By: Caden Gray
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) — The University of Arkansas and the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative (IFAI) created the new Native American Student Services director position at the university. The position, founded through the Tribal New Beginnings Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, seeks to bolster the university’s support for Native American students.
The IFAI partnered with Dr. Marty Matlock, a biological and agricultural engineering professor with Native American heritage, who will serve the director position. Summer Rae Wilkie, the Youth Coordinator at IFAI, was there when the program was first being built and Native American representation was confined to one small sector.
“Over ten years that club has been the main point of contact for Native American students on our campus,” said Wilkie, who grew up in Cherokee nation. “When I came back as a graduate student, nothing really changed, and I thought there needed to be a staff position dedicated to this.”
The university made plans to nearly double the current 258 Native American students on campus by 2028. However, this number only accounts for the full-blooded Native American population. Due to the “two or more races” tag used when counting enrolled students, students with Native American heritage are underrepresented.
“That two or more races tag is erasing us,” said Wilkie.
Counting all students with Native American heritage, there are currently 1,087 on campus. There are also plans to increase the graduation rate of Native American students from 63% to 90% in the same timeframe.
The IFAI has a goal to develop an advisory council with input from neighboring tribes. With this, she hopes to see better representation for Native American students on campus.
“They might be more in touch with the needs of these Native American students,” she said. “Even though there are a few individuals and organizations on campus that are spearheading the initiative, it cannot be done without collaboration.”