Student Ambassadors
Be a student leader and serve your community.
Student Ambassador Program
The American Indian College Fund Ambassador Program was established in 2015 to strengthen students’ and alumni personal and professional skills and to represent the College Fund.
Ambassador Program Details
The American Indian College Fund Ambassador Program was established in 2015 to create a mutually supportive relationship between the College Fund and selected scholarship recipients to serve as ambassadors and enhance professional skills. Program elements are designed to strengthen personal and professional voice and skills through active representation and reflection of the mission of the College Fund. Ambassadors use their voice to promote the College Fund to the general public and share their story of being an Indigenous scholar.
The program, as a form of practicum, aims to create knowledgeable College Fund community representatives to aid in public facing promotion, peer-to-peer resource sharing, and promote College Fund initiatives like scholarships both on-and-off Tribal College and University campuses. This program also aims to provide a pool of speakers and/or participants for College Fund educational and fundraising events across the country. It is a further intent that the training and representation of the College Fund at on- and off- campus events expands access to personal, professional, and academic opportunities. In this program, scholars can expect to build bonds with other Indigenous scholars and network through relationships at the College Fund.
Currently, there are 10 cohorts of scholars since the program’s inaugural 2015-2016 cohort. Over 100 Ambassadors have shared the story of their academic journey and how the American Indian College Fund has played a role in supporting them. Much like how for our scholars there are many ways to be knowledgeable, there are also many ways to be a College Fund Ambassador.
Read more about our Ambassadors Robin and Joaquin on the College Fund blog.
Hear from Past Ambassadors
Amanda Ruiz
Amanda Ruiz, 2020-2021 Ambassador cohort, lends her story to attendees of the 5th annual Summer of Success conference. She shares her dedication to her education and the perseverance needed to be a leader in her family and community. Her use of personal story to encourage Native American scholars are a vital part of her co-Keynote address.
Nessa Ankney
Nessa Ankney, 2023-2024 Ambassador cohort, was co-Keynote at the 5th annual Summer of Success conference in May 2024. She is open and sincere about her academic journey story while encouraging Native American scholars to be true to themselves. Her experience with utilizing resources and opportunities to continue her education is a must listen for any scholar.
American Indian College Fund Student Ambassadors 2024-2025 Cohort
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- 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.
Student Blogs and Updates
Career Advice — How to Develop a Career Plan
Work is part of life. A career is a more substantial way of thinking about your employment path. That is not to say your early jobs working at a fast food restaurant or a convenient store will not play out into your future plans, but if you make conscious choices about next steps you may be more aware of what you are learning while at them. And, if you take the time to think more intentionally about your career and work, you are more likely to enjoy it.
2017-19 Native Pathways to College Bridge Program Grantees
In the spring of 2017, the College Fund awarded four tribal college and university grantees $50,000 each for two consecutive years to implement a year-round program to increase the college readiness and college-going-environments for American Indian and Alaska Native high school sophomores, juniors and seniors preparing for a higher education.
Money Management — Making Common Cents
When tasked with the responsibility of clothing and feeding family, paying bills, keeping the car fueled and running, and paying for an education, you may feel overwhelmed. You are not alone. Understanding credit and debt management allows you to make fiscally responsible decisions. Financial literacy ranges from understanding how a checking account works to understanding your credit score.
Student Success — Managing Your Time as Student
Failing to manage your time effectively can lead to stress, which is detrimental to your health and the well-being of those around you. By using effective time management to balance work, school, and family life, you will be better equipped for the road ahead as a student and beyond.