Tribal Students Program in Agricultural Sciences

A federally funded program with the University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources. The purpose of the program is to recruit, retain, and graduate American Indian/Alaska Native students in the Agricultural Sciences. The program provides a variety of different services and resources to students starting in their collegiate journey.

Undergraduates

Students who participate in the Tribal Students program will be able to receive the following support services.

Free housing (dependent on availability)
Scholarships (dependent on availability)
Tutoring
Mentoring
Advising and financial aid services
Career services such as internships
Early job placement
Native American Waiver

Students who decide to be in the program will need to complete a contract, goal setting planner, and volunteer for community events on and off campus.

If you are interested, please complete the "Request more Information" form below.

Graduate Fellowships

Erica “Ricky” Klafehn (she/her/ella) is an Indigenous Latinx Ph.D. student in the Anthropology doctoral program at UNR specializing in forensic anthropology. She is a recipient of the Dean’s Merit Fellowship and a member of the UNR Tribal Students Program. She also serves as the treasurer for the Graduate Board of Anthropology Students (BOASgrad) and as a representative for the College of Liberal Arts in the Graduate Student Association.

Ricky completed her M.S. in Forensic Science (2022) and B.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology (2016) from John Jay College of Criminal Justice - City University of New York (CUNY). During her time at John Jay, Ricky was a member of the Program for Research Initiatives in Science and Math (PRISM) and Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, where she conducted forensic anthropology and entomology research under Dr. Angelique Corthals and Dr. Jennifer Rosati. For her master’s thesis, Ricky investigated the effects of blow fly larvae feeding on sharp force trauma (SFT) wound patterns in decomposing bones. At the University, Ricky is working under associate professor Dr. Marin Pilloud; she hopes to either continue her research in taphonomy or explore the ethics of forensic anthropology, and hopes to pursue a career as a forensic anthropologist in a medicolegal or humanitarian setting.

In her free time, Ricky loves to watch and play sports, listen to and play music, and spend time with her friends and family. She is an avid movie-goer, loves board games, and enjoys learning about different cultures. You can often find her at a local Starbucks enjoying a refreshing cup of coffee, or at the fields playing softball.

NSHE Native American Fee Waiver

The Nevada Board of Regents provides a waiver of certain fees related to registration to a Native American student who is a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe or nation, all or part of which is located within the boundaries of Nevada, or who is certified by the enrollment department of such tribe or nation or by the Bureau of Indian Affairs as being a descendant of an enrolled member of such tribe or nation, all or part of which is located within the boundaries of Nevada, regardless of member status.

An NSHE institution shall waive registration, laboratory and other mandatory fees for eligible students. To determine if you are eligible, complete this form and provide the required documentation to your institution’s designated office. The institution may request additional information or documentation to verify eligibility.

NSHE Native American Fee Waiver Form

Tribal Students Program in Agricultural Sciences

Up Coming Events

Undergraduates

Graduate Fellowships

NSHE Native American Fee Waiver

Request more information

Program Contacts