American Indian students at ASU have a chance to network at the American Indian Student Support Services dinner from Monday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
This year, AISSS targeted their event “Natives Connecting at ASU” toward freshman and transfer students.
The event will focus on presenting new students with the tools ASU offers to help be successful, AISSS Program Manager Laura Gonzales-Macias said.
“We want students to see and feel that they are connected,” Gonzales-Macias said.
AISSS Executive Director Michael Begaye said AISSS was in touch with students during summer to establish connections between students and the program.
Prior to the dinner, students will be introduced to American Indian student organizations at a fair in Old Main’s Carson Ballroom.
Gonzales-Macias said there are 16 student clubs with primarily American Indian student members.
She added AISSS’s goal is to help students bond over shared interests and majors, not just culture and race.
American Indian studies senior Britney Harper said ASU has a large, strong Native American community compared to other universities.
“Once students see Native American leaders, it gives them inspiration to grow and become leaders as well,” Harper said.
Harper added American Indian students should take advantage of the open opportunities the American Indian organizations offer at ASU.
Labs available to American Indian students on all four campuses offer scholarship and tutoring resources and highlight student artwork.
The Tempe campus lab is located on the third floor of Discovery Hall.
Begaye said American Indians may be behind in some academic rankings, but AISSS wants to have a five- to 10-year vision of where they plan to be.
“The bottom line is to help the Native American students to be successful,” Begaye said.
Harper said Monday night’s community-based welcome is designed to create a social comfort zone and eventually improve the academic stance of students.
She said once students get to know the campus and the tools available to them, they can become more well-rounded.
Students can RSVP for Monday evening’s event on the AISSS website.
Reach the reporter at hblawren@asu.edu
