As one of the top 5 American colleges that support Indigenous students and communities, NAU provides a supportive environment for Indigenous students that enhances academic, social, and cultural experiences.
928-523-9557
NAU-CNAIF@nau.eduBuild community at Northern Arizona University
Comprehensive support programs include tutoring, mentorships, cultural events, and safe spaces for students to gather and build community. Whether you study in Flagstaff, at one of more than 20 locations across Arizona, or online, NAU’s renowned academic programs are designed to be accessible and affordable. At NAU, we want to help you achieve your dreams and strengthen the future for yourself, your family, and your community.
Valuing Indigenous voices and curricula
NAU introduces the Seven Generations Signature Initiative (7GSI) empowering Indigenous Peoples Open Educational Resources (OER) development; Faculty recruitment and development focused on the scholarship of Indigenous Peoples, and the Seven Generations Indigenous Knowledge Center (7Gen Center).
Access2Excellence
NAU’s new Access2Excellence (A2E) program guarantees tuition coverage for undergraduate first-year and transfer students who are members of one of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized Tribes and attend NAU’s Flagstaff and Statewide campuses.
General Studies program
A foundational requirement for NAU’s new General Studies program, which will begin in fall 2025, is an Indigenous Peoples course.
Indigenous People’s Living-Learning Community
Find a sense of belonging in the new Indigenous People’s Living-Learning Community, where students live and build community through shared activities.
Arizona Attainment Alliance program
NAU is collaborating with community colleges across Arizona to expand access to and success in higher education with the new Arizona Attainment Alliance (A++) program.
How to transfer
Transfer to NAU! As a transfer student who is also a member of one of Arizona’s 22 federally recognized Tribes, your tuition is covered through the A2E program.
Related resources and programs
With the dedicated assistance of the NAU community, you will find the security and opportunity to realize your vision for a bright future. Make NAU your home away from home.
Degree and certificate programs
Bachelor of Science in Nursing at NAU–American Indian program
This unique reservation-based program trains students to provide healing and join an in-demand profession. Learn more about the Nursing at NAU–American Indian program.
Applied Indigenous Studies
Prepare for a rewarding career working with and for Tribal nations. Learn more about Applied Indigenous Studies.
Academic and student support
Equal Partners in Inclusive Community
Students and alumni are invited to join the Equal Partners in Inclusive Community (EPIC) club within the College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences. Members enjoy professional development, mentoring, a speaker series, and more.
Indigenous student success abroad
Learn where and how to study abroad to share your culture and learn from others.
Minority Access to Research Careers—Undergraduate Student Training for Academic Research Program
Qualified junior and senior minority students will undertake biomedical research under the supervision of faculty mentors. The program helps prepare students to apply to PhD and MD/PhD programs.
Native Journey to Academic Success
This program for prospective or enrolled Native American students in the College of Health and Human Services provides one-on-one mentoring, advising, and access to resources, including academic support, tutoring, and emergency food and gas vouchers. Learn more about the Native Journey to Academic Success program.
Office of Indigenous Student Success
Through the Office of Indigenous Student Success (OISS), students can access mentoring, peer support, resources on and off campus, and cultural events and activities.
Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement (ONAIA)
The Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement (ONAIA) manages five programs that strive to support NAU’s goal to become the leading university serving Native Americans: Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF), Institute for Native-serving Educators, Tribal Leadership Initiative, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, and the Development program.
OISS—Indige-Bridge to Success Program
Indigenous first-year students are invited to arrive on campus early and receive support in making the transition to college. Learn more about the OISS—Indige-Bridge to Success Program.
Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement
The Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) program provides culturally relevant support, hands-on research experiences, and a tailored curriculum to increase the number of underrepresented undergraduates who successfully proceed to a master’s degree and master’s degree students who progress to the doctoral level.
Seven Generation Money Management
The Seven Generation Money Management (7G MM) program is a hands-on financial literacy game targeted toward Native American youth to increase their money management skills and give them a basic understanding of investing, opening a bank account, purchasing a car, renting an apartment, buying a house, and other life skills.
Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
The Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) is a national organization dedicated to increasing diversity in STEM research. Club members coordinate research and learning opportunities across campus, share mentorship and career development skills, and attend the annual National Diversity in STEM Conference. Learn more about NAU’s SACNAS program.
Southwest Native Lands Semester
Students participate in a 13-credit semester incorporating math, science, and social sciences while learning about issues affecting Southwestern tribes. The curricula include several field trips and a San Juan River trip. Learn more about the Southwest Native Lands Semester program.
High school and college prep
Bridges to Baccalaureate Program
A partnership between NAU and Coconino Community College, Bridges provides tuition, a stipend, a research internship, and more to develop a diverse pool of research-oriented undergraduates who bridge from CCC and complete bachelor’s degrees in STEM fields at NAU.
Earn to Learn
Earn to Learn helps limited-income Arizonans save for college by providing an 8-to-1 match up to $4,000 on their savings for tuition costs at one of Arizona’s three state universities.
Educational Talent Search Program
The Educational Talent Search (ETS) program is a federally funded program that strives to improve opportunities for middle and high school students to excel academically, emotionally, socially, and culturally. Students are prepared to enter college and get help applying for scholarships and financial planning.
Indigenous Summer Enhancement Program
Indigenous Summer Enhancement is a two-week program for Native American high school students that introduces them to careers in public health research and service learning in local communities.
Indigenous Youth Media Workshop
The Indigenous Youth Media Workshop encourages Native American and other high school students to work together to tell the stories that are important to them and their communities.
Nizhoni Academy
The Nizhoni Academy is a pre-college program that prepares Native American High School students to become successful college students. The six-week program is held on the Flagstaff campus.
Student-to-Student Connections Shadowing Program
In the Student-to-Student Connections Shadowing Program, high school students spend a day shadowing current social sciences majors and learning about college life.
Seven Generation Money Management
The Seven Generation Money Management (7G MM) program is a hands-on financial literacy game targeted toward Native American youth to increase their money management skills and give them a basic understanding of investing, opening a bank account, purchasing a car, renting an apartment, buying a house, and other life skills.
Upward Bound
Upward Bound is a four-week summer Academy that provides an educationally enriching program introducing high school students to the university environment. The program is for high school students who are from disadvantaged backgrounds and/or will be first-generation college graduates.
Upward Bound Math & Science
Serving five target high schools in northern Arizona, Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) works with 10th–12th grade students interested in STEM. UBMS provides students with support services during the school year; during the summer, students can attend an intensive summer academic program on the NAU Flagstaff campus.
Centers and institutes
Center for American Indian Economic Development
The Center for American Indian Economic Development administers programs to help Tribal nations achieve self-sufficiency through community, economic, and business development.
Center for Health Equity Research
Center for Health Equity Research (CHER) partners with communities to build foundations and environments that support health and well-being.
Commission for Indigenous Peoples
The Commission for Indigenous Peoples considers, evaluates, and analyzes all matters pertaining to Native Americans at NAU to establish goals and priorities, engage Native American faculty/staff/students, disseminate and share information, and advise the president.
Economic Policy Institute
Housed within The W. A. Franke College of Business, the Economic Policy Institute encourages Arizona tourism and economic development for Tribal and rural communities.
Institute for Native-serving Educators
The Institute for Native-serving Educators partners with Native Nations, Indigenous-serving schools, and public schools on and bordering reservation communities to develop professional development opportunities for teachers.
Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals
The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) strengthens Tribal capacity and sovereignty in environmental and natural resource management by providing culturally relevant education, sponsoring research, forming partnerships, and developing policy-based services.
eJournal of Indigenous Early Childhood Education
This quarterly journal publishes papers of interest to early childhood educators, policy-makers, and other stakeholders regarding early childhood issues on Tribal nations across the United States and Indigenous cultures across the globe.
Native American Cancer Prevention
Native American Cancer Prevention (NACP) collaborates with investigators and Native American communities to address their health concerns related to cancer and provide advanced training programs for Native American students entering undergraduate and graduate research.
Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF)
The Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF) is the hub of Indigenous life on campus.
Native American Forest and Rangeland Management Program
The Native American Forest and Rangeland Management program facilitates collaboration between Tribal resource management programs with federal and state agencies to implement restorative management of Tribal forests and rangelands.
Navajo Native American Research Center for Health Partnership
The Navajo Native American Research Center for Health Partnership (NARCH) develops American Indian/Alaska Native scientists and health professionals, fosters and grows the relationship between Diné College and NAU, and improves the health and well-being of the Navajo people through the development of public health training.
Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement (ONAIA)
The Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement (ONAIA) manages five programs that strive to support NAU’s goal to become the leading university serving Native Americans: Center for Native American and Indigenous Futures (CNAIF), Institute for Native-serving Educators, Tribal Leadership Initiative, Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, and a Development program.
Tribal Leadership Initiative
This graduate certificate program is geared toward current and future tribal leaders and individuals and organizations who wish to work with them more effectively. Learn more about the Tribal Leadership Initiative.