Instructional Leadership, emphasis: K-12 School Leadership (MEd)
Student pointing at a white board.
  1. NAU
  2. CHHS
  3. Native Journey to Academic Success (NJAcS)

Native Journey to Academic Success (NJAcS)

If you’re a Native American healthcare student at NAU, there are many ways for you to find the community and support systems you need. In addition to resources available at the Native American Cultural Center, you can get support within CHHS through the NJAcS program.

NJAcS offers academic support and tutoring, cultural connections, emergency food and gas vouchers, and more. To learn more, contact the faculty advisor for your area.

NJAcS support resources

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Campus support

  • Faculty mentoring
  • Peer tutoring
  • Study groups
  • Subsistence vouchers

N A U hosts a variety of cultural activities throughout the year both on and off campus.

Cultural activities

  • Welcome Back Gathering and Cultural Blessing
  • Elder storytelling
  • Cultural presentations

Student lifting weights.

Recruitment

  • Dream Catcher middle school mentoring
  • Dream Catcher middle school career shadowing

NJAcS program goals

  • Retain Native American students enrolled in CHHS programs by creating an environment that supports the cultural, social, and academic needs of Native American students.
  • Provide cultural awareness training for NAU faculty, staff, and students.
  • Attract Native American students to CHHS health professions programs by encouraging Native American alumni and current students to visit middle and high schools.

Find your mentor

Athletic Training

Glenn Edgerton

Communication Sciences and Disorders

Kristan Culbertson

Davis Henderson

Dental Hygiene

Heather Thomas

Health Sciences

Sara Shuman

Occupational Therapy

Amy Armstrong-Heimsoth

Nursing

Adrien Gupton

Regina Eddie

Physical Therapy

Andrea Lerner

Physician Assistant

Native American Initiatives

Inclusivity, representation, and equity are core pillars of Northern Arizona University’s promise to our community. In providing cultural support resources to Native American students, we equip you to grow your career and serve your community in ways that are meaningful to you.

Dental student performs x-ray on a patient.

Office of Native American Initiatives

ONAI supports the university’s goal of becoming the nation’s leading university serving Native Americans.

The NJAcS program functions through a grant from the John and Sophie Ottens Foundation, which has supported the health and well-being of Native Americans, including educational programs and initiatives for Native American students, for the past eighteen years.