2026 Student Leadership Awards
Nominations are now open for the 2025-2026 NASA Student Leadership Awards.
NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS:
- Completed nomination form
- A one (1) page minimum nomination letter submitted by the nominator based on the criteria of the award.
- Nominees must be a registered student at the University of Arizona and be considered "Full Time"
- Student's will be recognized at the NASA Graduation Celebration on
- Friday, May 8, 2026 starting at 4pm
- Grand Ballroom, University of Arizona Student Union
Nomination Forms must be completed by:
Friday, April 13, 2026 by 5pm
{Qualtrics will close after 5pm on April 13, 2026)
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
- Native American Student Affairs:
University of Arizona, Robert L. Nugent Bldng., 2nd Floor, 1212 E. University Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85721
(520) 626-2084 - Talia White, NASA Interim Director
(520) 626-2084
mtwhite@arizona.edu
2025-2026 Student Leadership Awards
NASA recognizes five different categories for our leadership awards:
Outstanding First-Year Award -
Awarded to a first year student who has not earned more than 29 units and has demonstrated significant achievement as well as contributed to the establishment of the Native American community at the UA.
Outstanding Undergraduate Award -
Awarded to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated significant achievement as well as contributed to the establishment of the Native American community at the UA.
Outstanding Graduating Senior Award, also known as the “Bahti Award” -
Awarded to a senior student who has earned no less than 90 units and has demonstrated significant achievement as well as contributed to the establishment of the Native American community at the UA.
Outstanding Graduate Academic Award -
Awarded to a student who currently has an undergraduate degree and is currently enrolled into a graduate or professional program at the UA and has demonstrated significant achievement as well as contributed to the establishment of the Native American community at the UA.
Outstanding Graduate Service Award -
Awarded to a student who currently has an undergraduate degree and is enrolled into a graduate or professional program at the UA and has contributed a significant amount of service to the university, Tucson or their Tribal community
We would like to recognize the following students that were selected for the 2025 NASA Student Leadership Awards. These students have demonstrated exceptional academics and contributed to the campus community, Native American community, and overall, to the University of Arizona. Thank you for all the great work you have done to support Native American students at the University of Arizona and the commitment to your academic success.
Outstanding First-Year Student Award - Kaylyn Indian, White Mountain Apache Tribe
Outstanding First-Year Student Award - Cody Tsinnijinnie, Diné
Outstanding Undergraduate Award - Hayle Bobbie Trujillo, Nambé Pueblo
Outstanding Graduating Senior Award, also known as the “Bahti Award” - Jasmine Lopez, Tohono O'odham
Outstanding Graduate Academic Award - Angela Monetathchi, Comanche
Outstanding Graduate Service Award - Kierstyn Tsosie, Diné
2025 Student Leadership Award Recipients
Outstanding Undergraduate Award - Tommey Jodie, Diné & Clay Begay, Diné
Outstanding Graduating Senior Award, also known as the “Bahti Award” - Adrianna- Jo Halona, Diné / Hopi
Outstanding Graduate Academic Award - Kaitlyn Haskie, Diné
Outstanding Graduate Service Award - William O. Carson, Ohkay Owingeh
2024 Student Leadership Award Recipients
Outstanding First-Year Award - Jalen Harvey, Diné / Pueblo of Acoma / Hopi
Outstanding Undergraduate Award - Desbah White, Diné
Outstanding Graduating Senior Award, also known as the “Bahti Award” - Nadira Mitchell, Diné
Outstanding Graduate Academic Award - Leo Bia, Diné
Outstanding Graduate Service Award - Belen Sanchez, Tohono O'odham
2023 Student Leadership Award Recipients
Outstanding First-Year Award - Kristen Goldtooth, Diné
Outstanding Undergraduate Award - Starlivia Kaska, Havasupai
Outstanding Graduating Senior Award, also known as the “Bahti Award” - Michael Becenti, Diné
Outstanding Graduate Academic Award - Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan, Tohono O'odham
Outstanding Graduate Service Award - Christian Jimmie, Diné
2022 Student Leadership Award Recipients
Outstanding First-Year Award - Winona Littleowl, Lakhota / Tohono O'odham
Outstanding Undergraduate Award - Joshua Henry, White Mountain Apache / Diné
Outstanding Undergraduate Award - Dominic Rodriguez, Pascua Yaqui
Outstanding Graduating Senior Award, also known as the “Bahti Award” - Brendan Walker, Diné
Outstanding Graduate Academic & Service Award - Amber Morning Star Byars, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Outstanding Graduate Academic & Service Award - William O. Carson, Ohkay Owingeh
Outstanding Graduate Academic & Service Award - Dillon Dobson, Cowlitz Indian Tribe
Outstanding Graduate Service Award - Esperanza Campos, Cherokee
2021 Student Leadership Award Recipients
Outstanding First-Year Award - Tommy Jodie, Diné
Outstanding Undergraduate Award - Aaron Goldtooth, Diné
Outstanding Undergraduate Award - Kharen Morgan, Diné
Outstanding Graduating Senior Award, also known as the “Bahti Award” - Rita Valenzuela
Outstanding Graduate Academic Award - Adam Carl, Hopi / Diné
Outstanding Graduate Service Award - Michelle P. Abeyta, Diné
Outstanding Graduate Service Award - Amanda Cheromiah, Pueblo of Laguna
2020 Student Leadership Award Recipients
Outstanding First-Year Award - Nadira Mitchell, Diné
Outstanding Undergraduate Award - Brendan Walker, Diné
Outstanding Graduating Senior Award, also known as the “Bahti Award” - Adam Carl, Hopi / Diné
Outstanding Graduate Academic Award - Shannon Zullo, Diné
Outstanding Graduate Academic Award - Ravina Thuraisingam, Diné
Outstanding Graduate Service Award - Erik Peaches, Diné
Outstanding Graduate Service Award - Jeremey Gneck, Pascua Yaqui
2019 Student Leadership Award Recipients