Scholarship and Practice to Support Indigenous Students: An ASHE Institute with the American Indian College Fund

Thank you to our event partners

Leadership

The project is being led by Project Chair(s), Natalie Youngbull (University of Oklahoma) and Roberto C. Orozco (University of Minnesota–Twin Cities) and ASHE Executive Director Jason Guilbeau.

About the Institute

Building upon the tremendous success of the Institute in 2021 in Puerto Rico, 2022 in Las Vegas, and 2024 in Minneapolis, the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) is once again seeking to engage with higher education leaders in our 2025 conference location, Denver. For this year’s conference, we are partnering with the American Indian College Fund, which has its headquarters in Denver.

While our 2021 and 2022 projects focused on a final report, in 2024, we re-focused on building reciprocal relationships with higher education leaders rather than on an outcome. This was tremendously successful and impactful. During the webinar we hosted in May 2025 recapping the project (see: https://www.ashe.ws/minnesota-institute), one institutional leader shared that this project was one of the most meaningful that she had ever participated in due to the focus on mutual, beneficial exchange of knowledge and the decentralization of power, especially scholarly expertise. 

We will once again align key areas of this project with one or more key strategies of Ascendium:

1. The Institute will focus on expanding opportunity through postsecondary education by addressing the persistent barriers Indigenous students face in accessing and completing higher education. By centering Indigenous knowledge systems, cultural identity, and community engagement, we aim to foster environments where Indigenous students are not only supported but can thrive. This work reflects a shared commitment to advancing equity, closing achievement gaps, and ensuring all learners—especially those historically underserved—have meaningful opportunities for success.
2. The Institute will focus on supporting learner success by identifying and discussing culturally sustaining strategies that promote retention, belonging, and achievement for Indigenous students. Recognizing that traditional support structures often overlook the unique experiences of Indigenous learners, our project centers community-driven solutions that foster holistic well-being and academic persistence. 
3. The Institute will focus on connecting and aligning systems by connecting ASHE members, Tribal College and University leaders, and staff from the American Indian College Fund. Too often, these groups operate in silos that fail to meet the cultural and structural needs of Indigenous students; the Institute aims to facilitate collaboration rooted in equity and respect for Tribal sovereignty. 

The Institute aims to bridge connections among attendees, expand access to higher education, and support college students’ success. The outcomes of the Institute will occur in three phases:

1. Part One: Relationships. The first part of the project will identify ASHE members who have scholarly expertise and interest in expanding opportunity, supporting learner success, and connecting and aligning systems to support Indigenous Students. Once identified, team members will attend an introductory virtual meeting in October to connect, learn more about the Institute, and understand expectations.
   
   
2. Part Two: Institute. Part Two will be at the ASHE 2025 General Conference, where a half-day session will be held at the American Indian College Fund office in Denver. The day will focus on building sustainable relationships amongst participants, learning about the programs and services of the American Indian College Fund, and understanding how research and practice can connect to support Indigenous students.
   
   
3. Part Three: Sharing. ASHE will coordinate a webinar in early 2026 to share lessons learned from the Institute. 

Call For Participants