The ASU Tribal Scholarship fair, organized with the help of the American Indian programs and One Nation club, is scheduled for March 21 and 22.
The event, which will be held in the Cooley Ballrooms of Polytechnic campus' Student Union, will showcase opportunities for both American Indian students and those interested in working with American Indian programs.
In 2000, the American Indian enrollment at ASU Polytechnic totaled 35 students. By 2005, the number had increased to 138. The American Indian programs at Polytechnic have played a part in keeping the number increasing steadily by recruiting students and encouraging them to major in mathematics, technology and the sciences, said Miranda Strong, American Indian programs coordinator.
"A lot of Native people attend school here, particularly those from the Navajo Nation reservation, since they are so close," Strong said.
While universities show a 70 percent dropout rate for American Indians in their first year, Polytechnic has an 84 percent retention rate and a graduation rate of 80 percent.
Polytechnic campus' American Indian population is one of the fastest growing in the nation, with enrollment nearing 18 percent.
"[The programs] started with Chuck Backus," said Phillip Huebner, director of American Indian Programs at Polytechnic. "When he came out here to be provost for this campus, he saw it as an ideal setting for Native students. Having said that, one of the biggest pitfalls for Native students coming to a major university is the cultural shock, the loss of identity."
Strong said she agreed this was a common problem for American Indian students.
"Being over at the Tempe campus, there are just so many things going on -- good and negative -- that they end up falling into different lifestyle changes that they are not used to back home," Strong said.
Strong added that being at the Polytechnic campus helps American Indian students adjust to college life.
"If they choose to go over to the Tempe campus, or if their program is over there, at least they get used to what the classes are going to be like," she said.
Strong also said the family housing available at the Polytechnic campus is a valuable resource for American Indian students.
"With Native peoples, family is very important. I believe the family housing has helped out with the American Indian enrollment here." Strong said.
Reach the reporter at cem.burnham@asu.edu.
