Mary BigBow, BSW, MSW

Mary Bigbow is a Fulbright Scholar who went to Brazil to research the conditions (poverty, parenting, work conditions) of sex workers in four major cities. Upon her return she did several presentations on her observations. Mary joined with another faculty member and a staff member to write a National Institutes of Health grant proposal to research the history of transgender issues in four American Indian communities (two in Montana, two in the Southwest). Mary has incorporated concerns of transgender people in her social work classes. Mary also has interest in researching the effects of domestic violence on women and children, especially children in utero. Interest in the area of domestic violence awareness and prevention has led to the incorporation of conflict resolution and peace education in the her course and involvement with SKC Bush Foundation groups to discuss these and other issues of concern to vulnerable populations.

Mary is a past board member of emergency services for women experiencing domestic violence. She continues to work closely with this service as well as safe houses for women. Recently, she collaborated with Safe Harbor and Domestic Violence Emergency Services (DOVES) to present the Third Annual Clothesline Project on the Salish Kootenai College Campus. Mary is currently working with SKC students, faculty and staff to establish a community garden. Another project is building safe handicap-accessible playground of low-income neighborhoods. Below is a list of contacts with other groups and agencies.

Off-campus:
· Boys and Girls Club, Ronan—Volunteer
· Tribal Human Resources Development Classes, Pablo (mentors people who have had long-term difficulties entering the work force; helps them with skills needed for long-term work relationships)—Has taught conflict resolution skills and emotional intelligence information.
· Andy Hudak, LCPC, a Montana counselor who has works with sex offenders, spoke to Mary's classes about sexual violence and treatment

On campus: Mary invites the following departments into her classes:
· Information Technology Department—How to develop online portfolios
· Library—How to use library services
· Various faculty development groups meet regularly (and on own time) throughout the school year to exchange and discuss teaching-related information. Mary participates in the following:
· Time to Think Group—Ways to listen and draw out student thought.
· Cultural Group—Defining and integrating cultural information into curriculum
· Service Learning—Ways to involve students in citizenship and volunteer activities
· Exploring Alternative Paradigms Group—Implications for learning (e.g., quantum physics, spirituality
· Mary serves on the SKC Library Committee, which oversees library activities and resources. She is also helping them plan poetry and writing workshops.
· Mary participated in the campus-wide Poetry Like Bread Week for celebrating and encouraging poetry on campus.
· Mary oversaw a student project to educate the community about domestic violence. The students got the SKC Student Senate involved in a week-long project (Clothesline Project and Silent Witness Display; see 7.2). She is currently making contacts for next year's program, which will include a panel discussion on ways the following agencies can cooperate more effectively: tribal and county law enforcement; the Tribal Crime Victims' Advocacy Coordinator; DOVES, Safe Harbour.
· Mary has attended national conferences on assessing student performance and she works with campus assessment advisor Stacey Sherwin to develop more effective assessment strategies and resources.
· Mary attended the National CSWE Conference in Los Angeles.

Mary BigBow 's CV