Student Professional Development Grants
Program Overview
Student Professional Development (SPD) grants provide experiential learning opportunities that boost your professional literacy and open doors to exciting career possibilities. As you develop your professional skills, you can gain a deeper understanding of your future employment options.
Overview video of Fall SPD Grant Process and Application
Grant Details
If awarded, you will receive $2500, depending upon your project’s focus, outcomes, and duration.
Scholars can only be awarded one SPD Grant per academic year. This is to ensure we assist more scholars with the opportunity for career opportunities.
Note: If an application is submitted it doesn’t mean you will be automatically selected. All applications will be reviewed by a committee and scored on a sliding scale.
Join us in shaping a brighter future for yourself. Your journey to personal and professional growth begins here.
Explore Experiences from Past Grant Receipients
Internship
Jaylon Romine
Juris Doctor in Law
The Muscogee Creek Nation
“This internship provided valuable hands-on legal experience that strengthened my résumé and expanded my professional network. I developed practical skills that employers value, including legal research, legal writing, teamwork, and professional communication. The experience also gave me greater confidence in pursuing future internships, law school, and a career in public service or federal law.”
Brock Smith
Juris Doctor in Law
Oneida Nation of Wisconsin
“This project has improved my soft skills while working with a particularly targeted population that frequently needs criminal defense services. By developing those skills and relying on this project to my supervisors, it increases the likelihood of them hiring me upon graduation to work as a public defender at the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association.”
From Brock’s Advisor:
This grant was a great opportunity for Brock to build client-centered practice. One of the most important parts of lawyering is developing a professional identity, which often is only effective when tested through work with clients. This was a great opportunity for Brock to engage with a subset of his client base in a different, more relaxed environment, thus giving him new ways to see himself as a professional and determine how he would like to continue relating with this population.
Field Work
Veronique Long
BA-Leadership & Communications
Round Valley Indian Tribe
“I’m more knowledgeable about buying and selling. More informed on how I can do both being a buyer at a corporation and for my own business. I can create more jobs in my community. I can also give my knowledge and skills I’ve recently acquired to someone else interested in my career path.”
From Veronique’s Advisor:
“She learned needed skills as a buyer, fashion merchandiser, and entrepreneur. How being entrepreneur requires you to do all your own marketing, advertising, and buying.”
Research
Rico Pinola
Electrical Engineering
Pomo
“This experience improved my ability to gain employment in my field of interest and within my community by providing tangible work that demonstrates my writing, critical thinking, and communication skills. The project reflects my pride in being Native American, my commitment to examining Native representation in film, and my desire to contribute new narratives centered on our people. Through this work, I analyze overlooked themes and draw meaningful connections across films spanning different decades and genres. These skills directly prepare me for professional roles that value cultural literacy, analytical thinking, and the ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and purpose.”
From Rico’s Advisor:
“This project advanced Rico’s analytical writing, cultural interpretation, and research skills. He demonstrated growth in synthesizing interdisciplinary sources, managing project deadlines, and articulating culturally informed perspectives. The project required perseverance, adaptability, and professionalism—all essential competencies for academic and workplace success.
In addition, I am a firm believer in self-actualization: being able to find oneself through being more rooted in one’s heritage decisively empowers Rico.”
Certification
Major Elliot
Medical Doctor
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)
“This experience has provided me with valuable clinical experience while strengthening the academic foundation necessary for a career in medicine. Working at National Vascular Physicians has allowed me to develop professional relationships, gain practical healthcare experience, and better understand the expectations of a clinical environment. These experiences have made me a stronger medical school applicant and will continue to prepare me for future opportunities as a physician serving Native and underserved communities.”
From Major’s Advisor:
“Although Major has only recently joined our practice, he has demonstrated professionalism, a willingness to learn, and strong communication skills while working with our front office and clinical staff. Our conversations have also reflected the discipline, resilience, and commitment required to balance intensive MCAT preparation with relocating to begin his clinical career.”
Field Work
Nizhoní Begay
Agricultural Education
Oneida Nation of Wisconsin
“This experience has taught me how important timeline tracking during projects is important. There would have been greater success in submitting my evaluation form on time and finishing my proposed documentary project if I had established a timeline of events to follow during the fall semester. I also learned about the process of applying to grants and working with them to achieve the goals of my projects. It has been a wonderful experience in regards to exposure. The time spent working with the Student Professional Development grant has given me great confidence in my chosen career and helps me look forward to putting my work out there. Thank you for the opportunity.”
From Nizhoní’s Advisor:
Nizhoní demonstrated problem-solving skills and collaborated effectively with other student workers to ensure the proper functioning of the water filtration system. Her proactive approach helped in troubleshooting and repairing leaks efficiently, minimizing water waste. This reflects her teamwork and commitment to resolving technical issues.
When engaging with clients, Nizhoní articulates the importance of additional vaccinations for puppies, which enhances her communication skills. Her ability to clearly explain complex information is a valuable asset in professional interactions.
Research
Clay Begay
Agricultural & Resource Economics Management
Diné
“Participating in this research honed my ability to collaborate effectively, manage complex data analysis in R, and communicate findings through our bi-weekly presentations. Repeatedly refining hypotheses based on empirical results strengthened my critical thinking and adaptability. These skills–teamwork, quantitative analysis, and persuasive communication–as foundational to my aspirations as an agricultural economist and equally vital to my future career as an attorney.”
From Clay’s Advisor:
“As mentioned before, the project was managed through eight project tasks, four milestone presentations, one final poster and poster presentations. Clay also wrote a paper on the project. The project advances student skills on research design, survey design, data collection, data management, data analysis, statistical modeling, and statistical software coding. Through team work and presentations, students also advance oral and written communications and collaboration skills.”
Internship
Amari Larocque
Native American Leadership
Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota
“Participating in the fashion show solidified my desire to pursue a career in Indigenous fashion design. Showcasing my work on a professional platform boosted my confidence, expanded my network, and affirmed the importance of cultural representation in fashion. It motivated me to continue creating pieces that celebrate identity, resilience, and storytelling through design.”
From Amari’s Advisor:
The students project helped with getting the student out and talking in public and helped with organization and helping and getting more involved with the community
Internship
Danielle Kouyoumdjian
Law/American Indian Studies
Tohono O’odham
“Nation-building and traditional ecological knowledge go hand-in-hand. Traditionally, my people were masters of desert agriculture, and this is a proud tradition that I must carry on, in whatever capacity that I choose to serve. Whether it is legal counsel for my tribe, attorney general for the Tohono O’odham Nation, or an O’odham lawyer writing public policy for the Department of the Interior, the intention behind everything that I do must be centered around our connection to the land.
Culture knowledge is just as important (some might argue more important) as the legal training that I will gain in law school.”
From Danielle’s Advisor:
“It helped in many ways but the main one is she got to practice her skills.”
Previous Recipients
Internship
Hon’mana Seukteoma
- Tohono O’odham Community College, Arizona
- AA – Fine Arts
- Tohono O’odham
“This experience has taught me how important timeline tracking during projects is important. There would have been greater success in submitting my evaluation form on time and finishing my proposed documentary project if I had established a timeline of events to follow during the fall semester. I also learned about the process of applying to grants and working with them to achieve the goals of my projects. It has been a wonderful experience in regards to exposure. The time spent working with the Student Professional Development grant has given me great confidence in my chosen career and helps me look forward to putting my work out there. Thank you for the opportunity.”
From Hon’mana’s Advisor:
From your perspective, how was this grant project helpful in developing the student’s career trajectory?
“I believe that this project is helping Hon’mana professionalize and find their voice. They are learning the ropes of film production, while staying centered on their mission of protecting the Ha:ṣañ and bahidaj within the O’odham Himdag.
I can see Hon’mana leaving TOCC with a strong project that will take them into the world of documentary filmmaking, or video art, or even social practice art forms. I believe many opportunities will open up to them with this project because it is both personally and politically relevant work, that no one else is better qualified to create.”
Research Project Avery Tilley
- University of Georgia
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
- Cherokee Nation
“This experience has profoundly impacted my career goals as an aspiring tribal wildlife veterinarian. By bridging the worlds of wildlife conservation and veterinary medicine through a tribal lens, I have gained invaluable hands-on experience working with wildlife while viewing conservation efforts through the cultural context of indigenous communities. Communicating my findings via a manuscript will contribute to scientific knowledge and demonstrate that integrating these traditionally separate fields is possible and essential for holistic conservation efforts. Furthermore, this project has allowed me to develop educational resources aimed at inspiring and nurturing the next generation of tribal wildlife biologists and veterinarians. By sharing my journey and insights, I hope to empower indigenous youth to pursue careers in wildlife management and veterinary medicine, ensuring the continuation of culturally sensitive conservation practices within tribal communities. This project has solidified my passion for supporting tribal wildlife management from an indigenous veterinary perspective and laid the foundation for a future dedicated to advancing the intersection of indigenous knowledge and modern conservation practices.”
From Avery’s Advisor:
From your perspective, how was this grant project helpful in developing the student’s career trajectory?
“Very much so. Avery’s involvement in this project has significantly advanced his career trajectory. He demonstrated a deep commitment to integrating cultural perspectives with scientific research, a crucial skill for a future tribal wildlife veterinarian. I am confident he will excel in this field, and I am pleased to support him in this endeavor”
Service Learning Project Lora Miller
- Yuba College, California
- Human Services / Social Services
- Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria
“By having this opportunity, I was able to apply the skills I have learned on paper and in school, in a real time setting. Learning to manage this grant helped me to understand capacity along with managing deliverables in a timely manner. I was also able to connect two different entities under one grant, raising awareness and support in areas of critical thinking, positive psychology, group and individual cooperation, communication & anger management tools.”
From Lora’s Advisor:
From your perspective, how was this grant project helpful in developing the student’s career trajectory?
“This grant gave Lora valuable experience that will allow her to grow in her current position at our organization. Being a nonprofit that runs purely off of grants, having an additional person that can apply and manage grants is hugely beneficial. It’s also a transferrable skill that she can take with her if she decides to work at a different nonprofit/community organization.”
Field Work Project Lawrence Village Center III
- Sitting Bull College, North Dakota
- BS-Environmental Science
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota
How did this experience impact your proposed career goal(s)?
“This experience impacted on my proposed career goals by allowing me to see what is expected from every position of employment on a co-op farm. It gave me insight into the different duties of maintaining progression and that sometimes the growing the season doesn’t always go as planned. I enjoyed this experience because it gave me knowledge of new types of soil, agriculture management, water management, time management, how important it is to inform and involve the community.”
From Lawrence’s Advisor:
From your perspective, how was this grant project helpful in developing the student’s career trajectory?
“This grant was helpful in developing Lawrence’s career by exposing Lawrence to new ideas that are relevant to his agricultural goals. Lawrence’s career projectory is unique in that there are many facets to it and focuses on a long term plan. Lawrence has a high awareness of his surroundings and areas where education is needed. This grant provided one additional step to launching his career. “
Tribal Colleges and Universities
Tribal colleges and universities provide dynamic higher education opportunities, most on or near reservation lands. Known for their remarkable programs, culturally-relevant curricula, and familial student care – tribal colleges allow students to further their careers, attain an advanced degree, or better support their communities.
