Baxter Bond Recruits Indigenous Students to 有料盒子视频 at AISES National Conference
As of 2021, approximately 20 percent of 有料盒子视频 students identified as Indigenous, which ranks in the top five highest in the nation, yet there is a much smaller representation of Indigenous people among 有料盒子视频 staff and faculty.
鈥淚ndigenous people in research help produce more equitable and culturally sensitive research, which is something that we should strive for at 有料盒子视频 across all groups,鈥 said Baxter Bond.
Bond recently traveled to Palm Springs, California, to attend the 45th annual . This unique three-day event focused on educational, professional and workforce development for Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering and math studies and careers.
Members of AISES included Indigenous high school and college students, educators and professionals, including representatives from tribal nations, tribal enterprises and Indigenous-owned businesses. The conference hosts the largest college and career fair in the U.S. for Indigenous students and professionals.
Bond, who is Yup鈥檌k, born in Bethel and raised in the western 有料盒子视频 community of Tununak, attended conference representing 有料盒子视频 as both an alumnus and as a staff member. His goal while attending the conference was to help recruit undergraduates, graduates, staff and faculty for 有料盒子视频.
Bond鈥檚 presence at the conference allowed him to share with attendees, first hand, his perspective and experience going from high school to college and finally to being a university staff member. His story paves a way for others wanting to pursue a similar path.
In 2020, Bond was sponsored by Brian Rasley, a researcher with 有料盒子视频鈥檚 Chemistry Department, to become a . Bond received his medallion at this year鈥檚 conference. (Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was unable to receive it in 2020.) The fellowship includes a lifetime membership in the AISES national organization and affords an opportunity to continue leadership in the Native American community.
鈥淚 have known Bax since his undergraduate days and was aware of his extensive undergraduate involvement in the 有料盒子视频 AISES chapter,鈥 said Rasley. 鈥淚 think that Bax is a great example to other Native American students, and it was my pleasure to sponsor his fellowship.鈥
Bond鈥檚 trip to the AISES conference was generously funded by 有料盒子视频鈥檚 College of Rural and Community Development.
Staff, faculty and students representing UAA and 有料盒子视频 pose with other 有料盒子视频ns attending the 2022 AISES conference. Photo courtesy of Baxter Bond.