ABQ Journal: APS Native College Night

It’s college night! On Monday night, roughly 35 students and their families gathered inside the Rio Grande conference room at the Albuquerque Public Schools City Center building to attend the first in a series of “College Night for Native American High School Students” learning sessions. Part of the “Being A Good Relative” Native American student success initiative, APS has partnered with Indigenous-led organizations on this program — One Generation Fund, NACA Inspired Schools Network and Americans for Indian Opportunity.

Dinée Dorame, director of media and digital storytelling for One Generation, speaks to students and families gathered for the first session of “College Night For Native American High School Students” at the Albuquerque Public Schools City Center on Monday night. Gino Gutierrez/Journal

At the first session, Dinée Dorame (Diné and Yaqui), the director of media and digital storytelling for One Generation, gave an overview of what these sessions will cover and how students can best prepare for upcoming college applications. She was inspired by an APS Board of Education resolution in 2023 that outlined the need to collaborate with partners to improve educational outcomes for Indigenous students.

Each session will focus on a different aspect of the college application process, from application essay writing to how to apply for financial aid and choosing which college and degree program is right for you. Dorame attended APS elementary, middle and high schools and said she’s happy to see a new generation of Native American students accessing this vital information before applying for college.

“I want Native students to feel empowered to search for resources and mentors and not be afraid to ask questions about the application process,” Dorame said. “The (college application) process is not built to be easy, and (students) go into it feeling a little lost. But I think having sessions like this helps students feel more comfortable.”

Dates and times for upcoming sessions have not been finalized, according to Dorame.

Read the story from the Albuquerque Journal