Native American Student Support Services
Program Objectives
The goals of the Native American Academic Support Services program at the
University of Massachusetts are to provide an academically and culturally
enriched environment for the Native American students through the following
resources:
· Mentoring · Personal Counseling · Connections with indigenous communities and organizationsThe program was
conceived by Native American students and other members of the campus
community to provide culturally informed academic support.
Native
American undergraduate students learn about majors, register for classes, and
plan for a successful course of study with an advisor. This circle of
support will continue throughout the student's career at UMass and will take
many forms:
· Tutoring services · Housing information · Financial Aid
assistance · Student advocacy on and off campus ·
Graduate school information and adviceAs a critical point in the circle,
Native American students may seek cultural, spiritual and emotional support
from our developing Elders Council, a group of community members with a wealth
of experience to share.
Continuing the Circle Other Native
American Resources at the University
The Josephine White
Eagle Cultural Center provides a warm and welcoming gathering place for
Native American students, staff, and faculty at the university. Native Americans
from Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College
and the surrounding indigenous community also use the center. Students help
organize the annual powwow, plan social events, prepare and share meals, and
participate in cultural events and activities. The center includes a computer
lab and Native American resource library, providing books, magazines, newspapers
and videos.
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society
(AISES) provides opportunities for American Indian and Alaskan Natives to pursue
studies in the fields of science, engineering, business, and other academic
areas. As part of a national organization it assists students in travelling to
regional and national conferences where networking with other Native American
students helping them to obtain career goals and develop professional
relationships.
The Native American Students Association (NASA) is
a student run organization, which allows students to plan events and programming
around the issues of cultural identity, awareness and unity. NASA sponsors on
and off campus events as well as working with native faculty and staff to
provide campus wide education about indigenous people in North and South
America. It also serves as a medium for the students to hone their leadership
skills as well as learning to work together as part of a pan-Indian
community.
The Native American Special Interest Residential Program:Kanonhsehsne
is a community of Alaskan Native, Native American, Hawaiian, and some
allies, living together on the second floor of the Chadbourne residence hall.
This residential environment fosters academic excellence by providing a place
for Native American students to affirm their identities, and learn about their
heritage and the diverse nations of all indigenous peoples of the Americas. For
more information call the residential cluster office at (413) 545-4215.
Expanding the Circle About the Undergraduate Certificate Program in Native American Indian
Studies
The certificate program in Native American Indian
studies offers students a structured understanding of historical and
contemporary issues affecting the Western Hemisphere's First Nations. Students
will learn how these issues are embedded in the long histories of Native peoples
and their most recent interactions with Europeans and Africans. Students will
also develop a greater appreciation for the indigenous peoples of Eastern North
America. The program will encourage on-campus roles for visitors from Native
communities, supervise some students' outreaches to Native communities, and
enhance the knowledge of students on to post-baccalaureate study and
service.
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