Participating in clubs and organizations is an enjoyable part of the Cornell experience. Among the hundreds of clubs and organizations on campus, the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program (AIISP) advises four Indigenous-related student-led organizations. We encourage students to become involved in one or more of these organizations.
About the organizations
Native American and Indigenous Students at Cornell (NAISAC) is the Native and Indigenous undergraduate student voice on campus. NAISAC provides a forum for students to discuss issues that concern them as Indigenous peoples. This student organization promotes awareness of Native cultures and issues on campus and in Indigenous communities across Indian Country. Many NAISAC members have been active or are currently involved in university boards and have seats on program committees that influence policies and procedures within the student service administration. We encourage Native and Indigenous students at Cornell to join us in our many activities throughout the year.
NAISAC Leadership (2023)
- Co-President - Peter Iotenerah’tate:nion Thais
- Co-President - Cannon Cline
- Vice President - GraceKelly Fulton
- Secretary - Charlie Hernandez
- Treasurer - Aidan Solomon
- Internal Relations - Grant Whitman
- External Relations - Ally Bentley
- Alumni Affairs Chair - Colby Yazzie
- Events Chair - Taylor Heaton
- Media Chair - Yanenowi Logan
American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) is a student organization that meets to discuss various areas of interest within the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Our vision for Cornell’s AISES chapter is to be the new generation of educated Native leaders who will study and contribute to the building of Indigenous communities. Our ultimate goal is to be a catalyst for the advancement of American Indian scholars in science and technology.
AISES provides students with numerous ways to develop professionally by offering scholarships, mentorship, internships and more. Additionally, students have the opportunity to attend the AISES national conference every year, which provides excellent opportunities for students to network with other Native students from across the country and to develop rewarding relationships with professionals in the STEM field.
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.
IGSA Leadership (Fall 2023)
- Co-Chair - krd78 [at] cornell.edu (Kaitlin Diggins)
- Co-Chair - mlz32 [at] cornell.edu (Marina Johnson-Zafiris)
Membership
IGSA members are from a number of Indigenous Nations and Cornell University graduate programs. To become a member of IGSA or for more information please contact aiisp [at] cornell.edu.
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: Angelo D'Ercole at apd77 [at] cornell.edu.
NALSA Leadership (2023)
- apd77 [at] cornell.edu (Angelo D'Ercole) - President
- Orion Hicks - Vice President
- Oscar F. Ruiz - Treasurer
- Tyler Felts - Secretary
NALSA and Cornell Law
- National NALSA
- Native American Bar Association
- Native American Rights Fund
- Turtle Talk
- Pre-Law Summer Institute/American Indian Law Center
- LSAT and Applications
About Cornell Law
Cornell Law School (CLS) is a small, top-tier law school located in Myron Taylor Hall. We enroll only 195-199 JD students and 60-70 graduate LL.M. students each year to ensure that we maintain a close-knit academic environment. CLS students not only benefit from our small class size but also from one of the lowest student to faculty ratios in legal education. We encourage you to visit Cornell Law School's website.
Interested in applying?
Feel free to contact a NALSA executive board member for more information or contact the Office of Admissions at lawadmit [at] lawschool.cornell.edu or (607) 255-5141.
Indigenous Graduate Student Association (IGSA) members at a welcome back gathering on the front lawn of Akwe:kon to kick off the fall 2022 semester.
Pre-Missing and Murdered Indigenous Woman & People fundraising run done by members of NAISAC. Professor Michael Charles (Diné) joins them.
PhD student, Marina Johnson-Zafiris (Mohawk) addresses the audience at the NALSA Tribal Law Summit in April 2023.
Students pose with Joy Harjo (Muscogee (Creek) Nation) at the AISES Leadership Summit in April 2023.
Members of IGSA and NALSA at a group picnic at Stewart Park in Ithaca, NY, May 2023.