Fellowship program will support the success of Native
student veterans at TCUs
DENVER, May 17, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- The American Indian
College Fund (College Fund) has received a $50,000 grant from the May and Stanley Smith
Charitable Trust to implement a six-month fellowship focused on
empowering Native student veterans to success. The Naabaahii Ółta'í
(Student Warrior): Native Student Veterans Peer-to-Peer Program is
a mentorship opportunity that builds relationships between veterans
based upon their shared experiences.
The Native Student Fellows will collaborate to develop and
implement a community-based project that will support the overall
health and wellness of their TCUs and communities. This opportunity
will help the participating Native student veterans discover how to
best fill their roles both on and off campus. Each TCU involved in
the project will receive $9,000 to
support programmatic efforts.
American Indian College Fund
President and CEO, Cheryl Crazy Bull, said, "We appreciate being
able to honor the Native men and women who support our country
through military service. The Naabaahii Ółta'í (Student Warrior):
Native Student Veterans Peer-to-Peer Program allows fellows to use
the skills learned in the armed forces to take up mantles of
leadership in a new way on tribal college campuses and in their
home communities."
Both of the selected Native Student Fellows, Cynthia Jones and Tori
Benally, shared their thoughts on the importance of this
program. Jones said, "As an Indigenous Female Veteran, I have
endured many challenges that have come before me, the voices of my
ancestors through their songs and prayers have bestowed upon me, I
now can see myself as a leader of my family and community."
Benally added, "Being a part of this scholarship, has taught me
how to become a leader as a woman. To stay ahead and to be prepared
to help give an experience of knowledge to those who need it.
Mental health is a mental crisis that's often overlooked. Knowing
there is help is what our culture needs, being involved to provide
guidance is the best feeling ever."
About the American Indian College
Fund— The American Indian College
Fund has been the nation's largest charity supporting Native higher
education for 34 years. The College Fund believes "Education is the
answer" and provided $17.4 million in
scholarships and other direct student support to American Indian
students in 2022-23. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund
has provided more than $319 million
in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support.
The College Fund also supports a variety of academic and support
programs at the nation's 35 accredited tribal colleges and
universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations,
ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their
careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from
independent charity evaluators and is one of the nation's top 100
charities named to the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving
Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit
www.collegefund.org.
Journalists—The American Indian College Fund does not use the
acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College
Fund.
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SOURCE American Indian College
Fund