Press, Media, Financials
Media Inquiries
Reporters: Please contact Dina Horwedel at dhorwedel@collegefund.org or 303-426-8900
Speaker Requests: To request a speaker from our organization for your conference or event, please submit the request form.
On This Page
Press Releases
American Indian College Fund Names Dr. Leander “Russ” McDonald, President of United Tribes Technical College, its 2025-2026 Tribal College and University President Honoree of the Year
Congratulations to Dr. Leander “Russ” McDonald on being named the College Fund’s 2025-26 Tribal College and University President Honoree of the Year. Dr. McDonald shares how healing, humility, learning, and evolving have not only shaped his mindset as president of United Tribes Technical College but a life dedicated to others.
Ichigo Foundation Awards American Indian College Fund Adult Education Program
The Ichigo Foundation has gifted the American Indian College Fund a $100,000 award to support the Wounspe E’cetkiya O’takuye Piya A’yazunta Pi (Reconnecting Relatives to Education) Program over the next two years. With its first four graduates celebrated in 2025, this program, that provides resources to help American Indians who’ve had encounters with the justice system complete their high school equivalency, hopes to strengthen its partnership and explore other learning opportunities.
American Indian College Fund Wishes Pendleton Executive Vice President, Robert Christnacht, Fond Farewell
The American Indian College Fund honored Pendleton Woolen Mills’ long-time Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Robert Christnacht, at their headquarters on Tuesday, February 10 for his dedication to Native higher education ahead of his planned retirement this spring.
American Indian College Fund Announces Spring 2026 Faculty Fellow Cohort
The American Indian College Fund awarded a total of $96,063 to seven new faculty fellows in the spring 2026 cohort. This program supports tribal college and university faculty and staff in their graduate studies to increase the academic capacity of TCUs.
College Fund in the News
Tribal Colleges Brace for Disruption as Oversight Shifts to Interior Department
Why We Must Fully Fund Tribal Colleges and Universities
Two Indigenous College Presidents Among 2025 Aspen Ascend Fellows Advancing Family Well-Being
Institute of American Indian Arts 2025 Benefit & Auction Event Raises Record $1.2 Million Gross for Scholarships
Haskell Indian Nations University producing next generation of teachers | Opinion
American Indian College Fund Partners with Tribal Colleges and Universities to Focus Research on Cultural Impact
scholarships awarded in 2023-24
million in scholarships for 2023-24
first year scholars in 2023-24
scholars served since 1989
million awarded since 1989
College Fund Reports
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American Indian College Fund
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Student Biographies
Deanna
(Navajo)
Growing up on the Navajo reservation in Blue Gap, Arizona, Deanna learned early in life that determination and focus are the keys to lifting oneself out of adversity.
Sam
(Cherokee)
Sam’s chosen career path is all about words – using words to teach, to change hearts and minds, to rewrite truthful history, to document and preserve culture and language, and to shape the future. Sam’s vision for all Native people is to have a voice, and he wonders what our world would look like today if Native voices had been included in the growth and evolution of our country.
Promise
(Yankton and Santee Sioux)
“Resilience is in my DNA,” says Promise, reflecting on her upbringing. Surrounded by instability, drug abuse, and a responsibility to protect her younger siblings, Promise views her education as proof that nothing will stop her from achieving her goals.
Selena
(Pascua Yaqui)
Throughout her journey, Selena has seen the barriers that prevent her people from traveling on the path they want to take. Being a single mom with four kids, two of whom have special needs, she has first-hand experience with the lack of resources and culturally centered support available in Native communities. This is why Selena has taken it upon herself to receive the education she needs to be a guiding light for her tribal community and help clear a better path for them.
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