Student Advocacy and Generational Empowerment (S.A.G.E)

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Program Mission

The Native Student Advocate provides culturally grounded, relationship-based support, services, and resources to Native students attending Tribal Colleges and Universities and mainstream colleges and universities nationwide, with a focus on Academic, Social, Financial, Cultural, and Wellness needs.

Program Vision

S.A.G.E. envisions Native students recognizing the strength, knowledge, culture, identity, and experiences from generations passed down through generations, empowered to learn from both the strengths and hardships of the past, choose what they carry forward, and shape what they pass on to generations to come.

“You come from generations who kept getting back up.
Every time you rise, you remind them that you are still here.”

5-Point Student Success Framework

The 5-Point Student Success Framework helps us understand Native students and their experiences through five interconnected areas:
Academic, Social, Cultural, Financial, and Wellness.

It is based on the idea that student success is not driven by one single point, but by how these areas interact and affect one another. Although, at times, these points can require individual attention depending on the nature of the student’s situation. The framework helps distinguish when a challenge is rooted in one specific point versus when it impacts or spills over into multiple points, allowing for targeted and holistic responses. The framework serves as an umbrella that keeps services and support consistently structured within the five points of academic, social, financial, cultural, and wellness-related challenges.

The framework asks two important questions:
What area is the student experiencing a challenge?
Is that challenge affecting other areas of the student’s experience?

Defining These Five Areas of Success

Academic

Academic experiences relate to a student’s ability to navigate, participate in, and succeed within higher education.

Academic Success Includes:

Performance & Grades
Study Skills & Learning Strategies
College Readiness
Retention & Persistence Skills
Time Management
Scheduling & Course Planning
Institutional Navigating
Understanding Institutional Processes

Social

The relationships, environments, and connections that influence a student’s sense of belonging and community.

Social Success Includes:

Events
Peer Relations
Networking
Native & Non-Native Connections
On & Off-Campus Community
Classroom Environments
Supportive Relationships
Maintaining Relationships

Cultural

The ways in which identity, culture, community, and traditional ways of life intersect with the college experience.

Cultural Success Includes:

Native Identity
Cultural Expression
Ceremonial & Spiritual Practices
Representation
Freedom Of Religion And Expression
Family & Tribal Connections
Connection To Surrounding Native Community

Financial

The financial circumstances and basic needs that can affect a student’s ability to attend, remain enrolled, and succeed in college.

Financial Success Includes:

Financial Stability
The Trauma Of Money
Tuition & Education Expenses
Housing & Food Security
Transportation
Accidents
Employment & Income
Financial Literacy & Planning
Other Basic Needs

Wellness

The physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and overall well-being of a student.

Wellness Success Includes:

Mental & Emotional Health
Stress & Burnout
Anxiety & Other Emotional Challenges
Access To Wellness & Health Services
Rest To Work Life Balance

“Support is a shared effort. We can provide resources, guidance, connection, while students showcase their own empowerment, strengths, goals, voice, and choices.”