September 13, 2018. Native Waters on Arid Lands team member Karletta Chief, Ph.D., was honored today by the Council for Opportunity in Education as one of eight former students who were either low-income and/or first in their family to attend college, for remarkable contributions to her profession.

The Council for Opportunity in Education recognized the eight as 2018 National TRIO Achievers, so named for the federal TRIO college access and support programs that have been helping low-income, first-generation students and students with disabilities succeed in college against all odds for more than 50 years.

Karletta Chief is an alumna of Upward Bound at Southern Utah University. She is Diné and grew up on the Navajo reservation in Black Mesa, AZ, without electricity and running water, and speaking Diné as her first language. Although her family had little money, they gave her a strong cultural upbringing, strong family support,and encouraged her to do her best in school. Dr. Chief rode the bus 40 miles each way to the nearest public school, Page K-12 Schools, on the Navajo Nation border.

Congratulations to Karletta from the NWAL team!

Information about this award came from a COE press release.