Resources To Support Student Diversity

We are committed to growing our support for students from diverse backgrounds

Financial

NAU offers scholarships and assists in advertising scholarships specifically for students from under-represented backgrounds:

• 2021 Fund for Student Diversity in Earth and Environmental Sciences: SES is committed to providing dedicated funding and support to serve a wider diversity of graduate students. As part of this year’s admission cycle (applications due January 15, 2021), we are offering supplemental funding  for students from backgrounds currently underrepresented in our graduate programs. If you are interested in applying to our graduate programs, talk to any faculty member you are interested in working with, or email the funding coordinator with any questions you have or to get help finding a potential mentor.
• Tribal scholarships for NAU students
• The Quayle Scholarship for current or future NAU graduate students who are members of a Native American tribe or nation
• National and international scholarships for students from diverse backgrounds
• National and international scholarships for LGBTQ students
• National and international scholarships for students with disabilities

Other organizations offering scholarships specifically for students in earth / environment / sustainability fields (list in progress):

• American Geosciences Institute

Community

Looking to connect with other students who share your background, culture, or interests? Check out the list of NAU Clubs and Organizations as well as the Native American Cultural Center.

Research and Careers

• Wondering how to get involved in research in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)? Check out LSAMP (the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation). No prior experience or connections needed.
• Master’s and undergraduate students interested in projects related to environmental health (the links between humans, ecosystems, and pollution) can also apply to be part of the RISE (Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement) program at NAU.
• NAU is also extremely fortunate to host ITEP (the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals), which works to “strength[en] tribal capacity and sovereignty in environmental and natural resource management through culturally relevant education, research, partnerships and policy-based services.” Spend some time at their website to learn more about their accomplishments and opportunities – ITEP offers internships to NAU students in a number of environmental areas.

Beyond NAU, you might be interested in:

• AISES (American Indian Science and Engineering Society)
• GeoLatinas (Latinas in Earth & Planetary Sciences)
• MANRRS (Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences)
• NABG (National Association of Black Geoscientists)
• SACNAS (Advancing Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science)
• SEEDS (Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity, and Sustainability)
• SOLESS (Latinxs/Hispanics in Earth and Space Science)
• Many of these groups have a presence on social media, which can be a great way to connect to other researchers and scientists from a wide range of backgrounds. E.g., check out #BlackBirdersWeek on Twitter and the amazing scientists and naturalists who made it happen!

Change making

See something that needs improvement to support diversity and inclusion in SES or at NAU? We’d love to hear about it in whatever way feels best to you. You can talk to your professors or graduate program coordinators or advisors, or you can reach out to the Office of Inclusion or the Native American Cultural Center.