Presenters





Matthew Van Alstine Makomenaw, an enrolled member of the Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians tribes of Michigan, is the College Pathways Manager for the American Indian College Fund. Makomenaw has experience with providing college access and retention for American Indian students in higher education. Makomenaw holds a doctorate degree in higher, adult, and lifelong education from Michigan State University, where he completed his dissertation on the success of tribal college students transferring to four-year predominantly white institutions. Makomenaw’s research focuses on tribal college transfer students, Native American student college choice, and Native American student success factors.





Jacque Demko, sakaa’ A Hiraxaat (guiding star) is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, and a descendant of the White Earth band of Ojibwe. She is alumna of Stetson University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in biology and the University of South Florida where she received a master’s degree in ecology and evolution. Jacque served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Uganda from 2011-2013. For the past seven years, she has worked in science education and research.





Dr. Amanda R. Tachine is Navajo from Ganado, Arizona. She is Náneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii (Zuni Red Running into Water clan) born for Tl’izilani (Many Goats clan). She is an Assistant Professor at Arizona State University, where she advances ideas and strategies to increase Native college student success. Amanda was recognized by President Barack Obama with the White House Champions of Change: Young Women Empowering Communities award for her instrumental work in creating University of Arizona’s Native SOAR (Student Outreach for Access and Resiliency), a multi-generation mentoring program to increase college access among Native youth and families. She has published thought pieces in the Huffington Post, Al Jazeera, The Hill, Teen Vogue, and Navajo Times, where she advances ideas regarding discriminatory actions, educational policies, and inspirational movements.







