Tucson Standard

Tribal leaders from across Arizona convened at the University of Arizona on Monday to engage with university officials and explore ways to enhance collaborations between the institution and tribal communities. The event, organized by the university's Office of Native American Initiatives and Tribal Engagement, marked the third Tribal Leaders Summit since its inception in 2021.

"We're providing a platform for our university community to come together and hear directly from tribal leaders about how we can collaborate with one another," said Levi Esquerra, senior vice president for Native American initiatives and tribal engagement. "In order to better serve tribes, we have to know who they are and what they're dealing with."

The summit began with a luncheon hosted by University President Robert C. Robbins, who encouraged tribal leaders to share their ideas on how the university could better serve their communities. "This is our time for me to listen and hear how we can serve your nations better," Robbins stated during his opening remarks.

Discussions during the luncheon focused on potential opportunities for establishing branch campuses within tribal communities. The university had previously opened its first tribal microcampus with the Pascua Yaqui Tribe in 2022.

Lisa Garcia, a member of the Ak-Chin Indian Community Council, emphasized that a microcampus would make higher education more accessible for Ak-Chin community members who face challenges leaving their community due to family commitments or cultural adjustments. "Maybe a microcampus is the best option for them to get some exposure but stay closer to home," she said.

Buddy Rocha, a member of the Yavapai-Apache Nation and an alumnus of Eller College of Management's MBA program, noted that such initiatives could provide development opportunities in rural areas. "Having the presence of a university there … would really sponsor the hospitality sector; it would help with governance; it would help with small businesses in the area," he remarked.

Robbins reiterated his goal of establishing a microcampus with every tribe in Arizona. "The blueprint and roadmap are there with Pascua Yaqui – we've done it already," he said.

Following lunch, tribal leaders met with other university officials to discuss various ways in which different departments could better serve tribes. Topics included scholarship opportunities for tribal students, research assistance in health and agriculture sectors, promoting Native American culture on campus, encouraging college attendance among tribal members, among others.

Amelia Flores, chairwoman of the Colorado River Indian Community and an alumna of UArizona’s linguistics program, urged more partnerships between her tribe and the university's museums and libraries.

Garcia called for more formal partnerships between tribes like hers—the Ak-Chin Indian Community—and UArizona. She suggested projects related to research or economic development as well as regular visits from Ak-Chin schoolchildren to campus.

Esquerra highlighted that intergovernmental agreements similar to those established with Pascua Yaqui could pave way for additional partnerships if implemented at Ak-Chin or other tribes.

Kasey Urquídez, vice president of enrollment management and dean of undergraduate admissions, acknowledged that several tribal leaders requested greater visibility from UArizona within their communities so young members are aware of college opportunities.

Eric Mapp from UArizona’s College of Applied Science and Technology discussed interest from tribal leaders regarding cybersecurity infrastructure improvements and career paths in cyber operations—a field recognized by NSA as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations since April.

The summit concluded with an evening visit to Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter where attendees engaged in stargazing activities guided by university astronomers—an experience that capped off a day dedicated towards fostering mutual understanding and partnership building between UArizona officials and Arizona’s tribal leaders.