Indigenous Community and Professional Involvement
Involvement in Indigenous Communities
Summer 2023, Summer 2024
Indigenous Community Garden Co-Chair
Native American Educaiton and Cultural Center, West Lafayette Parks and Recreation
Lead a group of NAECC volunteers to plant a Three Sisters Garden in the Lafayette area
Shared stories of the Three Sisters Garden and educated the community about the history during monthly garden gathering events.
See the article published by Purdue: Link
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August 2022 - Present
Greenhouse Volunteer, invited position
Growing Hope Program, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Partnered with the Growing Hope Program to harvest seeds from the Choctaw historical site in Mississippi. These seeds will be made available to tribal members in 2024.
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Spring 2022, 2023, 2024
Application Review Board, invited position
Chahta Foundation, Durant, OK
Read, evaluated, and provided feedback for scholarship applications from high-school, undergraduate, and graduate students
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Spring 2023
Scholarship Reviewer, invited position
American Indian Science and Engineering Society
Read, evaluated, and provided feedback for scholarship applications from high-school, undergraduate, and graduate students
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October 2022
15th Anniversary Celebration Planning Committee
Native American Education and Cultural Center, Purdue University
Helped plan outreach events for the Center, including birch bark canoe making, beading, and ribbon skirt making
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January 2021 - Dec 2021
Purdue Student Representative
Advisory Council, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership
Organized networking events (in-person and virtual) for the Alfred P. Sloan scholars.
Lead meetings between the nine Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership Institutions
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January 2021 - Present
Treasurer and Member
Purdue University Chapter, American Indian Science and Engineering Society
Applied for (and received) funding for Mental Health Action Week ($1500)
Organized two yearly fundraisers for the club ($200 each).
Helped organize the inaugural powwow for 2024.
Involvement in the Research Community
July 2024
Invited Guest of the Sherwood Initiative Session
Plant Health 2024, American Phytopathological Society
Strategic development meeting for increasing support to key underrepresented groups in the field of Plant Pathology using the new Marie and John Sherwood Fund for the Engagement of Underrepresented Minorities.
The initiative also aims to foster interinstitutional collaborations, curriculum development, and programming for MSIs.
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Spring 2022 - Present
Trainee Engagement Team (2024), Treasurer (2023) and Member
Center for Plant Biology - Trainee Association
Purdue University
Assisted in amending the organization’s constitution to support graduate student needs.
Implemented the Half-Baked Seminar Series for student practice talks.
Helped plan the Center for Plant Biology 2023 Spring Retreat
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October 2023
Co-Chair (External Logistics) of the 7th Annual Plant Science Symposium
Purdue University College of Agriculture
Collaborated as team leader and representative to the Chair for my sub-committees.
Aided with all symposium functions, including coordinating public relations (social media, apparel, registration, poster abstract compilation) and hospitality (food, transportation).
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November 2022
Outreach Committee Leader of the 6th Annual Plant Science Symposium
Purdue University College of Agriculture
Collaborated as team leader and representative to the Chair for my sub-committees.
Aided with all symposium functions by coordinating public relations - social media, apparel, and registration.
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October 2022
15th Anniversary Celebration Planning Committee
Native American Education and Cultural Center, Purdue University
Helped plan outreach events for the Center, including birch bark canoe making, beading, and ribbon skirt making
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Spring 2020 - Fall 2023
Secretary (2023), Vice President (2022), Public Relations (2021), and Member
Botany and Plant Pathology Organization
Communicated with members, department representatives, and the community.
Organized fundraisers for professional development grants (more than $10,000)
Organized career development series: Planning for a Career in Academia
Started travel award for graduate students: Chunhua Legacy Travel Award ($1000 /year)
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