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.

Press Releases

American Indian College Fund Announces the 2024-25 Tribal College Students of the Year and Coca Cola Scholars

American Indian College Fund Announces the 2024-25 Tribal College Students of the Year and Coca Cola Scholars

The American Indian College Fund honored 34 Tribal College and University Students of the Year and 35 Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars at a ceremony in Rapid City, South Dakota, recognizing their academic achievements and community involvement. Additionally, Dr. Carla Sineway, President of Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College, was named the 2024-25 Tribal College and University President Honoree of the Year, with support from the Adolph Coors Foundation and The Coca-Cola Foundation.

American Indian College Fund Names President Carla Sineway, President of Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College as 2024-2025 Tribal College and University President Honoree of the Year 

The American Indian College Fund selected Carla Sineway, President of Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College, as its 2024-2025 Tribal College President Honoree of the Year. This award is granted to a distinguished individual who made a positive and lasting impact on the tribal college movement. 

United Tribes Technical College Publishes Video Series on Teacher Education Program

United Tribes Technical College Publishes Video Series on Teacher Education Program

The United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) Teacher Education Program released a series of videos to support program recruitment covering a wide range of topics and perspectives from current and past students, tribal elders, and education administrators. The program is funded by the American Indian College Fund (College Fund), through the Wounspekiya Unspewicakiyapi Native Teacher Education pilot program.

Tribal Organizations Urge Administration to Respect Tribal Sovereignty and Uphold Trust and Treaty Obligations Amid Executive Actions

A coalition of Tribal organizations, representing Tribal Nations and their citizens and communities, is calling on the Administration to ensure that recent executive actions do not undermine the unique sovereign political status of Tribal Nations as sovereign nations with which the federal government has trust and treaty obligations, or disrupt federal funding that flows from those relationships for essential Tribal programs.

College Fund in the News

Tribal Colleges Face Uncertain Future Amid Federal Funding Cuts

PBS News HourMay 20, 2025

American Indian College Fund scholar, Ella Bowen, and other tribal college and university students and faculty speak directly to how federal funding cuts enacted by the Trump Administration have had serious consequences and pose an ongoing threat to Native higher education in this piece by PBS News.

Higher Education for Native Students at a Crossroads

Native America CallingMar 19, 2025

At least 50 higher education institutions are facing investigations for what the U.S. Department of Education calls “race exclusionary” practices under the Trump Administration. President Cheryl Crazy Bull (Sicangua Lakota) of the American Indian College Fund appeared on Native America Calling to discuss the elimination of programs and initiatives that help Native students go to college and succeed once they are there as well as federal grants to higher education institutions.

Tribal College Campuses Are Falling Apart. The U.S. Hasn’t Fulfilled Its Promise to Fund the Schools.

ProPublicaOct 14, 2024

Learn why current conditions at tribal colleges and universities make it imperative to receive full funding to attract new programs, students, faculty, and staff.

Cheryl Crazy Bull Publishes Brief on Native Student College Access

The Campaign for College Opportunity has published "Ensuring College Access and Success for American Indian/Alaska Native Students,” authored by Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund. This latest publication is part of the Campaign for College Opportunity's "Affirming Equity, Ensuring Inclusion, and Empowering Action," a national initiative that elevates best practices supporting the college preparation, admission, affordability, and success of minoritized students.

Jasmine Seeks Role as Voice for Her People and Environment as University of Michigan Law Student

University of Michigan LawOct 18, 2023

College Fund student ambassador Jasmine (Menominee) has long been an environmental activist in her community, which depends upon the environment for its economic livelihood. Today she is studying at the University of Michigan Law School to pursue a career as an attorney working in litigation and appeals after realizing that the aspect of the environmental movement that affects her the most is social justice.

Congratulations Dyani White Hawk

MacArthur FoundationOct 4, 2023

The American Indian College Fund congratulates Dyani White Hawk (Lakota), multidisciplinary artist and tribal college and university graduate, who was named a 2023 MacArthur Fellow. Read more about Ms. White Hawk, her prestigious achievement, and her art.

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Student Biographies

Student Biography Samantha Maltais

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.

Student Biography Samantha Maltais

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.

Student Biography Jamie Artussee

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.

Student Biography Jamie Artussee

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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