Jessica Solyom
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Arizona State University School of Social Transformation P.O. Box 871108 Tempe, AZ 85287-1108
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Mail code: 4603Campus: Tempe
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Jessica Solyom is an Assistant Research Professor in the School of Social Transformation. She is Affiliate Faculty at the Center for Indian Education where she has helped co-direct and co-design culturally relevant, respectful, and responsive education programs and research for Indigenous communities. Dr. Solyom brings with her a wealth of knowledge about Indigenous education, sovereignty and self-determination, culturally respectful research practices, critical culturally responsive education, and team building. Her research focuses on equity, belonging, and education justice particularly for Indigenous, Latino, and other historically underserved student populations and has been featured in various academic journal outlets including the Journal of American Indian Education, Theory into Practice, the American Journal of Education. She is the co-author of Postsecondary Education for American Indian and Alaska Natives: Higher Education for Nation Building and Self-Determination (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass).
Dr. Solyom’s research is generally inspired by a focus on Critical Race Theory, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, and Critical Indigenous Research Methodologies with an emphasis on intersectionality and learning. She has taught courses on these topics at various universities. Her courses and pedagogy highlight culturally responsive education, learner-centered education, social movements, and culturally relevant research practices as a tool to promote social equity and enhance the mental, social, and intellectual wellbeing of diverse communities.
With over 20 years’ experience working in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) serving programs and initiatives. She is co-creator of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion education series To Be Welcoming, created in partnership with Starbucks Global Academy. This series introduces learners to current discussions about bias, empathy, and dialogue as it relates to DEIB in professional and personal environments. Since launching in 2020, this public learning series’ has been engaged by over 94,000 learners across the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.
Previously Dr. Solyom served as Associate Director of the Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology (CGEST) where she helped direct and design culturally responsive research and programming to increase DEIB in STEM for girls of color - particularly Indigenous learners in the US. Currently, she serves as Assistant Research Professor in the School of Social Transformation where she teaches doctoral-level courses for the Women & Gender Studies program and Master in Indigenous Education Program. She is the co‐creator of CGEST’s CompuGirls: Cybersecurity Warriors program which prepares Indigenous girls in the U.S. and Hawaii to become thought leaders in STEM. Dr. Solyom earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees in Interpersonal Communication and Critical Cultural Studies from the University of Utah.
Doctor of Philosophy, Justice & Social Inquiry, Arizona State University
Dissertation: The (in)visibility paradox: A case study of American Indian iconography and student resistance in higher education
Master of Arts, Communication (Interpersonal & Critical Cultural Studies), University of Utah.
Bachelor of Science, Communication (Interpersonal), University of Utah
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (in the workplace and in higher education)
Student activism, media, & education justice
Race, Law, and Justice (Critical Race Theory, Latino/a Critical Race Theory, Tribal Critical Race Theory)
Qualitative Research Methods, Critical Indigenous Research Methodologies, Ethnography
Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Doctoral Writing and Proposal Development
Books
Brayboy, B. McK. J., Fann, A., Castagno, A.E. and Solyom, J.A. (2012). Postsecondary Education for American Indian and Alaska Natives: Higher Education for Nation Building and Self-Determination. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Peer-reviewed Journal Articles
Chin, J.A., Bustamante, N., Solyom, J.A., & Brayboy, B.McK.J. (2016). Exodus amnesia: Tribal citizenship, sovereignty, and education. Theory into Practice, 55(1), 28-38.
Brayboy, B.McK.J., Solyom, J.A., & Castagno, A.E. (2015). Indigenous peoples in higher education. Journal of American Indian Education, 54(1), 154-186.
Brayboy, B.McK.J., Castagno, A.E., & Solyom, J.A. (2014). Looking into the hearts of Native peoples: Nation building as an institutional orientation for higher education. American Journal of Education 120, 575-596.
Solyom, J.A. (2012). Tearing at the seams of (in)visibility: Anti-counterfeiting, Harper’s Bazaar, and the project of neocolonization. Kaleidoscope, 11, 59-86.
Solyom, J.A. & Brayboy, B. McK. J. (2012). Memento Mori: Policing the minds and bodies of Indigenous Latinas/os in Arizona. California Western International Law Journal, 42(2), 473-507.
Solyom, J., Chin, J., & Ryujin, K. (2007). “Be careful what you ask for: Educación para todos/as, the perils and the power.” Nevada Law Journal, 7(3), 862-882.
Book Chapters
Ben, C. & Solyom, J. (In press – expected publication date May 2022). How unique ways of knowing, being, and learning contribute to persistence factors among underrepresented graduate students. Handbook for Supporting Today’s Graduate Students. Stylus Publishing.
Solyom, J.A., Singer, S.H., Kline, K., McInnes, L., & Smith, M.L. (2021). Chapter 1.4 Survivance through Digital Storytelling: How Indigenous girls used a virtual camp to explore the Covid-19 pandemic (pp. 17-24). Ward, M. F., Sandlin, J., Vlahoulis, M. M. and Holman, C. (editors). The Pandemic Reader: Pedagogies of social (in)justice through the COVID-19 pandemic. New York: DIO Press, Inc.
Madkins, T.C., Thomas, J.O., Solyom, J., Goode, J. & McAlear, F. (2020). Learner-centered and culturally relevant pedagogy. In S. Grover (ed.), Computer science in K-12: An A-Z handbook on teaching programming. Edfinity.
Bustamante, N. & Solyom, J. (2019). Niceness and student erasure: The historical implications of performative niceness. In A. Castagno (ed.), The price of nice: How niceness perpetuates educational inequity. University of Minnesota Press.
Solyom, J.A., Brayboy, B.McK.J., Chin, J.A., Poleviyuma, A. (2019). Systems of support: What institutions of higher education can do for Indigenous communities. In E. A. McKinley & L. Tuhiwai Smith (Eds.), Handbook of Indigenous Education. New York: Springer.
Castagno, A.E., Solyom, J.A., & Brayboy, B. McK. J. (2018). Indigenous youth, colonization, and whiteness: The imperative for culturally responsive schooling. In Critical Pedagogies Handbook.
Solyom, J.A. (2016). In defense of education justice: Postsecondary institutional decision-making for American Indian programs and services. In J. Conner and S.M. Rosen (Eds.) Contemporary Youth Activism: Advancing Social Justice in the United States. Praeger.
Brayboy, B. McK. J., Gough, H.R., Leonard, B., Roehl, R.F. & Solyom, J.A. (2012). Reclaiming scholarship: Critical Indigenous research methodologies. In S.D. Lapan, ML.T Quartoli & F.J. Riemer (Eds.), Qualitative Inquiry. San Franscisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Scott, K.A. & Solyom, J. (2011). Teaching urban education versus conducting research in urban schools. In K.A. Scott & W.J. Blanchett (Eds.), Research in urban educational settings: Lessons learned and implications for future practice. Charlotte, NC: IAP.
Professional Reports
Brayboy, B.M.J & Solyom, J. (co-leads), Chin, J., Tachine, A., Bang, M., Bustamante, N., Ben, C., Myles, C., & Poleviyuma, A. (2016). RISE: A study of Indigenous men and boys. Report prepared for The Center for the Study of Race & Equity in Education, Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania.
Solyom, J., & Bustamante, N. (2013). In-state or tuition waiver incentives for American Indian students offered by U.S. colleges or universities. Report prepared for the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the Center for Indian Education, Arizona State University.**
**This report was used by Regent LuAnn Leonard in 2013 to successfully argue for a change in policy to grant in-state tuition to students who are enrolled members of one of Arizona’s federally recognized Native American tribes.
Works in Progress
Brayboy, B.McK. J., Solyom, J., Bustamante, N. & Chin, J.A. Connecting race, culture, power and schooling for American Indian students.
Solyom, J.A. & Ben. C. Culturally relevant schooling for Indigenous students at the secondary and postsecondary level: Recommendations and implications for practice during the time of Covid.
Ben, C. & Solyom, J.A. Nation-building through education: Implications for capacity-building in Indian country.
Ben, C. & Solyom, J.A. Indigenous futures and cybersecurity: Considerations for a five-year pathway to building capacity in STEM in higher education.
Courses
2025 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
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AIS 580 | Practicum |
AIS 599 | Thesis |
AIS 499 | Individualized Instruction |
AIS 595 | Continuing Registration |
AIS 493 | Honors Thesis |
AIS 590 | Reading and Conference |
AIS 492 | Honors Directed Study |
IED 592 | Research |
IED 585 | Capstone |
2024 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
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JUS 590 | Reading and Conference |
JUS 790 | Reading and Conference |
JUS 792 | Research |
JUS 799 | Dissertation |
WST 792 | Research |
IED 592 | Research |
IED 585 | Capstone |
IED 590 | Reading and Conference |
2024 Summer
Course Number | Course Title |
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JUS 799 | Dissertation |
IED 592 | Research |
IED 585 | Capstone |
2024 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
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JUS 790 | Reading and Conference |
JUS 792 | Research |
WST 790 | Reading and Conference |
JUS 792 | Research |
JUS 799 | Dissertation |
JUS 792 | Research |
2023 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
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JUS 790 | Reading and Conference |
JUS 799 | Dissertation |
WST 790 | Reading and Conference |
IED 592 | Research |
IED 585 | Capstone |
2023 Summer
Course Number | Course Title |
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JUS 790 | Reading and Conference |
2023 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
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JUS 792 | Research |
JUS 792 | Research |
2022 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
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JUS 799 | Dissertation |
IED 592 | Research |
IED 585 | Capstone |
2022 Summer
Course Number | Course Title |
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JUS 799 | Dissertation |
2022 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
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JUS 792 | Research |
IED 592 | Research |
IED 585 | Capstone |
WST 701 | Resrch Design & Prop Dev |
2021 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
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JUS 792 | Research |
IED 592 | Research |
IED 585 | Capstone |
2021 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
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WST 690 | Reading and Conference |
IED 592 | Research |
IED 585 | Capstone |
2020 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
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JUS 799 | Dissertation |
2020 Spring
Course Number | Course Title |
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WST 790 | Reading and Conference |
IED 592 | Research |
IED 585 | Capstone |
SST 691 | Seminar |
2019 Fall
Course Number | Course Title |
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SST 691 | Seminar |
JUS 432 | Racial Justice |
JUS 432 | Racial Justice |
Academic Conferences
Ben, C. & Solyom, J. (April 8-9, 2021). How Indigenous Communities Define Culturally Responsive Schooling, Session Code: 486. 2021 Native American Student Advocacy Institute (NASAI) virtual conference.
Ben, C. & Solyom, J. (June 4-5, 2020). How Indigenous communities’ define Culturally Responsive Schooling, Session Code: 486. Native American Student Advocacy Institute (NASAI). Phoenix, Arizona (Host: Gila River Indian Community). Conference cancelled due to Covid-19 global pandemic.
Dace, K., Ryujin, K., Solyom, J., Spotted Elk, G., Villareal, M. & Brayboy, B. (May 28, 2020). Frustration, Abandonment & Retaliation: Confronting the Aftermath of Multiple Diverse Leadership Departures. National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in American Higher Education. New York, NY. Conference cancelled due to Covid-19 global pandemic.
Richmond, A., Abuwandi, S., Tachine, A. & Solyom, J. (June 6, 2018). Nation-building through education: Implications for Native men and boys. Annual gathering of Native American Student Advocacy Institute (The College Board). Honolulu, HI.
Solyom, J.A., Ben, C., Tachine, A., Chin, J. & Brayboy, B. (April 14, 2018). Strengths based principles for improving educational outcomes for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian males. Co-presenter. Annual gathering of the American Education Research Association. New York, NY.
Solyom, J.A. (April 30, 2017). Presenter. Contemporary youth activism: Advancing social justice in the United States. Annual gathering of the American Education Research Association. Austin, TX.
Solyom, J.A. (September 21, 2012). Presenter. Tearing at the seams of (in)visibility: Anti- counterfeiting, Harper’s Bazaar, and the project of neocolonization. Critiquing Culture Conference. George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
Solyom, J.A. (April 28, 2011). Co-Presenter. Knowing your place: Examining the academic, social, and political costs of student resistance. Women of Color Leadership Conference. University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO.
Solyom, J.A. (October 7, 2011). Presenter. Painting racism by numbers: Legislating memory and identity in Arizona through SB 1070 and HB 2281. Annual conference on Latina & Latino Critical Legal Theory. San Diego, CA.
Solyom, J.A. (October 6, 2006). Co-Presenter and Moderator. Protesting the academy: Social activism among Utah Latino/a & other student communities. Annual conference on Latina & Latino Critical Legal Theory. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV.
Invited Lectures, Webinars, and Discussions
Solyom, J. (December 3, 2021). Keynote Address: Engaging in effective community partnerships: 20 principles to guide partnerships as shared by Indigenous community leaders. Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Fellows Learning Series. Virtual zoom event.
Solyom, J., Fitts-Ward, M., Brayboy, B.M.K., Hidalgo, E. & Symond, S. (April 9, 2021). What is DEI and why should it matter to non-profit organizations? Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust Fellows Learning Series. Virtual zoom event.
Fitts-Ward, M. & Solyom, J. (April 20, 2020). “Points Of View: Why Minorities Are Hit Worst By Coronavirus,” Featured commentator, KJZZ 91.5 FM. Phoenix, AZ. Available at: https://theshow.kjzz.org/content/1536306/points-view-why- minorities-are-hit-worst-coronavirus.
Solyom. J.A., Ben, C., & Henderson Singer, S. (January 30, 2020). Power & Place: Finding strength in Indigenous knowledges and identity. RECHARGE conference. Arizona State University.
Solyom, J.A. & Fitts Ward, M. (May 1, 2020). To Be Welcoming Live session. Starbucks PA Partners gathering. Starbucks virtual zoom event.
Solyom, J.A. (October 17, 2019). Bias and empathy: The role of diversity and inclusion in promoting social change. Service fellows + ASU. Starbucks Headquarters.
Solyom, J.A. (September 2 – 7, 2019). Starbucks Leadership Experience. To Be Welcoming. Featured subject matter expert key presenter. Chicago, Illinois.
Solyom. J.A., Ben, C., & Henderson Singer, S. (Spring 2019). Power & Place: Finding strength in Indigenous knowledges and identity. INSPIRE conference. Arizona State University.
Brayboy, B. McK.J., Solyom, J.A., & Tachine, A.R. (September 13, 2017). National Webinar. Culturally responsive schooling. National Indian Education Association.
Solyom, J.A. (October 28, 2016). Presenter and workshop facilitator. Using Indigenous knowledges and research methodologies to serve the cultural and community needs around you. Indigenous Theories of Justice seminar. Arizona State University.
Solyom, J.A. (2016). Lecture. Engaging the research process with the goal of relevance and respect: One example. Advanced Qualitative Research Methods seminar. Arizona State University.
Solyom, J.A. (May 5, 2015). Presenter. The (in)visibility paradox: A case study of American Indian iconography and student resistance in higher education. Staff/Faculty Research Exchange. Te Pua Wānanga Ki Te Ao, The School of Māori and Pacific Development, The University of Waikato, New Zealand.
Solyom, J.A. (February 2, 2015). Lecture. Engaging the research process with the goal of relevance and respect: One example. Advanced Qualitative Research Methods seminar. Arizona State University.
Solyom, J.A. (September 10, 2014). Lecture. Engaging the research process with the goal of relevance and respect: One example. Advanced Qualitative Research Methods seminar. Arizona State University.
Solyom, J.A. (May 11, 2012). Moderator. The story of our lives: Myths, myths, and more myths about women of color. Women of Color Leadership Conference. University of Missouri- Kansas City, Kansas City, MO.
Solyom, J.A. (May 10, 2012). Discussant. Who Am I?: Debunking myths about women of color, co-presenter. Women of Color Leadership Conference. University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO.
Solyom, J.A. (April 28, 2011). Panelist. Post Graduation. Women of Color Leadership Conference. University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO.
Solyom, J.A. (July 18, 2008). Guest speaker. Loud & clear: Cult of celebrity, RadioActive! KRCL 90.0 FM. Salt Lake City, UT.
Solyom, J.A. (January 26, 2006). Panelist. Embodying Whiteness in the college classroom. Communicating Whiteness Symposium. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.
Solyom, J.A. (2006). Panelist. The Writing Center Manual: Creating and publishing a tutoring manual for the writing center—the writing center guide for new tutors. 12th Annual Rocky Mountain Peer Tutoring Conference. Rocky Mountain Writing Center Association, Utah Valley State University, Orem, Utah.
ASU Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award, Outstanding Doctoral Mentor nominee, 2020
Ford Foundation Fellowship, Honorable Mention, 2013 & 2014
Graduate Completion Fellow, ASU
Pete Suazo Social Justice Award (awarded to the Center for the Study of Empowered Students of Color, directors and staff), College of Social Work, University of Utah, 2007
Utah Opportunity Scholar, University of Utah, 2001-2005
American Anthropological Association
American Association of University Women
American Education Research Association
Center for Indian Education, Arizona State University, Affiliate Faculty
Center for Gender Equity in Science & Technology, Arizona State University, Affiliate Faculty
Native American Student Advocacy Institute, The College Board
National Indian Education Association
Academic Advisement activities (graduate and/or honors)
Lorenzo Chavez, Education Leadership & Policy, NAU, 2021-present; committee member
Lydia McInnes, Women & Gender Studies, ASU, 2020-2021; research mentor
Delores Greyeyes, Justice & Social Inquiry, ASU, 2016-2018; research advisor
Annabell Bowen, Justice & Social Inquiry, ASU, 2016-present; dissertation committee co-chair
Sharon Henderson Singer, Justice & Social Inquiry, ASU, 2016-2019; dissertation committee co-chair
Lamont Yazzie, Justice & Social Inquiry, ASU, 2016-present; dissertation committee co-chair
Cheron Watchman, Justice & Social Inquiry, ASU, 2016-present; dissertation committee co-chair
Colin Ben, Education Leadership Studies, University of Utah, 2016; research mentor during pre-doctoral fellowship residency
Sarah Abuwandi, Justice & Social Inquiry, ASU, 2019; master's thesis committee member
Cecilia Marek, American Indian Studies, ASU, 2019; master's thesis co-chair
Kiara Weathersby, Master's in Indigenous Education, ASU, 2020; capstone committee chair
Heather Lopez, Master's in Indigenous Education, ASU, 2020; capstone committee chair
Emily Scissons, Master's in Indigenous Education, ASU, 2021; capstone committee chair
Nadine Whitecloud, Master's in Indigenous Education, ASU, 2021; capstone committee chair
Denise Neal, Master's in Indigenous Education, ASU, 2021; capstone committee chair
Desiree Aguilar, Master's in Indigenous Education, ASU, 2021; capstone committee chair
Elyssa Sierra Concha, Master's in Indigenous Education, ASU, 2021; capstone committee chair
Chamy Halliday, Master's in Indigenous Education, ASU, 2021; capstone committee chair
Kiliona Palauni, Master's in Indigenous Education, ASU, 2021; capstone committee chair
Alexis Syrette, Master's in Indigenous Education, ASU, 2021; capstone committee chair
Leo Thompson Christopherson, Master's in Indigenous Education, ASU, 2021; capstone committee chair
Shania Valentine, 2021; Master's in Indigenous Education, ASU, capstone committee chair
Barrett Honors (undergraduate)
Megan Tom; committee member and advisor
Professional Research Supervision
Undergraduate
Hope Honani, 2021-present
Alexus Richmond, 2019-2020
Megan Tom, 2019-2020
Savannah Jacobs, 2019-2020
Mariah McGhee, 2019-2020
Ci’mone Rogers, 2020*
Xuan Nguyen, 2020*
Ruby Ramirez, 2020*
Graduate
Sarah Abuwandi, 2018-2019
Nicholas Bustamante, 2018-2020
Lydia McInnes, 2020
Kai Kline, 2020
Post-Doctoral
Colin Ben, 2018-2020
Jeremiah Chin, 2018-2020
Sharon Henderson Singer, 2020
Other
Hannah Duncan, 2018-2019
Nosizo Lukhele, Bennington College, 2019
Sierra Fales, Bennington College, 2019
Sophia Casten, Smith College, 2019
Assistant Research Professor 02/2017 – Present
School of Social Transformation, Arizona State University
Associate Director/Director of Operations 06/2019 – 11/2020
Center for Gender Equity in Science & Technology, Arizona State University
Adjunct Faculty & Senior Doctoral Chair 8/2015 – 3/2020
College of Doctoral Studies, Grand Canyon University
Postdoctoral Research Fellow 8/2014 – 1/2017
Center for Indian Education, Arizona State University
Senior Research Associate 6/2014 – 8/2014
Center for Indian Education, School of Social Transformation, Arizona State University
Program Coordinator 8/2013 – 12/2013
Project Mashchamtam, Center for Indian Education, Arizona State University
Senior Research Associate & Graduate Teaching Assistant 1/2011 – 8/2013
Center for Indian Education, School of Social Transformation, Arizona State University
Graduate Teaching Assistant 8/2010 – 12/2010
Justice & Social Inquiry, School of Social Transformation, Arizona State University
Academic Mentor & Graduate Research Assistant 6/2009 – 7/2010
Project Maschamtam, Center for Indian Education, Arizona State University
Program Liaison & Graduate Research Assistant 1/2009 – 5/2009
COMPUGIRLS, Fulton Institution and Graduate School of Education, Arizona State University
Academic Advisor 1/2008 – 12/2008
TRiO/Upward Bound, University of Utah
Navajo Nation Doctoral Cohort, Advisory Board & Selections Committee, member, 2016-present.
Master’s in Indigenous Education, Advisory Board, member, 2018-present.
Social Transformation Initiatives Ad Hoc Committee, committee member, 2020.
LEEDS School of Business Diversity & Ethics case competition, guest judge, University of Colorado – Boulder, 2016, 2018-2020.
Women of Color and Computing Conference - Wahine: Culturally responsive catalysts. Steering committee member, 2020.
Inclusive Mindset and DEI, subject matter expert for ASU’s ADVANCE project, 2019.
Arizona State University Doing Research in Indian Country Conference, Advisory Board, member, 2019.
Division J Vice Presidential Session: Power, People, and Place: Linking Indigenous place to belonging in education, Chair, American Education Research Association Annual Conference, 2018
Turning Points: A Guide to Native Student Success magazine, Copy Editor, 2016
Women Education Scholars and Their Children’s Schooling, Reviewer, 2015
Journal of American Indian Education, Reviewer, 2013
Journal of American Indian Education, Guest Managing Editor, 2011
Journal of American Indian Education, Reviewer, 2011
Journal of Research in Rural Education, Reviewer, 2010
National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education, National Advisory Committee (student appointment), 2007