Graduate Student Life

Full-Circle Approach

The American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program (AIISP) utilizes a full-circle approach to education. We believe in the recruitment, retention and reintroduction of our students into their respective communities. Our full-time student support specialist and administrative staff are available year-round to help our students accomplish their goals.

When you come to Cornell, you can rely on us and our established connections throughout the university to help you with your transition. We take the time to guide you through Cornell's rigorous academic programs. Additionally, we provide you and your peers with the tools necessary to balance your academic and extracurricular activities. AIISP prides itself on having one of the highest North American Indigenous student graduation rates in the nation. From hiring quality tutors to sourcing important scholarships, we are here to support you.

Student Voices

River Webb ( Nimíipuu/Nez Perce, Meskwaki/Sac and Fox) '24

“I feel so fortunate to have come to a school with a vibrant Native American Community. In Undergrad, I went to a school with little to no student engagement for Native Students. At Cornell the community is diverse and multifaceted, and I think it holds something for everyone. AISES, NAIMP, and so many more programs foster community through career building connections. AIISP has done so much to foster Native student engagement on multiple fronts. For myself, I do beadwork, ribbonwork, and dance powwow, and through IGSA I have found friends that enjoy those same things. AIISP helps foster trips to powwows and social dances, and those are the sort of things I grew up doing and love to do. It’s an experience that’s hard to find at many other schools.”

Standing beside an elevator door in red and black Native regalia, River poses alongside a photograph of their applique bandolier bag work now installed in Olin Library.

Graduate Minor in American Indian & Indigenous Studies

While earning an graduate minor in American Indian and Indigenous Studies (AIIS) you'll explore the complex histories and contemporary situations of Indigenous communities in North America and across the globe. Our faculty teach AIIS courses in diverse range of topics, including art, art history, anthropology, archaeology, education, fiber science and apparel design, law, linguistics, literature, natural resources, performing and media arts, and more.

The American Indian and Indigenous Studies (AIIS) graduate minor is available to graduate students in any field of graduate or professional study at Cornell. The minor is earned upon completion of the following:

Two required graduate-level courses, AIIS 6010 American Indian and Indigenous Speaker Series and AIIS 6000 Critical Approaches to American Indian and Indigenous Studies: Intellectual History
Selection of an AIIS Graduate Field faculty member to serve on the applicant's graduate committee

With a graduate minor in American Indian and Indigenous Studies, you are uniquely competitive as a multidisciplinary and extradisciplinary thinker. Graduate students in any discipline are encouraged to connect with our Indigenous Graduate Student Association (IGSA) chapter for community and resources. AIISP also offers a limited number of multi-year graduate student desks in Graduate Study Room located on the fourth floor of Caldwell Hall. Explore Our Alumni page to learn more about past students who integrated AIIS coursework into their graduate studies.

Complete the AIIS Graduate Minor Application to get started! You can complete the AIIS Minor Application form at any point while enrolled as a student, even if you haven't taken your first AIIS class yet!

Apply to the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Graduate Minor

Indigenous Graduate Student Association (IGSA)

Four individuals stand together and smile at the camera.

The Indigenous Graduate Student Association (IGSA) at Cornell serves as a forum for graduate students to discuss cultural, social, political, and educational concerns and to network with other Indigenous students and organizations. IGSA actively recruits students and promotes interaction between the Cornell community and Indigenous Nations.

The mission of IGSA is to foster community building among Indigenous Graduate and Professional Students and our allies, to enhance personal, academic and professional growth and development in a fun, stable, peaceful family environment and to serve as a conduit for graduate and professional student issues and concerns.

Meet IGSA President (AY 24-25) - Aspen Omapang

Meet IGSA Vice President (AY 24-25) - Crystal Fowler

Learn more about IGSA on our Student Organizations page

Learn about our Indigenous Graduate Studies students on Our Alumni page

Native American Law Student Association (NALSA)

Members of the Native American Law Student Association

The purpose of the Cornell Law School's Native American Law Student Association (NALSA) is to articulate and promote the professional needs and goals of Native Law Students and their allies; foster and encourage professional competence; focus upon the relationship of Native American Law Students, Native American Attorneys and their allies to the American legal structure; instill in every attorney and Law Student a greater awareness and commitment to the needs of the Native American community; influence the legal community to bring about meaningful change to meet the needs of Native American communities; adopt and implement a policy of economic independence; encourage law students to pursue careers in the judiciary; and do all things necessary and appropriate to accomplish these purposes.

For more information contact NALSA's President: Danielle Levanti at dl658@cornell.edu.

Learn more about NALSA on our Student Organizations page