Reno Reporter

University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) researchers will participate in a study that intends to shed light on Native American students' insights on higher education.

State data often shows Native American demographics with an asterisk or dash due to the sample size not reaching a certain metric, according to a news release from the university.

"Even if there are only 10 students, it's important to recognize that their contributions and their culture matters to the curriculum," Jafeth Sanchez, director of the Latino Research Center and associate professor of educational leadership at UNR, said in the news release.

Sanchez is collaborating with Lance West, co-founder and president of Indigenous Educators Empowerment (IEE), to confront stereotypes surrounding educational research related to Indigenous students, the news release noted. University students Paige Eriksen and Fabian Kovac, who are undergraduate research fellows, assisted in the study. A $30,000 grant from the Nevada Institute on Educator Preparation, Retention, and Research (NIEPRR) is funding the research.

The study, called "Perceptions of Higher Education Among Native Students," will begin this month, according to the news release. Sanchez, West, and their team will seek 20 Native American high school students in Nevada and ask for their thoughts regarding their educational experiences.

Eriksen and Kovac will conduct interviews with the students in a peer-to-peer research setting, the news release noted. They will also speak to a family member or mentor – "someone who has understanding and influence in the high schooler's life" – to provide context. Through these interviews, the researchers will gain insight into the students' perceptions of higher education and why they choose to attend or not attend college after high school.