Established to increase college access, persistence, and degree completion among Native American students, Native Student Outreach, Access, and Resiliency (SOAR) is a community-engaged program that combines a university-level undergraduate course with culturally responsive mentoring. The mentoring program serves Native American high school students in Tucson and surrounding communities, while also engaging UA undergraduate students as mentors.
UA, located on the ancestral homelands of the Tohono O’odham Nation (TON) and situated near both the TON and Pascua Yaqui Tribe, is committed to building reciprocal partnerships with Tribal Nations across Arizona and the Southwest.
Guided by its land-grant mission, UA collaborates with Tribal communities to co-create knowledge, expand educational opportunity, and address community-identified priorities that benefit both Tribal Nations and the broader public.
Native SOAR is a key example of this commitment. Developed in response to Tribal priorities to increase Native student access, persistence, and completion in higher education, Native SOAR also advances UA’s goal of expanding postsecondary opportunity across Arizona.
Native SOAR includes two complementary components:
- An academic credit-bearing undergraduate course in which approximately 70 UA students (annually), representing a wide range of academic disciplines, develop knowledge and skills related to college access, student success, educational equity, mentorship, and working effectively with Native communities.
- A near-peer mentoring program in which UA undergraduates apply their learning by mentoring Native American high school students from Tucson and surrounding communities. Mentors support college exploration, academic preparation, and navigation of admissions and financial aid, while helping students build confidence in their postsecondary goals. The model fosters strong relationships that benefit both mentors and mentees.
Since 2016, 281 undergraduates have served as Native SOAR mentors, representing over 80 majors. 72% of our mentors identify as citizens and/or enrolled members of Native nations, and represent 32 tribes across the country. In addition to serving as college mentors for middle/high school students, undergraduates also receive mentorship from Native graduate students, professionals, and/or community members. In this sense, Native SOAR is a multi-generational mentoring program, featuring familial and community values.
- IN-PERSON MENTORING: College mentors meet one-on-one or in small groups with Indigenous youth. Open to Indigenous middle and high school youth in Southern Arizona.
- VIRTUAL MENTORING: College mentors meet one-on-one or in small groups with Indigenous youth via Zoom. Native SOAR graduate students oversee the virtual meetings. Open to middle and high school students in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado.
- CAMPUS VISITS: In the fall and spring, one-day events are offered to Indigenous youth and their families at UArizona. Participants learn college information that helps them prepare for their future. Open to all grade levels.
Felisia Tagaban Gaskin
Native SOAR Director
Felisia is Diné (Navajo) of the Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water) and Tachii'nii (Red Running Into the Water) clans, she also is Tlingit and of the Wooshkeetaan (Shark) clan. Felisia is a doctoral student in the Center for the Study of Higher Education. In her former roles as a graduate assistant (2018-21) and as a Sunnyside CATS (Connecting for Access and Transition Success)coordinator (2021-22), Felisia worked directly with American Indian/Alaska Native high school students and their families to support their pathways into higher education. During her service, she found inspiration to pursue her research interests, which include studying the embedded (and often invisible) effects of colonization and assimilation in educational settings. Through her work and her future research, she plans to create solutions by disrupting harmful institutional practices and by problematizing the systems, structures and policies that offer little to no support for Indigenous students. As she continues to advocate for Native students and communities, she is honored to work alongside the Native SOAR team, campus partners, community leaders, and allies.
Myrhea Sherman
(she/her/hers)
Native SOAR Program Coordinator
Myrhea Sherman is Diné (Navajo) from Tó Nihalíí (Tonalea, AZ), located on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. Her clans are Tł'ízí lání nishłí (Manygoats clan), To'áheedliinii báshíshchíín (born for the Water flow together clan), Biih Bitoodnii da shícheii (maternal clan is Deer Springs), áádóó Tódich'ii'nii da shínálí (paternal clan is Bitter water). She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Family Studies and Human Development in 2019 and Master of Arts degree in Higher Education in 2021 from the University of Arizona. Myrhea is a first-generation student, dedicated to supporting higher education pathways for Native American student success. As an undergraduate student, Myrhea participated in the Native SOAR class in 2018, while serving as the office assistant under administrative associate, Lora Francois in EPSP. After graduation, she transitioned into a graduate assistant role (2019-2022) and then joined the full-time staff team as an outreach specialist (2023). After, she worked with the Native American Student Affairs (NASA) cultural resource center team to support Indigenous student programming with community building to create a sense of belonging on campus (2024). Myrhea returned to the Native SOAR team to continue to celebrate Indigeneity, diverse backgrounds, and help undergraduate students learn about our local tribal communities while supporting all pathways post-graduation. She holds the service-learning course and mentorship program dear to her heart and is excited to inspire and motivate Indigenous youth mentees and undergraduate mentors. She aspires to create opportunities to strengthen Native American students to thrive and achieve academic excellence in a safe environment where they can build skills for leadership, personal, and professional development.
Keep up to date with Native SOAR on our Facebook and Instagram pages!
We are elated to share that The Chronicle of Higher Education has recently published an article highlighting the Native SOAR course and mentoring program at the University of Arizona College of Education.
Former Native SOAR Student Highlights:
- Native American Heritage Month Q&A: Shanae Dosela
- Omar Solís Acuña has a passion for both science and his Native American heritage
- Native Nations Institute
- First-generation Student Thrives in History Major: Monique Davila, '20
Native SOAR Mentor Highlights:
- Niko Sanchez celebrated by Native SOAR participants
- Lydia Jennings honored with Native American Student Affairs (NASA) Outstanding Graduate Service Award
Native SOAR in the news:
To donate online, please visit UA Foundation and select “Native SOAR” from the “I would like to support” dropdown menu.
To donate via check, please make payable to “The University of Arizona Foundation” and write “Native SOAR” in the memo line or supporting documentation. Please remit payment to:
The University of Arizona Foundation
Attn: COE/Erica Travassos
P.O. Box 210109
Tucson, AZ 85721-0109
Contact Us
Felisia Janice Tagaban Gaskin
Director, Native SOAR
Myrhea Sherman
Program Coordinator, Native SOAR
Donate to Native SOAR
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(Please select “Native SOAR” from the “I would like to support” dropdown menu on the Donate Today processing page.)
Native SOAR is a transformative program that empowers Indigenous youth and communities by fostering mentorship, cultural connections, and academic success. By supporting Native SOAR, you contribute to a brighter future for Native students, helping to nurture the next generation of leaders. Your support ensures the program can continue to expand its reach, strengthen its resources, and inspire meaningful change in the lives of Indigenous students and their mentors. Together, we can honor and uplift Indigenous voices and stories.