This Father’s Day the American Indian College Fund is recognizing and celebrating our students who are also dads, doing the important work of caring for families while pursuing a higher education.
One such inspiring dad is Full Circle Scholar Jeffrey Low Dog Jr. (Assinboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana). A Navy veteran and criminal justice major at Fort Peck Community College who is a stay-at-home father and is on the president’s list, Jeffrey hopes to graduate and become a policeman or probation officer.
But Jeffrey’s journey has not been without challenges. After the loss of several family members, including his oldest sister who always told him how proud she was of his accomplishments, Jeffrey’s wife and sons became his support system. Jeffrey was motivated by his desire to be a role model for not only his sons but other youth in the community. And thanks to the support of his family, he was able to navigate his loss and continue his studies so he can serve the community and be someone he says the youth can look up to, while motiving them to do good for themselves, their families, and the community.
Jeffrey is just one example of the many caring and community-oriented student-fathers who are pursuing their education while also serving as caregivers, role models, and much more.
In honor of Father’s Day—and indeed, every day in between—the American Indian College Fund recognizes the dedication of the student fathers in our communities: to their children, their education and career goals, to their health, and to the health and well-being of their communities. We are all inspired by your example.
