Outreach and Special Programs
Our Land Acknowledgment
The Fresno State campus sits in the midst of the San Joaquin Valley, a valley rich in the traditions and representation of Native American peoples and cultures. We are grateful to be in the traditional homelands of the Yokuts and Mono peoples, whose diverse tribal communities share stewardship over this land. Created by: Dr. Leece Lee-Oliver
Amber Esquivel, Outreach Counselor - Native American Initiative
Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians
The Native American Initiative has been established to increase the number of Native American students enrolling and graduating at Fresno State.
The following are essential components of the initiative:
- Reach out to Native American students through partnerships and collaborations with Rancherias, school districts, and tribal agencies serving Native American students.
- Develop and maintain support networks within the university and the Native American community.
- Create a place that fosters a welcoming and supportive environment where students feel they have a home away from home. It is a place for studying, programming, faculty, staff, student meetings, social engagement, and student community building.
- Promote and support events that bring Native American students and community to the campus.
- Provide student academic monitoring and advisement that includes an “early warning” system.
- Connect students with mentors (faculty, staff, and alumni)
Mission
Vision
Outreach NAI Linktree
Campus Tour Schedule
Spring 2022: February 1st - May 13th
- Tours not offered on these dates: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 17), President's Day (Feb. 21), Cesar Chavez Day (March 31), Finals Week (May 16-20)
- Tours not offered on these dates: Memorial Day (May 30), Independence (July 4)
- Tours not offered on these dates: Labor Day (Sept. 5), Veterans Day (Nov. 11), Thanksgiving Break (Nov. 23-25), Finals Week (Dec. 12-16)
- Additional tours not offered on these dates: Oct. 5-7 and 13-14, Nov. 3-4
- Tours not offered on these dates: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 16), President's Day (Feb. 20), Cesar Chavez Day (March 31), Finals Week (May 15-19)
- Additional tours not offered on these dates: Jan. 24-27
Wi’áaşal (Great Oak) Future Leaders Scholarship Fund
- Enrolled in a certificate, associate or bachelor's degree program at an accredited, nonprofit college or university
- Full-time enrollment
- Registered as an enrolled member of an eligible California tribe
The Indian Boarding School Healing Scholarship & Fellowship Program
- Who: Tribally enrolled descendants of U.S. boarding school survivors who submit an
essay with their relative's story.
- Graduate and undergraduate students enrolled at accredited institutions.
- Terms: One time funding paid directly to the instiution through a partnership with the American Indian College Fund to be used for tuition, books, fees, etc.
- Annual Timeline:
- March/April - Annoucement
- May 31 - Deadline
- August - Award
American Indian College Fund
Contact info: scholarships@collegefund.org | 800.776.3863
Catching the Dream
Deadline to apply is April 30th for the fall semester.
Contact: nscholarsh@aol.com | 505.262.2351
Native American Youth Conference
The Native American Youth Conference (NAYC) is hosted under the department of Outreach
and Special Programs at Fresno State. The one-day conference has a target audience of
6th - 12th grade Native American students from all school districts. Our goal is to
provide an opportunity for future students to explore the pathways towards higher
education by participating in workshops covering application admissions information,
financial aid and scholarships, A-G requirements, pathways towards higher education,
student services, and resources. Along with hearing from a special keynote speaker,
cultural and higher education presentations. There is no registration fee and lunch
is provided for all registered youth including a free conference t-shirt.
To receive the latest information about conference updates subscribe to the Outreach
NAI E-Newsletter (#5) and check out the conference homepage.
Request to meet with Amber
You can now submit a request to meet with Amber online or by phone appointment. Amber can help you review your CSU college requirements to attend Fresno State, discuss the pathways towards higher education, college preparation, and answer any of your questions.
Make an Appointment
Outreach NAI E-Newsletter
The purpose of this newsletter is to share educational information and updates with K-12 students, transfer students, parents, educators, and those who serve our Native American community. Subscribe to the monthly newsletter to receive a new issue at the beginning of each month that’ll include updates and other important information on student reminders, early outreach college readiness, scholarships, and community events.
Subscribe!Neum Native American Student Association (NASA)
Neum NASA is a student organization open to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. They sponsor activities and host events to help raise awareness for a better understanding of the Native American community by promoting mutual respect among all people. Formerly First Nations, the club started in 1969 as the Tewaquachi American Indian Club. In 1983, Tewaquachi sponsored the first annual American Indian Heritage Week and Fresno State Pow Wow. These events helped promote Fresno as a focal point in the San Joaquin Valley for Native American people to unite and work together uplifting the culture and welfare of the Native American students and community. Today, the Native American Student Association carries on the tradition of hosting the annual Fresno State Pow Wow on our campus and actively seeks to raise the social consciousness by creating an environment of awareness and understanding of all Native American people.
