Skip to main content

Scott Willie: Serving His Native American Community



Scott Willie, a member of the Navajo Nation tribe and a first-generation college student, had a difficult start in his path to a higher education. When he first began attending college in his home state of New Mexico, he found himself baffled by simple questions such as, “When and how do you tell your professor that you have to miss class?” 

Additionally, Willie struggled with financial hurdles that prevented him from attending college for a short time. “I had to choose between going to school and buying food,” he explains.

Through hard work, Willie ultimately overcame his early challenges as a college student. He moved to Utah in 2016, and he is now an SLCC student majoring in biology. Willie is also currently working as a program coordinator for a University of Utah study that seeks to determine why Native Americans are more susceptible to certain diseases, including diabetes, obesity and kidney failure.

Willie credits his success, in part, to being awarded a Zumbro Family Scholarship.  The Zumbro Family Scholarship offers two awards annually of $2,500 each to SLCC Native American students who are members of a Utah tribe and are working to obtain a two-year degree.

As part of his future plans, Willie has decided he wants to focus on public health issues so he can help others in his Native American community, many of whom don’t have access to health care services. “My grandmother, who is a healer in my community, helped me to understand that I want to help people,” he says. “The Zumbro Family Scholarship will help me to complete my educational plan.”

Willie is also glad to be at a diverse school such as SLCC, and he believes he benefits from learning at an institution that knows how to serve underrepresented populations and first-generation students. “SLCC helps students to see themselves as leaders and problem solvers in their communities,”  he says.

Willie has some words of advice for his fellow first-generation college students who are attending SLCC:

·       Talk to your family and let them know you want to be a college student and pursue your own dreams and goals.

·       Meet with your advisors and counselors to let them know about your circumstances and any obstacles you may be facing in your school or home life.

·       Find groups and organizations you’d like to join to make your college experience more meaningful.

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

SLCC's Undergraduate Annual Research Conference Registration Deadline

Salt Lake Community College’s annual Undergraduate Projects, Performances, Presentations, and Research Conference (UP3RC) is set to take place on April 2, at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus, offering students a chance to showcase their academic achievements, fostering a culture of intellectual exchange.  The UP3RC is an annual event designed to celebrate and highlight the academic accomplishments of undergraduate students. It provides a supportive environment for students to share their work, hone their presentations skills, receive constructive feedback, and engage in meaningful discussions with their peers and faculty. All SLCC departments and programs, including faculty and staff, are encouraged to support and visit the day of the event. Students with their poster from last year's UPRC event “The goal of this event is to make sure every school and student is given the opportunity to participate,” says Dr. Kamal Bewar, interim director of the STEM Learning Center, who is chairin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Rev Up Your Future at SLCC Annuals Hop into College

SLCC West Valley Center will be opening its doors on Friday, August 2, from 6-9 pm for their annual lowrider event that celebrates the automotive culture and welcomes current, past, and future Bruins into the SLCC community. This unique event allows lowriders to showcase their vehicles and for spectators to witness the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that goes into a lowrider car. From the sleek custom paint jobs to the impressive hydraulics showcased at the hop-off, attendees get immersed in the vibrant culture created by SLCC West Valley’s community. Beyond the car show, Hop into College provides prospective students and their families the opportunity to explore SLCC, engage with their future peers, staff and faculty and obtain valuable insight into the degrees and programs offered. Furthermore, the community is provided with countless beneficial resources not only as an SLCC student but as a community member. Whether interested in learning more about the lowrider community o...
Post a Comment
Read more

HB 261 and HB 257 Frequently Asked Questions

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students: The Utah Legislature recently passed two bills that significantly impact higher education:  HB 261  Equal Opportunity Initiatives and HB  257  Sex-Based Designations for Privacy, Anti-Bullying, and Women’s Opportunities. Salt Lake Community College is deeply committed to our students, faculty, and staff. We strive to be a place where all are welcomed and respected. While there are many unknowns about the ultimate effect these bills will have on some student and staff support programs, be assured that SLCC will maintain an environment where all can find success and feel a sense of belonging. In the coming months, college leadership will work to gain clarity and determine the changes necessary for legislative compliance. We will also share this information as it becomes available.  We realize that during this time, some in our college community may feel unsettled and stressed. We encourage you to make use of available SLCC resourc...
Post a Comment
Read more