Sko’ 2 College Summer Webinars

Week Three

Learn More About the Presenters

Adrianna Tso (Diné/Chiricahua Apache)

Program Associate, College Readiness
American Indian College Fund

Adrianna is a Diné from Gallup, New Mexico but currently resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is the Manygoats clan and born for the Towering House People. Adrianna graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Fort Lewis College where she was an active student on campus and with student life. Adrianna joined the American Indian College Fund as a College Success Coach in August 2022 and has transitioned to starting with the College Access team to help promote college access to Native students across Indian Country. With a deep-rooted passion for education, her personal and professional experiences help to connect with communities to create pathways to uplift and empower future generations of Indigenous students.

Brittany Tabor (Diné)

Program Administrator, College Readiness
American Indian College Fund

Brittany Tabor is the Program Administrator for College Access at the College Fund. Born and raised on the Navajo Nation from the community of Sawmill, she is of the Bitter Water People, born for the Black American People, her maternal grandfather is of the Meadows People and paternal grandfather of the Black American People. With over ten years of experience in college access and higher education, Brittany served as an advisor at the University of New Mexico through the TRIO Student Support Services program. Using holistic advising practices, she supported first-year students as they adjusted to college life, offering guidance on both academic and social challenges. Brittany believes that building a strong relationship with a college advisor is a key factor in student success, both during the first year and beyond.

Deanna Rainbow

Interim Vice President of Student Services
Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College

Deanna Rainbow is the Interim Vice President of Student Services at Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, where we lead initiatives designed to promote student success, inclusion, and engagement across our campus. With passion for fostering a diverse and equitable learning environment for all students. A key part of our work involves championing diverse initiatives that support student success from Tribal Colleges and Universities. Collaboration between local and national organizations ensures that our students receive resources, mentorships, and academic support they need to thrive. Deanna’s approach combines cultural awareness, student-centered perspective and advocacy for change within higher education. With the background of Social Work, Deanna has worked in various roles across higher education that bridge student services, diversity, advocacy, inclusion, and community work. Passionate about advocating for students, Deanna works timelessly to ensure that every student has resources, guidance, and opportunities they need to succeed academically and personally.

Jack Soto (Diné | Cocopah)

Independent Consultant
Organizational Development and Experiential Education
Soto Consultants

Jack is Navajo of the Black-Streaked-Wood People (Tsi’naajinii) and Cocopah of the Mountain Lion Clan. He received his M.S. in Organizational Development and B.A. in Political Science in the School of Public Affairs at American University. He recently served as the Sr. Program Manager for Career Readiness and Employment at the American Indian College Fund. In that work, he worked with Tribal Colleges and Universities to develop a more synthesized, culturally grounded approach to career advising to impact the lives of their students and communities.

Kelley Willie-Olivarez (Diné)

Student Success and Retention Coordinator
Arizona State University

Kelley Willie-Olivarez is a Student Success and Retention Coordinator with American Indian Student Support Services at Arizona State University. A proud Diné from the Navajo Nation, Kelley brings over seven years of experience in higher education, with a strong commitment to supporting Indigenous students in their academic journeys and fostering inclusive learning environments.

Kenwani Kravitz (Madesi Band of the Pit River Nation | descendant of the Northern Wintu people)

Native Nations Liaison
Southern Oregon University

Mrs. Kenwani Kravitz is a citizen of the Madesi Band of the Pit River Nation and a descendant of the Northern Wintu people. She is a culture bearer, tribal advocate, and Native scholar, and has previously served as an ambassador for the American Indian College Fund.

Mrs. Kravitz holds a Master of Legal Studies with a specialization in Federal Indian Law and Tribal Self-Governance from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Native Studies Leadership from Northwest Indian College.

In her professional capacity, Mrs. Kravitz serves as the Native Nations Liaison for Southern Oregon University. Her role encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, including leading the university’s government-to-government tribal relations and providing expert guidance on policies and issues affecting Native students and tribal communities.

Additionally, she is instrumental in implementing initiatives, efforts, and programs aimed at enhancing Native student retention, recruitment, and success. Having personally navigated the higher education system, Mrs. Kravitz possesses a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Native students in academia.

Dr. Koreen Ressler

Vice President of Operations
Sitting Bull College

Dr. Koreen Ressler is the current Vice President of Operations at Sitting Bull College, Fort Yates, ND. She began her employment with Sitting Bull College in January 1996, and has held various administrative positions during her tenure. Prior to coming to Sitting Bull College, Dr. Ressler began her career of 43 years within the Tribal Colleges & Universities system at Fort Berthold Community College, New Town, ND in 1982.

During her employment with the tribal colleges she has served as a chairperson and active member of various committees. These include curriculum development, student life, faculty development, assessment, finance, facilities, strategic planning, governance and the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC) Steering Committee. Dr. Ressler is a member of the peer corps for HLC, and serves on the Institutional Action Council and as a team chair. She is a member of the planning committee for the Tribal Colleges & Universities Student Services and Academics annual summer conference. She also serves as a consultant evaluator for a number of Tribal Colleges Career & Technical Education, Title III, and National Science Foundation grants.

Lara No Braid (Arikara, Hidatsa, Oglala | Fort Berthold)

College Success Coach
American Indian College Fund

Lara No Braid is an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes from the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. Lara is from Wanka #12 on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. She started her college journey at the Oglala Lakota College Center in Kyle and transferred, then graduated from Black Hills State University in 2023 with her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. During her time at BHSU, Lara participated in and successfully completed her Study Abroad Program through her University in the fall of 2019 at KonKuk University in Seoul, South Korea. She now works at the American Indian College Fund, working with Indigenous students around Turtle Island.

Penny Harris (Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation)

Student Success and Retention Coordinator
American Indian Student Support Services
Arizona State University

Penny Harris is a member of the Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation and serves as the Student Success and Retention Coordinator at American Indian Student Support Services at ASU. She brings expertise in social work, case management, research, and advocacy, with a deep commitment to supporting Indigenous student achievement and well-being.

Shawn Bitsui (Diné | Helms from NM)

College Success Coach
American Indian College Fund

Shawn Bitsui is a member of the Diné tribe and helms from New Mexico. In his native tongue, He is of the Red Bottom People and born for the Salt People.

Prior to the American Indian College Fund, Mr. Bitsui has worked for non-profits assisting youth in his local communities and while in school he focused on supporting students at an academic setting. From there his experience evolved to assisting Indian Country in consultation efforts to managing support and policy programs through compliance, technical training, and research initiatives. More recently his work has involved creating and drafting public health related campaigns, spreading awareness on Indigenous focus efforts and managing a cohort of scholarship programs and coaching scholars.

He graduated with his B.A. in Business and Wellness Foundations from Arizona State University. He then completed his Master of Business Administration degree in the Professional Flex Program at W.P. Carey School of Business at ASU.

Shoshaunee Perez (Descendant of the Tulalip and Tlingit and Haida peoples)

Shoshaunee “Sho” Perez is a descendant of the Tulalip and Tlingit and Haida peoples and became an American Indian College Fund Student Ambassador in 2019. She is an alumnus of Northwest Indian College and received a Bachelor of Arts- Community Advocates and Responsive Education in Human Services (CARE) and Associate of Arts and Sciences- General Direct Transfer Degree. Shoshaunee recently received her Master of Education with a focus in Adult Education from Eastern Washington University in June 2023. She loves helping to support students in finding their own passion and goals.