The Tepa Companies awarded its 2022 Native American Scholarships to Jayden Rope, Navajo Nation member and a student at Arizona State University, Charitie Ropati, a member of the Native Village of Kongiganak Alaska and enrolled at Columbia University, and Bailey Kaybah Nez, a Navajo Nation member and a student attending Lawrence University.
The scholarship program expanded this year to add a fund specifically for Construction Management to show Tepa’s commitment to growing this field and supporting the company with Native American entry-level talent in addition to the Future Leaders Scholarships.
“The scholarships are important to Tepa because they allow our company the opportunity to enhance Native employment,” Tsianina Whitetree, MBA, Diversity & Inclusion Outreach Specialist at the Tepa Companies, said. “As a tribally-owned company, we know the importance of creating a pipeline of Native American talent. Our scholarships are one avenue we are taking to help promote our company to potential Native American candidates.”
Jayden received the Construction Management Scholarship to help financially support him in obtaining a degree in construction management. “This scholarship will alleviate the need to work extra hours to support me through college and give me time to focus on studying instead of worrying about providing for myself month-to-month,” Jayden said.
Charitie received the Future Leaders Scholarship to assist her Civil Engineering major financially.
“This scholarship invests in youth like me to become leaders in Native American communities. I hope the work I do back at home and at the university will inspire my siblings and other native youth growing up in similar circumstances to pursue higher academia and work within the stem field,” Charitie said. Bailey also received a Future Leaders Scholarship to assist her with earning an Environmental Science and Environmental Studies degree.
“My ultimate career goals are to work on behalf of Native tribes in environmental protection cases that they may need assistance. I want to return to my reservation to advise my tribe on how to use our land and what we can do to protect it,” Bailey said. “Earning this scholarship means I can continue my college education and return to work for my tribe, enabling me to give back to my community and inspire future generations to pursue higher education.”
The Tepa Companies created the Tepa Native American Scholarship Fund to help build personal and lasting relationships with students who will become future leaders in Native American communities. The scholarship program showcases Tepa’s native ownership and culture, all while assisting students with their educational goals.
Applicant criteria include pursuing a degree at a designated university in engineering, computer science, construction management, environmental science, earth science or business administration/management.