Trina Ramirez
University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Trina Ramirez, Turtle Mountain Chippewa, knows why she wants to continue to advise Native students at the University of Kansas (KU): For students of color, she explains, the decision to go to school is a family decision that has always intrigued me. She also remembers how her own experience with college was difficult. I grew up in a small, rural community near an Indian reservation. I didn“t feel I was academically prepared. At KU, we sometimes see this with our students, both mainstream and ethnic minority. I had a hard time coping with my freedom. The thing that helped me was the support I received from faculty mentors. Two individuals, who were ethnic minorities themselves, took me under their wings and served as my mentors. They reached out to me all the time. Faculty mentors are an integral part of the university experience. When you have someone who shares your background, shares your history, you have an instant connection. Because of their help, I feel the need to reciprocate that devotion to students of color. Ramirez“ work as an academic advisor helps students of color transition to a large campus. At KU, we assign an advisor to each new incoming freshman. We have a large pool of faculty and professional advisors who meet with students. We don“t only focus on academics. We help them transition from their communities and cope with adulthood and their everyday lives. Native students are coming to a predominantly white campus and many times they experience culture shock. As an advisor, I have to recognize that, be respectful of that, and be ready to help them through that initial shock. We have a lot of students from Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, so we have mentors here on campus who help navigate the students through their new setting. Ramirez is aware of the negative stereotypes affiliated with students of color. Too often generalizations are made about students of color, she says. What I see are students of amazing character. They“re opening so many doors for themselves and for each other. Because of the richness in their cultures and their interpretations of ideas, they consistently bring a challenging and exciting aspect to the classroom. She also expresses some of the pressures the students have as soon as they get on campus. There is this paradigm, she says, where a civil rights issue comes up in a class and the Native student, who might be the only person of color in class, is asked to speak on behalf of all people of color. It can be a burden. But I tell students that educating mainstream society about their individual beliefs, sharing cultural traditions, language, and background is a responsibility they should embrace. As an advisor, Trina is sensitive to her students“ struggles. There are so many pressures we put on young people. It“s so easy for them to lose their priorities when faced with all these pressures. I try to remind them that they can overcome the struggles. As advisors, we must help the students keep their commitment to their community and maintain their priorities. We remind them that they have advocates™they“re not alone. College learning doesn“t only take place in the classroom. How students choose to interactð withir peers and how they participate on campus is equally important. We have an active community here and there“s a strong network for Native students. When asked what are some of the most enjoyable things about her work, Trina says, I love to see the students become excited about and steadfast in their convictions; they evolve and you can see how education affects them. You see the transitions and you can“t help but become personally involved. The students may stumble occasionally, but that“s okay. What“s important is to help as much as you can. I“ve made so many friends; and the students, well, they keep me hip and on my toes.