Native Students LEAD Program

LEAD is a one-week immersive experience where high school students live in the residence halls on campus at the University of Nevada, Reno and explore college life. LEAD provides an opportunity for Indigenous students to prepare for college and learn how to navigate the academic, social, financial, and cultural aspects and opportunities in higher education. Throughout the week the students will experience multiple subject areas including business, cultural resources, STEM and many more to help with their decision when considering attending college.

At the end of the week, students will present on a project assigned at the start of the week, which will focus on their experience from LEAD. The exact details of the project will be shared with attendees at the start of the week but will tie into the experience of the week about empowering students to learn, achieve and dream their future.

2024 program dates: Sunday, July 7th – Saturday, July 13th

How to apply to Native Students LEAD

1. Receive your parent or guardian’s permission to apply and participate
2. Download the program application
3. Complete program application and email to sjpollard@unr.edu.

Download program application

2024 Summer program timeline

• March 2024 – Application Opens
• May 6, 2024 - Application Closes
• May 2024 - Student Selection
• July 7 - July 13, 2024 - Program Dates

Eligibility and selection criteria

• Preference for this program is provided to high school juniors and seniors.
• A completed application is required for the program.

This program has a participant limit. The costs of the program are covered by multiple sponsors including the Office of Indigenous Relations, University Center for Economic Development, First Nations Development Institute, and the College of Business Nevada Leadership Program.

Interested in being a parent chaperone?

Chaperones are needed for this program. As a chaperone you will support students and learn with them through the experience on opportunities and support structures on campus.

• Chaperones must be at least 18 years old.
• Chaperones will stay in the doors with students and have meals included at no cost to the chaperone.
• Chaperones will need to be fingerprinted through the University Police Department at least eight (8) weeks prior to the start of the program.

If interested in being a chaperone, please reach out to Sequoyah Pollard at sjpollard@unr.edu to receive the fingerprinting packet,