Marquel Begay

Diné [Navajo] Citizen

Marquel is a graduate student studyingEcology, Management, and Restoration of Rangelands at the University of Arizona. She is studying ecological restoration and community-based land management so she can improve rangelands on the Navajo Nation.

“I wish to serve as an excellent relative, educator, researcher, and liaison for Tribal communities interested in improving and sustaining their agricultural and natural resources that support and strengthen their local cultural knowledge and practices for future generations.  I want to teach at Dine’ College, our reservation TCU.”

Nicole Benally

Diné [Navajo] Citizen

Nicole is a graduate student researching Forest & Conservation Sciences at the University of Montana with her focus in her major on Indigenous Food Sovereignty.

She wishes to serve Indigenous people by connecting them to resources that integrate contemporary community lifestyles with preserving their culture, food, language, and ecological knowledge. 

Maddylon Burris

Chickasaw Nation

Maddylon is a CTE student studying agriculture education at Redlands Community College.

She is planning to receive an Associate in Agriculture Education from Redlands Community College then finish a bachelor’s degree at Oklahoma State University. Her ultimate goal is to teach Agriculture Education in public schools to focus on Native American students’ involvement in agriculture.

Carson Capps

Citizen of Potawatomi Nation

Carson is an undergraduate student studying Agribusiness with a focus on pre-law at Oklahoma State University. He was recently named OSU Senior of Significance for the 2024-2025 academic year by the OSU Alumni Association. The 51 students in Seniors of Significane represent the top one percent of seniors, including all five OSU undergraduate academic colleges. 

“After graduating from Oklahoma State University, I plan to attend law school specializing in Indigenous Peoples Law. I intend to use my education and advocate for agriculture and Native American communities in my home state of Oklahoma.”

Jaelyn Dove

Lumbee Nation

Jaelyn is an undergraduate studying Animal Science at North Carolina’s State University. Her main focus is Veterinary Bio-Sciences. She wishes to return to rural North Carolina to practice veterinary medicine in the Robeson/Bladen counties. 

Henry Hainzinger

Osage Nation

Henry is a CTE student studying to be a Truck Technician with a focus on Diesel Mechanics at Oklahoma State University’s Institute of Technology.

“I plan to graduate, work for someone else for 2-3 years, and then build my shop in Osage County. I would eventually like to run my shop while still being able to help on the family ranch.”

Gina McGuire

ʻŌiwi [Native Hawai’ian]

Gina is a grad student studying Geography & Environment at the University of Hawai’i. Her main focus in her degree is on Indigenous Geographies of Wellness. That’s because she wishes to start and operate a non-profit organization focused on restoring Hawaiʻi’s traditional foods and Native forest systems. 

Santana Nez

Diné [Navajo] Citizen

Santana is a grad student studing to be a DVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Arizona. She is focusing her study on Mixed Animal / Food; Animal Medicine so that she can provide animal medicine services on rural Tribal and non-Tribal lands.

Justina Slim

Diné [Navajo] Citizen

Justina is an undergraduate researching Animal Science & Agriculture Business at Colorado State University. She is focusing her research on Bovine Reproduction and Genetics.

“I would like to work for forward-thinking companies like Select Sires and ABS Global to aid producers so they can make genetically informed decisions that will improve beef products within their herds.”

Brendan Walker

Diné [Navajo] Citizen

Brendan is a graduate student researching DVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine. He is focusing on Large Animal Medicine so he can practice as a mixed animal veterinarian on Tribal lands.