American Indian College Fund Welcomes 2024-25 Student Ambassador Cohort

Student Scholars Begin Their Year with Leadership Training

August 20, 2024, Denver, Colo.— Nine Indigenous students from across Indian Country were selected to serve as the American Indian College Fund’s (College Fund) 2024-25 student ambassadors. Student ambassadors gain valuable leadership and communications skills while working to create greater visibility of American Indians and Alaska Natives and an understanding of the importance of their cultures.

By supporting Native students and tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), the College Fund helps future Native leaders reach their full potential. College Fund student ambassadors represent the College Fund and their institutions in media interviews, at cultural events, in their communities, and on their campuses.

Student ambassadors attend a multi-day program hosted by the College Fund to prepare for this role. Held in Denver, Colorado, the program includes in-person workshops on leadership development, public speaking, interviews, writing, and social media so ambassadors can confidently speak on issues impacting Native communities.

The 2024-25 American Indian College Fund Student Ambassadors include:

• • Annalise Guthrie (Cherokee Nation), Haskell Indian Nations University 2020, University of Kansas 2025.
  • Bridget Hoshont’omba (The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), Nebraska Indian Community College 2025.
  • Cherish GrassRope (Lower Brule Sioux Tribe of the Lower Brule Reservation), Salish Kootenai College 2024, Gonzaga University 2026.
  • Deanna Teller (Navajo Nation), Haskell Indian Nation University 2025.
  • Elizabeth Crumm (Wichita and Affiliated Tribes [Wichita, Keechi, Waco, and Tawakonie]), Kansas State University 2025.
  • Krista Goodluck (Navajo Nation), Navajo Technical University 2024.
  • Lisa Aimsback (Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana), Blackfeet Community College 2025.
  • Promise Lensing (Santee Sioux Nation), Sinte Gleska University 2025.
  • Tasheena Egan (Navajo Nation), Tohono O’odham Community College 2024, University of Nevada-Reno 2026.

About the American Indian College Fund— The American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for 34 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided $17.4 million in scholarships and other direct student support to American Indian students in 2022-23. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $319 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of academic and support programs at the nation’s 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators and is one of the nation’s top 100 charities named to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit www.collegefund.org.

Photo: The 2024-25 American Indian College Fund Student Ambassador cohort.

Journalists—The American Indian College Fund does not use the acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College Fund.