American Indian Student Support Services educator to speaks at monthly Guild meeting

Laura Gonzales-Macias, Ph.D., associate director, American Indian Student Support Services and instructional professional in American Indian Studies at Arizona State University, is the featured speaker Wednesday, Nov. 16, at a monthly meeting of the museum’s dedicated corps of volunteers, the Heard Museum Guild.

Anyone interested in Guild membership is invited to attend. Coffee will be served at 9:30 a.m., followed by the Guild monthly business meeting at 9:45. Dr. Gonzales-Macias’ remarks are expected to begin at 10 a.m. Afterward, at approximately 11 a.m., Guild members and visitors will socialize and sign up for various volunteer positions and Guild short courses as well as purchase note cards.

Highlights of Gonzales-Macias’ presentation

• ASU’s American Indian Student Support Services (AISSS): Mission and American Indian/Alaska Native student population.
• The Heard Museum Guild Internship Program partners with AISSS to offer talented students opportunities that will contribute to academic success and promote professional skills. Interns will share how this experience has impacted their academic and professional goals.
• The Student Preparedness Initiative: Readiness Inspired by Tradition (S.P.I.R.I.T.; 2-week summer transition program) annual Heard Museum visit.
• Highlights of the American Indian Convocation held in December and May. The Heard Museum Eagle Spirit Award is given at the American Indian Convocation to two exceptional Native graduate students fulfilling a program of study at ASU.  The award recognizes these students’ dedication to American Indian communities through service and volunteering as well as their academic achievements.

Here is more information about the Guild and its many activities.