Winds of Change - College 2016 - 2

Welcome AISES FROM Welcome to the 2016-2017 Special College Issue of Winds of Change! This edition is always one of my favorites because I can readily picture our younger members making good use of it as they prepare for their next big step. With its focus on higher education, this issue also underscores a keystone of the AISES mission - helping Native students fulfill their dreams of achievement in STEM fields. We want to see you all do well in your college and graduate studies, and we've included articles here to help with choosing a school where you can excel, preparing a strong application, and settling in once you arrive on campus. The centerpiece of every Special College Issue is our much-anticipated listing of the Top 200 Colleges for Native Americans starting on page 21. This guide is designed to help you narrow your choices and make a well-informed decision about where to apply, so be sure to start by consulting "How to Read the Tables," the "guide to the guide," on page 22. With the information you'll find there, you'll be a savvy consumer of all the carefully researched data in the Top 200 listings. And when you're ready to begin the college application process, the article "Writing an Irresistible Essay" on page 12 will help you tackle the challenge of preparing a personal statement that reflects your best self. "Get Ready to Succeed" on page 16 is full of advice you can use before you get to campus, as well as tips for getting off to a strong start in your new life as a college student. Of course, when you're about to take a big step like committing to a challenging path of higher education, it helps to know that you aren't alone. Beginning on page 5 we've included stories of undergraduate and graduate students who share their own obstacles and successes. You'll meet Aaron Ashley and learn how he coped with being far from home in a rigorous academic environment; nontraditional students Aaron Waubanascum and Sammy Matsaw, who spent time in the military on their way to a college degree; and Wendi Cole and Shanny Spang Gion, each motivated in her own way by giving back to her community. You'll learn something from each of them, and get good advice like this from Aaron Waubanascum: "Students who hope to attend college should find their reason to go before they get there. ... If a student knows what they want and it's worth the effort, they will do just fine in college." Here at AISES, we work hard every day to help make sure that you too will do just fine in college. Our warmest wishes on your next step! Ta'Tura Tsiksu (With Much Respect), Sarah EchoHawk Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma AISES Chief Executive Officer winds OF CHANGE Volume 31, Number 3 Publisher AISES Publishing, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Sarah EchoHawk American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) aises.org API Board of Directors Dr. Twyla Baker-Demaray, chair; Marlene Watson, vice-chair; Dr. James May, treasurer; Dr. Iona Black, secretary; Rick Stephens, ex-officio; Dr. Mark Bellcourt; Paul Kabotie; Lisa Lone Fight; Sheila Lopez Editorial Advisory Board Grace Bulltail, Russell Chazell, Katherine Crocker, Kayla DeVault, Sheridan Evans, Daniel Howard, Laurel James, Lisa Oxendine, Al Qöyawayma, Isaiah Sato, Althea Walker, Lynette Wasson, Montoya Whiteman WINDS OF CHANGE aises.org/news/woc FOR ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES: National Sales Director Candace McDonough cmcdonough@pohlyco.com 617.969.2137 Editor Karen English kenglish@pohlyco.com 617.872.3395 Managing Editor Amy Norcross Contributors Susan Biemesderfer, Tracy Campbell, Sarah E. Dollard, Stephanie Mann, Dick Pierce, William Rosenthal, Lindsey Yanow Art Director Kristen Goodfriend Production Manager Travis Roy Media Coordinator Gina White pohlyco.com Winds of Change is published five times per year, in both print and digital formats, by The Pohly Company for AISES Publishing, Inc., in conjunction with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. All Winds of Change print issues are accompanied by a digital edition posted on aises.org and emailed to 12,500 members, supporters, and contributors. Winds of Change also publishes Winds of Change Pathways, a digital member newsletter emailed monthly. Copyright © AISES Publishing, Inc. 2016. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph, or illustration without express written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed within are not to be considered official expressions of AISES, API, Winds of Change, or The Pohly Company. The Pohly Company, API, and AISES assume no responsibility for errors and omissions appearing within and reserve the right to accept or reject all editorial and advertising matter, nor do they assume any liability for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs, or artwork. Printed on recycled paper. 2 WINDS OF CHANGE * 2016-2017 SPECIAL COLLEGE ISSUE aises.org http://www.aises.org http://www.aises.org/news/woc http://www.pohlyco.com http://www.aises.org http://www.aises.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Winds of Change - College 2016