NPI SITE LITE

Anjeliq Pinn is a dedicated Native American student known for her unwavering commitment to supporting fellow students in their journey through higher education. Her passion for helping others stems from her own experiences, as she adeptly navigated the challenges of pursuing academic excellence while embracing her cultural identity. Anjeliq's determination and empathy make her a valuable advocate for her peers, inspiring them to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Avory Wyatt is the Project Coordinator for the Retention of American Indians Now! (RAIN!) and just finished the second year of his Master’s program in American Indian Studies. He is Washoe and Northern Paiute and grew up on the Hungry Valley Reservation which is located about thirty minutes outside of Reno, Nevada. Prior to attending UCLA, Avory co-founded a college outreach program in partnership with the Nevada Department of Indian Education and he served as an assistant producer for the award winning, Native Nevada Podcast - a series featured on Nevada’s NPR affiliate station on the culture, issues, and perseverance of Nevada’s Indigenous Peoples. In his free time, he loves watching football, going on walks, and trying out new food spots in LA. 

Outside of academia, Avory is a land defender, water protector, and social justice activist who has worked closely with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous movements alike

Ella is a 4th year student and 2nd year transfer majoring in Sociology. She is a member of the Sac and Fox nation tribe.  Originally she is  from Thousand Oaks and transferred from Moorpark College. Currently Ella works for RAIN! (Retention of American Indians Now) which is a student run retention program at UCLA and is going to be the Outreach Coordinator for AIR (American Indian Recruitment) this Fall. 

Josh Lyda is Chickasaw and transferred to UCLA from Palomar College in Fall 2017. Josh was involved in the American Indian Student Association (AISA) during his two years at UCLA. After graduating in Spring 2019, Josh began his role as Project Coordinator for Retention of American Indians Now! (RAIN!) at UCLA. Josh held this position for four years helping Native American and Pacific Islander students graduate from UCLA. During his third year as Project Coordinator, Josh became involved in the American Indian Alumni at UCLA and became their Co-President. After concluding his fourth year with RAIN!, Josh has transitioned back into student life and is now pursuing a Masters in Public Policy at UCLA starting Fall 2023.

Malia ‘Otuhiva is a first-generation Tongan-American transfer student from Hayward, CA, in the Bay Area. She graduated this last spring from UCLA with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Education Studies. During her time at UCLA, she was heavily involved within the Pacific Islands’ Student Association, the Pacific Islander Education and Retention project, and the Center for Community College Partnerships, assuming pivotal leadership roles as well. Malia's journey is fueled by a fervent commitment to education and equity, passionate about igniting change with each step she takes.

Papu Togafau graduated from UCLA in 2020 with a degree in sociology. He was raised in the city of San Bernardino and although he is not a transfer, he has spent a lot of time involved in providing resources and support for Pacific Islander students trying to pursue Higher Education and better circumstances in life. He also loves anime so if that is a shared interest, make sure to reach out to him at the event so you can discuss top tier anime choices.

Sydney transferred from Cypress College with an Associates Degree in Political Science. She is currently a second year transfer at UCLA studying Political Science with a minor in Environmental Systems and Society. She was a CCCP Scholar in 2021 as part of the SITE PLUS cohort and now serves as a peer advisor with CCCP. She has been involved in student government at her community college and here at UCLA. Currently Sydney is the co-chair of the Transfer Leadership Coalition at UCLA, PISA’s treasurer and transfer yield coordinator, co-founder of the Maunakea Protectors here at UCLA, and the coordinator for UC SEED at UCLA. Sydney has also participated in the Bruin Leaders Project, the Chancellors LINK program, and UCLA’s student leadership academy. She is interested in government, law, and nonprofit work.