– Deadlines Extended –

Due to the delay in FAFSA data being supplied to the University of Oregon, the UO is extending the confirmation deadline to June 1, 2024, for first-year students admitted for fall 2024. We are also extending the priority FAFSA filing deadline to April 1, 2024, for all UO students.

Native Indigenous Students at the UO

As part of our strong commitment to creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for learning, teaching, and expression, the University of Oregon encourages Native Indigenous students to apply for admission. Through a variety of programs, services, and initiatives, the UO seeks to create a welcoming and supportive campus atmosphere for Native Indigenous students.

Resources for Native/Indigenous at the UO

Elder blessing flag raising at EMU ampitheater
Indigenous Pre-College Academy

This summer academy aims to create a cohort of college-bound indigenous students from Oregon. Over the course of this eight-day program, the students will get acquainted with the UO's campus, facilities, students, and staff. We want to foster an early sense of comfortability on college campuses that will make the transition into higher education that much easier for our students. Students will stay in our new Kalapuya Ilihi residence hall and get first-hand experience living and learning on a college campus.

More Information

  • The Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) Academic Residential Community is for students interested in delving into the issues facing indigenous communities, as well as exploring solutions to those challenges. NAIS residents live in the newly built Kalapuya Ilihi Hall. Students interested in being part of NAIS must apply to this residential community.
  • The UO offers in-state tuition to all members of the tribes and bands that have a historic relationship to the land that became Oregon regardless of their current state of residence—a savings of over $20,000 per year.
  • The UO offers a minor in Native American studies.
  • The UO has an active Native American Student Union (NASU).
  • The Diversity Excellence Scholarship recognizes the academic achievement and potential of students who, through sharing their varied cultural perspectives, will enhance the education of all students and the excellence of the university.
  • The Native American Student Union organizes an annual Mother’s Day celebration and pow-wow.
  • The beautiful Many Nations Longhouse, which is used for personal, cultural, social, and academic events, is the oldest continuously operated longhouse on a college campus in the Northwest.
  • The Northwest Indian Language Institute offers Sahaptin and Tolowa dialect studies.
  • Academic resources and cultural support for Native American students through the Division of Equity and Inclusion, and TRiO programs.
  • The Pacific Northwest Tribal Climate Change Project within the Environmental Studies Program offers UO students the opportunity to take on internships and research positions examining how tribes can be involved in tackling climate change.
  • The College of Education's Sapsik'walá Project is a master's program that trains Native American students to become professional educators, allowing them to help their communities by returning to teach in Native schools.
  • The Native American Law Students Association promotes the study of Indian Law and traditional forms of government.
  • The Opportunities program presents workshops at schools and community centers that address concerns for both students and parents, such as financial aid and scholarships, essay writing, deadlines, ACT and SAT tests, the admissions process, and the natural fear of going away for college. 
  • UO Connections is a half-day college advocacy program designed for first-generation, ethnically diverse, or economically disadvantaged high school students in ninth through twelfth grades. The program provides valuable college prep information.
  • The Future Stewards Fellowship is a scholarship waiving tuition for Native American graduate students for up to two years. Please review the scholarship criteria to see if you qualify.

Native/Indigenous Faculty and Staff Contacts

At the UO, you’ll make connections with Native/Indigenous faculty members and staff across campus.

Emma Bjorngard Basayne (Saami)
Academic Advisor
College of Education
ebasayne@uoregon.edu

Kirby Brown (Cherokee Nation)
Associate Professor of English
Director of Native American and Indigenous Studies
Department of English
541-346-8830 
kbrown@uoregon.edu

Brian Bull (Nez Perce)
Assistant Professor
School of Journalism and Communication

Marta Clifford (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde)
Elder-in-Residence
Undergraduate Education and Student Success
mcliffo@uoregon.edu

Ashley Cordes (Coquille Indian Tribe)
Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
College of Arts and Sciences
acordes@uoregon.edu

Liane Davis (Niipising/Klamath/Modoc)
OAA Petitions Coordinator
Office of Academic Advising
541-346-3211
lianei@uoregon.edu

Robert Elliott (Diné/Navajo)
Director, Northwest Indian Language Institute
Director, Yamada Language Center
Senior Instructor II
541-346-0730
robert@uoregon.edu

Olivia Sparks Iverson (Oglala Lakota Nation) 
Native American and Indigenous Recruitment Coordinator
Office of Admissions
olivias.admissions@uoregon.edu

Michelle Jacob (Yakama Nation)
Professor
Department of Education Studies
541-346-9572
mjacob@uoregon.edu

Madison Jones (Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria)
Admissions Counselor
Office of Admissions
madison.admissions@uoregon.edu

Brian Klopotek (Choctaw)
Associate Professor
Department of Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies
541-346-0903
klopotek@uoregon.edu

Lana Lopesi (Sāmoa)
Assistant Professor
Department of Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies
llopesi@uoregon.edu

Ethan Mapes (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation)
International Student and Scholar Advisor
Interim Scholar Services Manager
Division of Global Engagement
541-346-1402
emapes@uoregon.edu

Sara Mason (Lakota)
Assistant Director, Industry Engagement, Mohr Career Services
Industry and Alumni Engagement
541-346-1462
slmason@uoregon.edu

Clay Neal, AIA (Citizen Potawatomi)
Visiting Assistant Professor
Department of Architecture
School of Architecture and Environment
cneal@uoregon.edu

Jesse Nelson (Lakota)
Assistant Vice Provost for Advising and Accessibility
Office of Academic Advising
jyn@uoregon.edu

Jennifer R. O'Neal (Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde)
Assistant Professor
Department of Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies
541-346-8830
joneal@uoregon.edu

Morning Star Padilla (Dine)
Design Librarian
UO Libraries
mstar@uoregon.edu

Leilani Sabzalian (Alutiiq)
Assistant Professor of Indigenous Studies in Education
Co-Director, Sapsik’wałá Education Program
Department of Education Studies
541-346-1535
leilanis@uoregon.edu

Katie Staton (Tsimshian, Sitka Tribe of Alaska)
Many Nations Longhouse Steward
Many Nations Longhouse
541-346-6262
kstaton@uoregon.edu

Stephanie Tabibian (Shoshone-Paiute)
Sapsik’wałá Program Coordinator
Sapsik’wałá Education Program
541-346-2545
tabibian@uoregon.edu

Callie Treadway (Cherokee Nation)
Academic and Career Advisor
Tykeson College and Career Advising
541-346-9283
ctreadwa@uoregon.edu

Norma Trefren (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians)
Multicultural Academic Advisor and Native/Indigenous Retention Specialist
Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence
541-346-9831
ntrefren@uoregon.edu

Jason Younker (Coquille Indian Tribe)
Assistant Vice President and Advisor to the President on Sovereignty and Government-to-Government Relations
541-346-5672
jyounker@uoregon.edu