attend a drone workshop at the University of Montana, where the class learned the inner workings of drone technology, including its applications in firefighting and agriculture. Jordan also gained hands-on experience flying drones on the Oval at Montana State University and utilized ArcGIS online to create a 3D model of the Oval using aerial scans and drone imagery. In addition, Jordan participated in “Trails to Research,” a Montana State University program that offers a one-week zebrafish research course. During this program, the class designed and conducted a project investigating how environmental or human-health-related substances affect zebrafish development. This experience allowed Jordan to observe early vertebral developmental stages that are similar to those in early human development.

Education is important to Jordan because, in today’s world, having a degree is important not only for job opportunities but also for being considered in many professional fields. Personally, Jordan says that pursuing higher education allows him to work in the environments that he loves, whether that means being on a worksite or out in the field collecting soil or water samples. Earning an education in this field is the number one thing for securing internships and future employment with organizations where he can continue doing what he loves.

Jordan plans to continue to pursue a master’s degree after his bachelor’s degree at Montana State University. “If it weren’t for Little Big Horn College, I wouldn’t have many of the opportunities I have today,” says Jordan, adding, “The courses there allowed me to be prepared and knowledgeable enough to continue my studies at Montana State. They also allowed me to network with people working at Montana State University, with multiple visits and opportunities to connect with those already attending. Little Big Horn also encouraged me to continue my education in a four-year program after graduating from their institution.”