JayLynn Rogers felt like she didn’t belong at University of Idaho and considered leaving.
But, after discovering the Native American Student Center, she changed her mind.
“I would’ve dropped out,” said the UI junior studying secondary education. “The Native Center provided a space for me that felt like home. I didn’t find those connections that I needed until I got (here).”
She said the Native Center allowed her to relax and get involved with more Native American students who had similar experiences, both growing up and at the university.
UI junior Betsy Spaulding said she spends most of her time at the Native Center.
Spaulding, who studies animal veterinary science production, works as an office assistant at the Native Center, saying when she is not in class or at home, she is studying or relaxing there.
Like Rogers, Spaulding said the decade-old space has played a major role in her life
“Without them, I probably wouldn’t be as dedicated to school as I am,” Spaulding said. “I might’ve not come back to school because they’ve helped me a lot financially too.”
Spaulding said she wants to set an example for freshmen in the Native Center, believing if they see her studying, they will know they should, too.
The Native Center has been on UI’s campus since 2007 with the goal of supporting all students who self-identify as Native American, said Sydel Samuels, director of the Native Center.
Samuels said the Native Center focuses on encouraging Native American students to attend the university, stay and eventually graduate.
Native Center officials provide outreach and education to the university community, bolstering an understanding of Native populations, Samuels said.
She said the Native Center provides many services for students, but it is also a place where they can come have lunch, take a nap or study.
They also have many evening programs, such as craft nights, food Fridays and holiday parties, Samuels said.
Spaulding said studying at the Native Center has helped her grades because she gets distracted easily.
Spaulding, a Native Center scholarship recipient, is required to attend specific events and meetings, which she said are helpful in encouraging success.
These requirements include study hours, tutoring and monthly leadership workshops.
As part of the scholarship, Spaulding also attends advising meetings every other week, where the Native Center staff works with her to establish goals for the year and learn how they can better assist her.
“They want us to succeed just as much as we want to,” Spaulding said. “If we’re hitting a bump in the road, they’re going to help us get over that bump.
“I felt I could talk to Sydel (Samuels) about anything,” Spaulding said. “She’s so welcoming and very personable. If she sees that there’s something wrong, she will ask. She knows my potential, and she pushes me.”
Rogers agreed, saying the staff is a big reason why she stayed at UI because of their motivation, reassuring she could get her degree and graduate.
Samuels said the Native Center staff has an open door policy, so students can always stop by and visit.
They can help with classwork, as well as financial troubles, tribal relations and problems with professors.
She said it’s important for staff members to be down to earth and approachable, but also let students know they’re there to work.
Outreach goes beyond the Native Center and into the tribal communities, where they can familiarize themselves with students’ parents, grandparents and tribal leaders, Samuels said.
“Staying connected with what’s going on in their communities makes them feel valued and like they know somebody,” she said.
The Native Center also works to connect students with community members and other university offices and departments.
Samuels said their goal is ultimately to help students “learn the system that wasn’t designed for them” and help them be successful maneuvering within it.
She said the Native Center is always setting goals to make their services more beneficial for students.
Working with students every day and helping them when they need it, Samuels said, it is not only important, but fun.
“It’s critical that we prepare our future leaders so that they can lead our tribes, be stable in their family lives, operate in our environments and also come to the universities and look at careers and be prepared and confident in everything that they do,” Samuels said.
Jordan Willson can be reached at [email protected]