The University of Idaho recently welcomed back alumna, Sydel Samuels, but this time as director of the Native American Student Center.
“Working with Native students was always one of the things I always enjoyed doing,” Samuels said.
Samuels has spent the past several years working in positions that focused around Native American issues, in particular the Nez Pearce Tribe in Lapwai, Idaho.
Before coming into her new position at the NASC, Samuels was working at the Women’s Outreach Program through the Nez Perce Tribe’s Social Service Department, helping women who were victims of abuse, stalking and domestic violence. Prior to that Samuels worked in the Nez Pearce Tribe’s Children’s Home. Samuels herself identifies as a member of the Nez Perce Tribe.
“I’m very personable, easy to work with but I’m also very experienced work wise,” Samuels said.
Samuels began her undergraduate studies at the Portland State University in Oregon then transferred to UI after two years. She received her undergraduate degree in family consumer science.
Samuels later came back to UI in 2010 to receive her masters in
public administration.
Samuels said that her new position as director of the NASC will require her to focus on recruitment and retention of Native American students on campus.
“The priority of course is working with the students that are on campus and meeting their needs — being able to offer a home away from home,” Samuels said.
Samuels said she is excited about the activities that the NASC will be doing in
the future.
“I really love the campus environment. I love the energy and thinking of the things we can do. I’m excited about everything that we’re going to be able to do,”
Samuels said.
Samuels said that she is also looking forward to being able to work with other departments on campus on a regular basis.
Samuels said when she lived in Oregon, a teacher once asked her what she wanted to do with her life.
“One of my teachers in Oregon asked me what I wanted to do and I said I wanted to be the director of a Native focused program,” Samuels said. “When I became a coordinator in a prior position this teacher told me, ‘Well you did it. You became what you wanted to be.'”
Samuels said seeing students succeed is what inspires her to do her best in the position she has.
“Seeing students succeed, seeing students that enjoy being here will be a measure of my success,” Samuels said.
She said in the future she hopes to be able to increase the Native American student population on the UI campus but also be able to advocate for Native American students already on campus and show that they have a voice and a presence.
“I want to help break down barriers and stereotypes with things that come along with just being diverse in general,”
Samuels said.
Iris Alatorre can be reached at [email protected]