Native Excellence: Native Voices in Higher Education

It's that time of year again—the season when students of all ages return to their classrooms, embarking on a fresh school year. In this episode of The Sentinel, we delve into the distinctive challenges faced by Native students pursuing higher education. Our focus begins with an exploration of NCAI's historical advocacy on behalf of Native students and Tribal Colleges and Universities. Then, we bring forth an amazing lineup of guests, each offering their unique perspective as Native students, educators, and advocates. The Sentinel spoke with Tesia Zientek (Citizen Potawatomi Nation), President of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) to shed light on the recent Supreme Court decision from 2023, which struck down affirmative action in higher education and its anticipated impact on Native applicants. We'll also gain insights from Dr. Kirby Brown (Cherokee Nation), Director of Native American and Indigenous Studies at the University of Oregon, as he discusses his institution's efforts in recruiting, retaining, and enhancing the educational experience for Native students. Additionally, Jantzen Hale (Navajo Nation) will share her perspective as a former participant in the College Horizons Program. Lastly, we are honored to have Connor Veneski (Cayuga Nation) join us as a new NCAI individual member and the first-ever graduate of a Tribal College and University to attend Harvard Law School.