Pueblo Indian program expands to include master's students

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is keeping the faith when it comes to supporting an ASU Native American program: It has just committed to another three-year investment in future leaders that will ultimately enhance the lives of thousands of Pueblo people.

On the heels of ASU graduating its first cohort in May, the ASU Pueblo Indian Doctoral Program received a new vote of confidence from its main benefactor to the tune of $600,000, which would enable up to a dozen Native American leaders to obtain graduate degrees in Justice and Social Inquiry.

The new grant will expand the cohort to include master’s students and focus exclusively on Indigenous children and families, education, health and research. It will now be called the Pueblo Master's and Doctoral Cohort Program.

“The opportunity to continue our relationship with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Leadership Institute at the Santa Fe Indian School in preparing indigenous master's and doctoral students is thrilling,” said Bryan McKinley Jones Brayboy, President’s Professor, director of the Center of Indian Education and ASU’s special adviser to the president on American Indian Affairs.

“Our work is about engaging with indigenous nations and communities – through their citizens and leaders – to assist in transforming communities in ways envisioned by the communities, their people and their leaders. It is an honor to be able to do this important work, and ASU is excited, well situated, and prepared to do the work. We are looking forward to continuing this partnership.”

Conducted in partnership with ASU’s School of Social Transformation and the Leadership Institute at the Santa Fe Indian School, which is under the leadership of 19 Pueblos of New Mexico, the program facilitates the training of practitioner-researcher-scholars within Pueblo communities.

“The population focus will remain the same because these are the same people who historically have not had access to graduate education,” said Elizabeth Sumida Huaman, assistant professor of Indigenous education and a senior researcher with the Leadership Institute. “They’re also students who have not had the opportunity to graduate or receive training because of their commitments to staying close to home.”

The program offers full support for tuition, fees, books and program-related travel and expenses. Participation in this program requires a full two-year commitment for the master’s degree, and a full three-year commitment for the PhD degree, including all summers. Cohort members participate in an average of two or more courses per semester, and the program includes video conferencing, faculty lectures on site in New Mexico and Arizona, and required faculty advisement sessions.

Prospective students who demonstrate a strong record of proven commitment to the Pueblo Indian nations are encouraged to apply for the 2015 fall cohort. Deadline for full applications is Friday, July 10. Complete the regular application online at graduate.asu.edu/admissions.

The Pueblo Master’s and Doctoral Cohort Program also receives support from ASU’s School of Social Transformation in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Santa Fe Community Foundation, the Chamiza Foundation and the McCune Foundation.