Resident Elder Program hosting open house to celebrate new location

The Applied Indigenous Studies department invites students, faculty and staff to celebrate the opening of its Resident Elder Program office at an open house, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 16 in room 9 of the Social and Behavioral Sciences West building (#70, the old College of Business Administration building).

The Resident Elder Program offers a “cultural bridge” for native students transitioning to college life at NAU. The program’s two elders, Marina Vasquez and Bob Lomadafkie, are oftentimes a student’s number one resource for class information, internship assistance, guidance, academic referrals and counseling.

As one of just two universities in North America that has resident elders as part of its academic staff, NAU was featured in a recent article in the Christian Science Monitor, which described the elders as bringing a “treasure trove of knowledge both of the songs and ceremonies that transmit…culture, and on how to straddle two worlds.”

In their new setting, the elders will continue efforts to build community with students and other programs across campus through socials, lectures and films, workshops, peer mentoring, alumni relations and more.

For information, call (928) 523-5929 or (928) 523-5927.