This small sample of colleges and universities is meant to give you an idea of the range of choices open to you. Choosing your school is a big decision, but once you weigh considerations that are important to you, like finances, field of study, and location, that hard choice gets easier. So read all the information you can — starting with the Top 200 Schools for Indigenous Students on page 22 — discuss your picks with your family, counselors, and teachers, and visit as many schools as you can. Because sometimes a place just seems right.
ku.edu
The wooded main campus of the University of Kansas is considered one of the most beautiful in the country. This publicly supported university is located in Lawrence, a lively city of 90,000, in the northeastern part of the state. In addition, there are four branch campuses, including three medical center campuses in Kansas City, Salina, and Wichita.
Research is part of the school’s mission, with a stated focus on “making discoveries that change the world.” The Lawrence campus is part of the prestigious Association of American Universities, known for excellence in graduate and professional education as well as attainment in research, which at KU is supported in part by more than $263 million in external funding and housed in multiple laboratories, centers, and institutes. The Center for Undergraduate Research encourages even first-year students to initiate their own projects.
The variety among the 50 plus ranked graduate programs and 200 plus undergraduate fields of study across 13 academic schools reflects the focus on research, discovery, and service (another principal aspect of the mission — students contributed 80,000 hours of community service last year).
The school’s more than 28,000 students choose from among 5,000 courses in a cross-disciplinary learning environment. Academic paths lead to 400 different degree and certificate programs, including those available online. The student-faculty ratio is 17 to 1.
This is a busy campus with a diverse body of students who plan and execute hundreds of events all year — there is always something going on. Campus resources offer a place to pursue almost any interest. Among the 600-plus organizations is the AISES KU College Chapter. The Office of Multicultural Affairs is active in ensuring an inclusive, welcoming campus for historically underrepresented and underserved students.
The name of the school mascot — the Jayhawk — recalls the nickname of anti-slavery freedom fighters in Kansas during the Civil War era. Big 12 Conference athletics are an inseparable part of campus life at KU, with Jayhawks NCAA Division I teams taking to the field, court, and pool. Iconic facilities include the James Naismith Court, named for the educator who invented basketball in Massachusetts, but literally wrote the book on the “Rules of Basketball” at KU.
College Chapter Profile
University of New Mexico
The global pandemic may have cleared out the campus of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, but it hasn’t stopped the AISES College Chapter. Pre-pandemic, the group of about 20 members gathered for biweekly meetings at the School of Engineering or in the main library. But for months now, they have been holding meetings through Zoom on days that are best for everyone holed up in their far-flung homes. The goal, say co-presidents Durante Pioche-Lee and Aaron Eyachabbe, is to keep the members as connected and involved as possible. Other officers are Kody Becenti, treasurer, and Raven Alcott, secretary.
COURTESY OF UNM AISES CHAPTER
The chapter also plans to keep on having the good times that made their in-person meetings so popular. Besides a place to build academic and professional connections, the chapter has provided a space where members from various cultures are able to support each other, plan social events, and just have fun.
Continuously since 1983, this chapter has been making good memories and creating companionship when the group gets together, whether it’s volunteering for a good cause, attending the National Conference, or just hanging out. The chapter has won awards in the past, including a recent leadership award, and they are keeping up the reputation and sticking to the standards of excellence set by past chapter members.
Today’s UNM AISES is involved in STEM activities and events both off and on campus, like Run for Nerds, Energy Day, and Math Moves You. Current plans call for a joint effort to make 3D printed masks for communities in need.
navajotech.edu
The largest tribal college in the United States, Navajo Technical University delivers on its mission of offering an excellent education for the future in the context of respect for traditional Diné cultural values. The main campus of NTU is in Crownpoint, N.M., with additional instructional sites in Kirtland and Zuni, N.M., and Chinle and Teec Nos Pas, Ariz. The university is located on the beautiful Navajo Nation and welcomes students and faculty from around the globe.
With an average annual cost of around $6,000, NTU appears on many lists of affordable colleges, including a ranking in the top five online schools in New Mexico by BestValueSchools.org. Financial aid staff help students obtain scholarships, grants, and other assistance. NTU is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, and the graduation rate within eight years is 24 percent.
Founded in 1979 as the Navajo Skill Center, Navajo Tech is true to its heritage of offering practical programs that prepare students for careers. Among other skills and trades in the curriculum, NTU is home to the first veterinary technician program offered by a tribal college. But today’s Navajo Tech is much more than a vocational school. The nearly 1,200 students pursue a variety of certificates and academic degrees, including associate’s, bachelor’s, and two master’s programs: an MA in Diné culture, language, and leadership and an MS, to be offered online starting in the spring of 2021, in management information systems.
The main Crownpoint campus offers student and faculty housing, a child care center, a library, a bookstore, and a cafeteria. The Navajo Tech Center for Digital Technologies and the Center for Advanced Manufacturing provide opportunities for cutting-edge research, experiential learning, and technology transfer. Academic support and tutoring are available in the STEAM/Tutoring Lab, located in the Student Union.
For students who want to do more than explore the rugged landscape beyond the campus, the Wellness Center offers fitness equipment, a weight room, and athletic programs. Skyhawks teams compete in cross country, archery, and rodeo skills, along with intramural volleyball and basketball. NTU is a member of the U.S. Collegiate Athletics Association.