The Honors College at Southern Oregon University and Native Raider Logo
An Opportunity for Native Students
Southern Oregon University Honors College is offering Native students an opportunity to apply for the Tribal Nations Honors Scholar Initiative or the Native Pacific Island Honors Scholar Initiative. The opportunity to become a Tribal Nations or Native Pacific Island Honors Scholar is offered through a partnership between the Honors College at SOU, Native American Studies, and the Native Nations Liaison’s Office.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open for all eligible incoming freshmen seeking admission to the Honors College with a 3.5 or higher high school G.P.A. and/or a 3.25 or higher college or university G.P.A. Eligible applicants may be citizens of one of the nine Oregon tribes, and or citizens of a federally recognized tribe, have documented tribal descendancy, and/or documentation of Native Pacific Island descendancy.
What are the Benefits of Being a Tribal Nations or Native Pacific Island Honors Scholar?
- Additional Tuition Scholarship of $1,000 to add to the $2,000 Honors Award for Oregon residents or the $5,000 award for WUE and out of state residents.
- Mentorship from Native American/Native Pacific Island students and faculty
- Opportunities to “Take the Lead” on issues that matter to you
- Opportunities to mentor incoming Tribal/Native Scholars
- Additional funding in support of travel and/or training (based on director approval and availability of funds)
- Represent your tribe(s), villages, and home communities as a Tribal Nations/Native Pacific Island Honors Scholar
How to Apply
- Apply to SOU
- Apply to the Honors College
- Answer the additional essay question specific to the Tribal Nations/Native Pacific Island Honors Scholar Initiative in the online Honors application
For more information about this opportunity or for information about how to apply,
please contact Honors College Director, Dr. Cherstin Lyon at lyonc1@sou.edu
Meet our Tribal Nations and Native Pacific Island Honors Scholars
Jasmine Kaululewaonakamalei Igawa
Native Pacific Island Honors Scholar 2024-2027
Jasmine Kaululewaonakamalei Igawa was born and raised in Kane’ohe, Hawai’i and is of Native Hawaiian descent.
Learn More about Jasmine Here: Jasmine’s Story.
Avery Coffin
Tribal Nations Honor Scholar 2024-2028
Avery Coffin is an enrolled member with Cherokee Nation located in northeastern Oklahoma. She is from Eugene, Oregon and graduated from Sheldon High School.
Learn More about Avery Here: Avery’s Story.
Leila Penitusi
Native Pacific Island Honors Scholar 2024-2027
I am a proud native of American Samoa, currently a sophomore pursuing a Pre-Medical Technology major at Southern Oregon University (SOU).
Learn More about Leila Here: Leila’s Story.
Tasi Pereira
Native Pacific Island Honors Scholar 2024-2025
My name is Tasi Rosalia Pereira and I come from the villages of Leloaloa, Amerika Samoa, and Siumu, Upolu Samoa. I am a senior majoring in Political Science, minoring in Rhetoric and Reason, and part of the 2025 Honors College Cohort.
Learn More about Tasi Here: Tasi’s Story.
Kiya Jackson
Tribal Nations Honor Scholar 2022-2026
Kiya Jackson is an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes (MHA Nation), specifically Arikara, located in North Dakota. Kiya is from Medford, Oregon and graduated from South Medford High School.
Learn More about Kiya Here: Kiya’s Story.
Tiana Gilliland
Tribal Nations Honor Scholar 2021-2025
Tiana Gilliland is an enrolled member with Shasta Indian Nation and will be the second person to be a Tribal Honors Scholar in the Honors College. Tiana will be entering the Honors College at SOU as a freshman in the fall of 2021. Her tribe is located in northwestern California and southwestern Oregon and she wants to learn more about the culture of other Native Americans and share her own knowledge that she has to offer.
Learn More about Tiana Here: Tiana’s Story.
McKayla Dumore
Tribal Nations Honor Scholar 2020-2024
McKayla C. Dumore is a proud member of the Klamath and Modoc Tribes. McKayla is SOU Honors College’s first Tribal Nations Scholar.
Learn More about McKayla here: McKayla’s Story.
Contact The Honors College
SOU Honors College
Susanne Homes Hall, Room 107
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
Phone: 541.552.6400
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