Native SOAR

Native SOAR We are a service-learning course & program that equips UA undergrads to mentor Indigenous youth.

In-person LIVESTREAM - ACPA/ASHE Presidential Symposium EPSP and Native SOAR have partnered up to bring you a very speci...
09/21/2026

In-person LIVESTREAM - ACPA/ASHE Presidential Symposium

EPSP and Native SOAR have partnered up to bring you a very special event on Thursday, from 9 am - 1 pm PST.

The Presidents and Leadership from ASHE and ACPA will come together on to discuss how to account for and move through this difficult moment. The conversation will feature several wonderful speakers, including HED’s very own April N. Horne, and is sure to be equally grounding and inspiring!

If you are interested in joining the watch party in COE 102 or simply want to learn more about the event, please RSVP: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9jXUXfgWpZcbvMpkOre-SNiNwclWoOHZfeRBFKQ-fQR4Dsg/viewform

“Lios enchiak! Abigail Hernandez ne waate! Hello, my name is Abigail Hernandez, and I am a proud member of the Pascua Ya...
09/20/2026

“Lios enchiak! Abigail Hernandez ne waate! Hello, my name is Abigail Hernandez, and I am a proud member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and a freshman at the University of Arizona. I am majoring in Emergency Medical Services with a minor in Environmental and Occupational Health. I am a member of the W.A. Franke Honors College and a Stamps Scholar, I am passionate about emergency medicine and hope to pursue a career as a NASA flight surgeon or a pediatric emergency medicine physician. I am also currently involved in research focused on firefighter cancer and occupational health. Outside of academics, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, climbing, and getting involved in organizations that build community and support others on campus. I love to do community work and am a member of Regenerción. I am excited to serve as a Native SOAR mentor this fall, connect with fellow Native students, and learn from the diverse experiences and communities that make Native SOAR so special.”

Abby Hernandez
Fall 2026 Native SOAR Mentor



“Lios enchim aniavu, ketchem allea? Hello everyone, My name is Alexis Sanchez, and I come from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. I...
09/19/2026

“Lios enchim aniavu, ketchem allea? Hello everyone, My name is Alexis Sanchez, and I come from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. I am a first-year student here at the U of A, majoring in Law. I am also a student within the Franke Honors College.”

Alexis Sanchez
Fall 2026 Native SOAR Mentor



Antonio Valencia started out as a young Yaqui Navajo in a place they called Salt River or as they say in the old tongue ...
09/18/2026

Antonio Valencia started out as a young Yaqui Navajo in a place they called Salt River or as they say in the old tongue Onk Akimel O’odham, although historically he is from Pinon, Arizona. When Antonio was growing up on this reservation, he loved to create from anything he could get his hands on. He later fell into the world of welding and from there, he developed a massive interest in his passion for metallurgy.

Antonio got his feet wet from learning Automotive Technology, which later got him associated within the mechanical engineering side of the trade. Antonio went on to privately teach himself the physics of metallurgy while running collegiate cross country being a part of ‘Skills USA’, and Filming in ‘Uncle’s Productions’.

After graduating from Navajo Technology in early 2025 and back to back internships with Harvard SEASREU, he transferred to the University of Arizona, to start his journey to Material Science & Engineering, and ultimately become a metallurgist ready to serve his tribe.

Antonio Valencia
Fall 2026 Native SOAR Mentor



“I am currently a freshman at The University of Arizona. I am a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation. My major is busines...
09/18/2026

“I am currently a freshman at The University of Arizona. I am a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation. My major is business and I hope to get into Finance later on! I enjoy working out, I love to eat, and enjoy hanging out with friends and family!”

Jaala Soliz
Fall 2026 Native SOAR Mentor



Week 1 —> Week 4 🌱Every class is an opportunity to build connections and learn from one another. We love seeing growth a...
09/17/2026

Week 1 —> Week 4 🌱

Every class is an opportunity to build connections and learn from one another. We love seeing growth after just one month.

❤️ WELCOME BACK, Kayleigh! ❤️Please join us in celebrating Kayleigh’s return to Native SOAR! For the past 2 years, Kayle...
09/13/2026

❤️ WELCOME BACK, Kayleigh! ❤️

Please join us in celebrating Kayleigh’s return to Native SOAR! For the past 2 years, Kayleigh served as our Outreach Specialist and now, she’s back as our Program Coordinator!

Kayleigh Paddock (Diné) is from Tuba City, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation. She is deeply committed to addressing healthcare disparities in Indigenous communities and aspires to become a primary care physician serving Native communities.

Kayleigh has been involved with Native SOAR in several capacities, beginning as an undergraduate mentor from 2021–2023, continuing as a volunteer, and joining the professional staff as the Outreach Specialist from 2024–2026. Coming from a family of educators, she has a strong passion for supporting Native students and creating pathways to higher education. Her own experiences with Native SOAR have made the program especially meaningful to her, and she is grateful to continue supporting the community that played an important role in her own undergraduate journey.

Kayleigh graduated from the University of Arizona in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Medical Sciences, where she completed the pre-medical track. Through her experiences in higher education and Native student outreach, she realized that her interests in medicine, education, and community advocacy could work hand in hand. This led her to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH) at Dartmouth College, where she is currently a second-year student with interests in Indigenous healthcare delivery, diabetes prevention, and community-based outreach.

Through her work in public health and higher education, Kayleigh hopes to strengthen educational and healthcare opportunities for Native communities while continuing on her path toward medicine.

✨ FORMER MENTOR SUPPORT ✨Last semester, we piloted a new approach to peer mentoring by supporting campus visits for our ...
09/11/2026

✨ FORMER MENTOR SUPPORT ✨

Last semester, we piloted a new approach to peer mentoring by supporting campus visits for our community partners and their students. This week, we were excited to welcome back former mentors from that pilot and those who also specialize in community building and session facilitation!

Thank you, Raykel, Kaydence, Amaya, and Seth, for returning to share your expertise, stories, and experiences with our FA26 cohort. Your wisdom and continued support mean so much!

A special thank-you to Kayleigh and Mason for hosting the event and taking care of all the details that made it possible!

✨We’re grateful for everyone who continues to show up, give back, and help build a stronger community! ✨

✨ FA26 NATIVE SOAR COHORT ✨Introducing our Fall 2026 Native SOAR students! 🎉 We’re so excited to begin another semester ...
09/06/2026

✨ FA26 NATIVE SOAR COHORT ✨

Introducing our Fall 2026 Native SOAR students! 🎉 We’re so excited to begin another semester filled with learning, community building, mentorship, and service.

This semester is extra special as we launch a NEW mentorship model designed to strengthen connections and support our students in new ways. And we’re beyond excited to embark on this next chapter with our new Program Coordinator, Kayleigh Paddock!

Huge thank you to our Student Services Fee Grant funders and our supporters in the Office of the Provost and in the College of Education! None of this would be possible without your continued support ❤️💙

❤️💙 FALL 2026 WELCOME SOCIAL💙❤️Thank you to everyone who came to our first gathering of the new year! We hope you enjoye...
09/04/2026

❤️💙 FALL 2026 WELCOME SOCIAL💙❤️

Thank you to everyone who came to our first gathering of the new year! We hope you enjoyed connecting with old and new friends. We can’t wait for the next one!

If you are NEW to The University of Arizona and you’re looking to get involved, meet new people, or just hang out and enjoy a meal, please reach out. Our community would love to welcome you!

uofaAIBL
AIIHA
UArizona AISES Chapter
Diné Club
Indigicat Student Association
ISAPD_UA
MNUA Ambassadors
University of Arizona SACNAS Chapter!
TOSA UA
ANAMS UA
ISPA UA
University of Arizona NILSA
UA Native American Graduate Students
Native SOAR

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Tucson, AZ
85721

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