“Our Native American Students unfortunately do not often get chances to engage in professional development opportunities that both reinforces their sense of positive cultural identity and their goals in higher education. The project hopes to normalize success and help students see themselves as competent and their perspectives as Native American as valued and important.”
Rachel Davis
Native American Coordinator, University of Wisconsin Stevels Point

Rachel Davis works at the Native American Center at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, in Wisconsin. The Native American Center provides one-on-one advising, case management, resource facilitation, and community building for Native American college students. She plans to use her $5,000 grant for professional development for her students, “helping them to foster a growth mindset and faciliate their transformation in higher education.”

Students will attend the 8th Annual Native American Leadership Forum, which hosts the nation’s Native American leaders in Gaming & Commission, Government, Tribal Government, and other industries across Indian Country. Students will connect and network with Native leaders, leading them to feel motivated and inspired to pursue developing their own leadership skills. They will be able to create meaningful connections with each other and other Native leaders. 

Through this program, Rachel will help students improve their sense of positive of cultural identity, decrease incidences of early exiting from college, build a sense of belonging, and develop confidence in their abilities to succeed and lead.

Post Views: 1,364