2023 Native America STEM Scholarship Recipients
Each year, Souder, Miller & Associates offers $1,500 scholarships to eligible Native American students pursuing a four-year degree in STEM fields. To date the SMA Scholarship Program has awarded 73 students and graduated 33 students. This year, the annual banquet to award the scholarships took place on August 11, at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, NM, where this year’s eight recipients celebrated their accomplishment with their families.
This year’s recipients, along with their chosen universities and majors, are:
- Jaydn Curry, Navajo Nation – Fort Lewis College, Exercise Physiology
- Jayna Lee, White Mountain Apache Tribe – Arizona State University, Biomedical Sciences
- Kayden Vicenti, Jicarilla Apache Nation – Northern Arizona University, Applied Computer Science/Electrical Engineering
- Lucille Longhurst, Navajo Nation, Fort Defiance Chapter – Northern University, Mechanical Engineering/Native American Studies
- Melanie Beulah Jensen, Navajo Nation, Teesto Chapter – San Juan College, Health Information Technology
- Tristan Swatts, Navajo Nation, Nahata Dziil Chapter – University of New Mexico, Nursing
- Vetesha Lynn Smith, Navajo Nation, Crownpoint Chapter – University of Arizona, Science, Technology, Health and Society
- Warren Alisandro Chewiwi, Pueblo of Isleta – New Mexico Tech, Computer Science/Computer Engineering
Attendance included Council Delegates from the Navajo Nation, SMA’s executive staff and SMA employees. Guests and members of the executive team shared their thoughts with students and their families. SMA staff representing various technical teams shared their knowledge and experience working in different communities.
We are excited for each of the students and look forward to seeing what their bright minds accomplish in the future!