Vision and Purpose
The mission of the Native American Student Services (NASS) Department at the University of Arkansas is to create a welcoming and supportive environment that fosters a strong sense of belonging for Indigenous students.
We are dedicated to building and sustaining an Indigenous community on campus by providing culturally relevant resources, advocacy, and opportunities for personal, academic, and cultural growth.
Through our commitment to preserving and celebrating Native American heritage, we strive to empower our students to thrive and succeed, within the university and beyond.
Creating a Sense of Belonging
To ensure that Native American students feel a strong sense of belonging, NASS has implemented the following strategies:
Cultural Events and Activities: Organize regular cultural events, such as cultural activities (beadwork), Native graduation blanket ceremony, stickball tournament, and Native Language presenters.
Student Groups and Interns: Support and promote student RSOs focused on Native American culture and issues. Mentored and supported # of student internships with culturally significant projects, student-centered projects, as well as valuable career experience.
Cultural Spaces: Created and maintained a dedicated space where Native American students can gather, study, and relax in a culturally supportive environment, with the creation of the Indigenous Scholars Lounge. Fostering community growth and building upon students’ sense of belonging.
Recruitment and Retention Support
Improving the recruitment and retention of Native American students is a key objective. NASS is currently:
Outreach Programs: Developed partnerships with multiple University of Arkansas Departments; Oklahoma recruiter, College Access Initiative, Multicultural Center, New Student & Family Programs. Keystone partnerships with Tribal communities were also achieved to increase awareness of educational opportunities and resources for Native American students.
Community Building: Establishing frameworks for mentorship programs that connect incoming students with upper-class Native American students, staff, and faculty.
Academic Support: Provided clear access and information to U of A tutoring services, the expansion of study groups via Native American student social media groups, and the development of workshops focused on academic skills and career development.
Identifying and Removing Barriers
NASS is dedicated to identifying and removing barriers that Native American students face. Efforts include:
Financial Assistance: Enhance financial support through informing and assisting students with access to scholarships, grants, and emergency funding specifically for Native American students, such as Tribal Scholarships and other Native Scholarship organizations. We have established partnerships with U of A Student Services to provide a more culturally inclusive experience for Native students.
Advising Services: Offering personalized advising to help students navigate academic requirements, financial aid, and career planning.
Feedback Mechanisms: Create channels for students to provide feedback on challenges they face within the University of Arkansas and actively work to address these issues. Through informed culturally sensitive instruction.
Tribal Relations
Building and maintaining strong relationships with resident-status Tribes is essential for the success of Native American students. NASS is:
Tribal Partnerships: Establishing formal partnerships with all resident status Tribes to collaborate on educational initiatives and support services. Tribes are currently represented within our NALC. Tribes so identified include the Caddo, Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, Delaware, Kickapoo, Osage, Peoria, Quapaw, Shawnee, and Tunica. Creating and fostering relationships with Tribal Nations across the U.S. and working closely with the 39 federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma.
Community Engagement: Currently engaging tribal leaders and communities in the planning and implementation of programs and services.
Cultural Respect and Understanding: Promoting cultural awareness and respect within the university community through educational programs and collaborative events.
The Native American Student Services department is dedicated to creating a supportive and enriching environment for Native American students at the University of Arkansas. By fostering a sense of vision and purpose, creating a sense of belonging, supporting recruitment and retention efforts, and removing barriers to combat the effects of removal. NASS aims to empower Native American students to achieve their full potential.