Get connected with a community of support and a culture of empowerment at the American Indian Student Conference.
Open and free to all students at the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges and partners interested in learning more about the support resources and services available to American Indian students.
The conference will feature a keynote speaker, presentations, breakout sessions, and a catered lunch.
This year's theme, Culture, Community, and College Success, celebrates the strength of Indigenous cultures, the importance of community, and the pathways that empower Native students to thrive in higher education and beyond. The conference provides an opportunity to share innovative practices, lived experiences, research, and success stories that inspire Native student achievement while honoring Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and values.
Registration is required.
If you have any questions, please send an email to American Indian Outreach at Maricopa Community Colleges: aio@domail.maricopa.edu.
Featured Keynote Speakers:
Join us for presentations from Melody Lewis and Turquoise Skye Devereaux who will examine how relationship-driven leadership models, rooted in Indigenous values and collective accountability, create lasting opportunities. They will share practical approaches for building peer-support, maintaining cultural identity in institutions, and applying Indigenous leadership to academic and professional paths. Their presentation will connect lived experience with broader issues of Indigenous knowledge systems and community resilience in higher education.
Melody Lewis (Mojave/Tewa/Hopi) is the Founder and CEO of Indigenous Community Collaborative. A strategist, systems leader, and community advocate, Melody works to advance Indigenous entrepreneurship, culturally responsive workforce pathways, and meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities.
Turquoise Skye Devereaux, MSW (Salish and Blackfeet) is an Indigenous entrepreneur, educator, and activist. She works to revitalize Indigenous identity and advance systemic change.