In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, as we honor the rich history, culture, traditions, and contributions of Native Americans to the United States, ACT is pleased to spotlight student voices from the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly (TEDNA). TEDNA is dedicated to empowering Tribal nations to serve their youth with the tools to succeed culturally, academically, and beyond. Over the years, ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning and TEDNA have collaborated on several programs and resources to advance college and career readiness and increase access to choices in education among Native students nationwide.
This two-part blog series spotlights Native American students as they share their college and career goals, inspirations, and advice for other Indigenous students, highlighting their journeys through the support of TEDNA and ACT. In the first blog post of this series, Ayden Anderson and Carter Clipp reflected on the mentors, resources, and experiences that have shaped their paths to higher education. In part two of this series, Kiara Pekah and Ryan Kosechata share their insights.
What are your academic and professional aspirations?
Kiara Pekah, sophomore, Rose State College, Oklahoma: I plan to graduate from Rose State with an Associate of Science degree in biological science. After that, I will enroll in a four-year university to pursue a bachelor’s degree on either a pre-med or pre-vet track. I’m particularly interested in Oklahoma State University’s animal science bachelor’s program and its osteopathic medicine program. I am also interested in entrepreneurship, public health, and agriculture.
Ryan Kosechata, sophomore, Oklahoma Baptist University, Oklahoma: I plan to study mechanical engineering.
Who has motivated or inspired you in your college-going journey?
Kiara: My mother has been my biggest motivation as a first-generation student, always encouraging me to strive for better. My dad also inspires me with the hard lessons he taught about life and perseverance. I want to create better opportunities for my family and community, which face many challenges. The support I’ve received has driven me to pursue higher education so I can bring valuable resources back home. While my identity is rooted in my family, I’m also discovering other interests I want to explore and create change. Higher education is my path to achieving that.
Ryan: One of my cousins and an old friend inspired me to apply for college and strive to become a better version of myself.
What resources, such as scholarships, mentorship programs, or college prep materials, has TEDNA provided to support your pursuit of higher education? What did you find most helpful?
Kiara: My TEDNA mentors helped me apply to schools and scholarships and offered holistic support in guiding me toward success after high school. After our sessions, I felt more confident about pursuing higher education, knowing I wasn’t alone in this new process and could achieve more than I initially thought.
Ryan: One of the most valuable resources TEDNA provided me was a laptop, which has helped me perform better as a student and complete assignments from home.
What barriers have you faced in accessing higher education, and how do you think these can be addressed?
Kiara: Since starting college, I've been assessing my skills and where I stand with each one. I realize there are effective challenges for high school students that can better prepare them for college. I could have pushed myself more in high school to improve my time management, critical thinking, and communication skills, which would have helped my adaptability in college. However, I also recognize that every college journey is unique, and what works as a challenge isn’t the same for everyone.
Ryan: One thing I struggled with was time management. Once I started to write down the things I needed to do for the week and have a set schedule, I had an easier time.
What advice can you offer to other Native American/Indigenous students hoping to pursue a college degree?
Kiara: Self-comparison to others can be discouraging and harmful for young people. College challenges you to reflect on how you want to live, who you want to be, and what success means for you. Getting involved on campus and networking with other Native youth through student organizations can help you build a community, develop skills like communication and teamwork, and provide a safe space. Additionally, finding campus resources will help you navigate challenges; remember that there are people ready to support you and help you succeed.
Ryan: I would advise them to take their time during the first semester to adjust, ask questions when needed, and enjoy the friendships they build along the way.
Why is it important for people to be aware of and understand Native American heritage?
Kiara: Breaking stigmas and stereotypes can weaken their impact on Native communities and create more opportunities for future generations. Native heritage is deeply tied to identity and offers diverse perspectives that differ from Western views, providing invaluable knowledge. Cultural consciousness anywhere in the world is always beneficial because it fosters diversity.
Ryan: Without understanding the culture of past generations, we risk losing it, so it’s important to make an effort to preserve our heritage.
What are your aspirations for future Native American and Indigenous students with similar experiences?
Kiara: Education is important for growth and should be seen more as an option for Indigenous students. We are all innate students and there are so many possibilities out there to achieve what you want for yourself, the environment, your communities, and the world. We share a lot of things with those around us, and we do not walk alone. Reach out if you need help and find what works for you! If there are changes you want to make, you can initiate them and find others along the way who want to help, too.
Ryan: It is important for them to show the world what our people are made of and what they are capable of.
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