This past year, AIISP has had eight student employees who have played an integral role in keeping the Program running smoothly. Not only do the student employees gain valuable office experience, but they help inform the AIISP staff about current student viewpoints, and remind us of the community the Program strives to be of service to.
Christalyn Briann Ausler (CB) ’24, Cherokee, Shawnee, and Choctaw
CB is a freshman in the College of Arts & Sciences studying chemistry and economics. She identifies as Cherokee, Shawnee, and Choctaw. She enjoyed curating the weekly newsletter for the AIIS program, and would like to explore more course offerings in the AIIS program in the future.
Colin Benedict ’21, Akwesasne Mohawk
Colin Benedict/Ariwi:saks (He Who Seeks Knowledge) is Wolf Clan Mohawk from the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory. Colin is a graduating senior from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. He became involved with the AIISP and NAISAC early on in his freshman year. He started working as an AIISP student employee in the fall of 2017, and was elected co-chair of NAISAC in December 2017. Since he became involved with the program, he has served in a wide range of positions and capacities. Most recently, he completed a research project for the AIISP examining the early history of the program and its connection to Indigenous student activism. This research has provided the AIISP and NAISAC with a greater understanding of their histories, and the scope of the contributions of previous generations of Indigenous students. In his time with NAISAC, he oversaw the planning and execution of an Ivy Native Conference in the spring of 2019, an installation of the REDress Project in the fall of 2019, the creation of the Native American and Indigenous Mentorship Program (NAIMP), and countless other events, collaborations, and conversations with organizations on and off-campus. After graduation he will be accepting a position as an Organizer with Planned Parenthood of Greater New York.
Abigail Boatmun ’23, Cherokee
Abigail is a sophomore majoring in Human Development. She is a member of the Cherokee Nation from Durant, Oklahoma. Abigail had a great time working for the AIISP office this year and can’t wait to become more involved with the program in the coming years. The AIISP faculty greatly appreciate the work she put in doing background research for the Cornell University and Indigenous Dispossession Project, as well as compiling information on Indigenous Studies programs across North America.
Luke Ellis ’24
Luke Ellis from Honolulu is a rising sophomore intending to major in Information Science with a minor in Music. He has enjoyed video editing from a young age, and he spends his free time playing jazz piano, tap dancing, and playing basketball. He is also a student sound engineer in the Music Department. Luke has been an employee at the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program since his freshman year.
Kimberly Fuqua ’21 (Graduate), Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
Kimberly is a former special education teacher, working on her MPA with the goal of advocating for minorities and students with disabilities, and working in policy to ensure a fair and appropriate education for students in public schools. Experienced in teaching and advocacy for over 10 years, she has a passion for fairness and equity and is skilled in organizational leadership, collaboration, and leading volunteer efforts. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Public Administration (MPA) focused on Social Educational Policy at the Cornell Institute of Public Affairs; she will graduate in May 2021. She is also working toward the Systems Thinking Modeling Leadership Certificate and Cornell’s Diversity and Inclusion Certificate. Kimberly is also interested in the human rights aspect of policy due to her Native roots as her tribe continues to struggle for equality in America. Being a minority female, she has had to learn to adapt to her surroundings, whether that be in rural North Carolina, Canterbury U.K., or Cornell University. She is thankful for AIISP as it has allowed her to work as community support specialist and resident hall assistant at Akwe:kon. This year, she served as CIPA’s Diversity and Inclusion Fellow, co-president of the Indigenous Graduate Student Association (IGSA), and will be Degree Marshal representing the Graduate School and lead the students in the graduation procession. AIISP has been fundamental to her success at Cornell.
Brisa Lee ’23, Mohawk/Tarahumara
Brisa Lee is Mohawk/Tarahumara and a freshman in the Hotel school. Brisa founded and incorporated a non-profit aimed at raising funds for Native American communities without access to clean water, engaging charitable contributions and running literacy initiative projects with her sister, Daniela. She has also been an honored guest illustrator during the Dr. Seuss Birthday annual event as well as at Read-Across-American celebrations. Currently, Brisa is part of the new Ambassador program working on recruitment efforts, event promotion and other special projects for the Program.
Paula Blanco Ortiz ’24, Mayan Pipil
Paula is a freshman in Environment and Sustainability. She is mixed Latina, with Mayan Pipil heritage. She currently serves as the External Relations Chair for Native American and Indigenous Students at Cornell (NAISAC). Paula works with AIISP in a part of the new Ambassadors program which supports recruitment efforts, event promotions, and works on special projects related to supporting these efforts. Paula is currently working on an exciting project which will help future Native and Indigenous Cornellians navigate the University.
Madison Stevens ’21 (fall), Six Nations Mohawk and Seneca Nations
Madison is Six Nations Mohawk and Seneca and is a senior majoring in Human Development in the College of Human Ecology. She served two terms as co-chair for NAISAC during 2019 and 2020. She also served as a mentor in NAIMP in Fall 2020. She assisted AIISP with administrative and recruitment-related tasks. She is an integral part of our community. Thank you so much for your hard work!
