TCU
In a move that underscores its commitment to cultivating inclusivity and embracing the rich heritage of Native American nations, TCU announced this week the initiation of the Four Directions Scholars Program.
The program is designed to provide opportunities and support for two first-year undergraduate students who hold citizenship in federally-recognized tribes.
Applications for the scholarship will open in the fall for the incoming class of 2024.
Two recipients of the Four Directions Scholars Program will be awarded four-year scholarships, encompassing full tuition, as well as room and board. The selection process will take into account the university's eligibility criteria for financial aid. The chosen scholars will also benefit from a dedicated mentorship program during their tenure at TCU.
“The Four Directions Scholars Program is evidence of TCU’s commitment to Native American nations and communities,” said Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, TCU’s chief inclusion officer, in a statement. “The scholarships are connected to the university’s five-year initiative, ‘Finding Ourselves in Community,’ that will embed learning outcomes to help students better understand themselves and others to foster a more inclusive community at TCU.”
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must be incoming first-year undergraduate students and citizens of federally-recognized tribes. They are required to submit an essay detailing their connection to their tribal heritage and their active involvement within their nation's culture.
Moreover, applicants must outline their vision for utilizing their TCU education to make meaningful contributions to their respective tribes and broader Native American communities. A letter of recommendation from an elected or employed leader of their nation and another from an individual familiar with their engagement within Native American cultures are mandatory components of the application.
The Four Directions Scholars Program is rooted in the symbolism of the cardinal directions — north, south, east, and west — that represent the interconnectedness of all living things
“We're delighted that TCU is recognizing the relationships we've established with Native American nations and communities by providing these scholarship opportunities,” said Scott Langston, interim Native American Nations and Communities liaison. “These scholarships are integral to our goal of broadening access to TCU's offerings and aiding Native students in emerging as leaders within their tribal nations upon graduation.”
Over the past eight years, TCU faculty and staff have actively collaborated with Native American nations and communities, fostering respectful and reciprocal relationships. This collaboration has enriched courses and programs, empowered Native Americans on campus, and led to the university's annual campus-wide symposium that promotes connections with Native communities and raises awareness about Native issues.
TCU's campus is situated on ancestral homelands of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes of indigenous Texas, a legacy that the university honors. Since 2015, TCU has actively engaged with Native Americans across Fort Worth-Dallas, Texas, and the United States. Collaborative initiatives encompass workshops, lectures, campus activities, and curricula developed in consultation with Native American communities to ensure students learn from, rather than merely about, Native Americans.
TCU also designated the first Monday in October as Native American and Indigenous Peoples Day.
The university has introduced courses highlighting Native perspectives, established a Native and Indigenous Student Association, created the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s scholarship, erected a monument to honor the original inhabitants of the land.