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
Where Do You Find Internships?
Believe it or not, in today’s tech era, finding an internship does not start with your computer. There are many other sources that are more useful for gathering information about an internship that you will find enjoyable than searching online. A few of those places are listed below and, to some extent, may help you find an internship you will enjoy while decreasing the stress involved with leaving home.
Why You Need an Internship
Internships are important help to students developing professionalism and an understanding of how to work in a professional environment. After having worked with Native student interns over the years in a professional capacity, I am sharing the following important insights for Native students when considering the importance of adding an internship to their college experience.
What a Treat to See Scholars Receive Awards
As a staff member with the College Fund, I had the honor to attend the spring Scholarship Awards Night at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) to witness 260 students moving one step closer towards their educational goals. The event awarded 534 College Fund scholarships to 260 students totaling $519,906.
Student Blogger: “Remin-icing or Reality?”
Author’s Note: This throwback tale is a testament of how things have changed and how they have stayed the same. Reminiscing reminds me to find humor every day. College life as a mom of twins doesn’t slow down, in fact it’s much like a tornado. So even when the twins, now in their terrible twos, hit hard, I am the foundation that this home is built on. Memories such as the story that follows provide reassurance.