Grand Canyon Times

Northern Arizona University has announced that members of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes can receive full tuition coverage through the Access2Excellence initiative.

“At NAU, we pride ourselves on our service to Native American students and the communities they represent,” NAU President Jose Luis Cruze Rivera said in a release from the university. “Extending A2E eligibility for our Arizona tribal members is an important step as we plant seeds for the success of future generations of Native American students at NAU."

The school announced Nov. 14 that the Access2Excellence initiative would expand to provide full tuition coverage for members of Arizona’s recognized tribes with a family income of $65,000 per year or less, and transfer students regardless of income.

NAU is among the nationwide leaders in bachelor's degrees granted to indigenous people, including No. 1 in public health, hospitality and education, the release said.

“Last year on Indigenous Peoples Day, President Cruz Rivera announced a redoubling of our efforts to better partner with and serve Indigenous communities in Arizona by expanding access to Native American students and supporting their success,” said Ann Marie Chischilly, Vice President for Native American Initiatives. “Today’s announcement follows through on that commitment. I am honored that NAU is so focused on advancing our work as an Indigenous serving institution for the betterment of the native nations of Arizona and beyond."

Lena Fowler, chair of NAU’s Native American Advisory Board, said the expansion of the program will open doors for many students.

“Many Native American students chose to join the workforce because the cost of attending college is just too expensive,” Fowler said. “With NAU extending its Access to Excellence (A2E) program to Arizona’s 22 federally recognized Native American Tribes, this gives our Native American students the opportunity to pursue their dream of earning a higher education at NAU.”

LuAnn Leonard, Hopi-Tohono O’odham, a member of the NAU Native American Advisory Board and a former member of the Arizona Board of Regents, said the A2E program should inspire students from every tribe.

“I’m pleased to hear that NAU is extending the Access to Excellence program to members of all 22 federally recognized Native American Tribes in Arizona," she said. “This strategic commitment will enable and encourage more Hopi students as well as other Arizona tribal students to earn their college degree at NAU and use their skills to strengthen our Native communities.”

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, himself an alumnus of NAU, said the program should be all the encouragement a tribal student needs to go to college.

“On the Navajo Nation, thousands of students graduate from high school each year. For many, going to college is not affordable,” Nez said. “With NAU extending its Access to Excellence program to Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribal nations, Navajo students will be encouraged to know that they can go to NAU without having to worry about how they will pay for tuition.”