Your  Account:

Meet our Student Research Assistants

miaanderson

Hometown             

 Murrieta, CA

Tribal Affiliation   

Navajo

Year on Campus    

Fourth Year Transfer Student

Best Memory at CSUSM          

Joining AISA and making lots of friends!

Miah Anderson

Human Development- Concentration in Counseling Services

  • Bio

    Hello! My name is Miah Anderson and I am a 3rd year student who transferred to CSUSM fall 2023! I am a Kinesiology Movement Science major and I plan to be a physical therapist! In my free time I enjoy going to the gym, playing games, and hanging out with friends! I also enjoy crafts and watching movies or shows!

  • Favorite Spot on Campus
    The CICSC or the grassy area by SBSB.
  • Dream Job
    Physical Therapist!
  • Favorite Summer Activity
    Riding jetskis at Lake Powell!


kiaraflores

Hometown

Pala Reservation

Tribal Affiliation

Kuupangaxwichem and Northern Ute

Year on Campus

Fifth Year

Best Memory at CSUSM

Powwow Workshops

Kiara Flores

American Indian Studies

  • Bio
    Miyaxwe/ Hello, My name is Kiara Love Flores and I come to you from the Pala Indian Reservation in Southern California. I am Kuupangaxwichem/ Cupeno and Northern Ute. In my twenty years of life, I have been dancing since I’ve learned to walk. These styles include the Jingle Dress, Fancy Shawl, and Bird Dancing all taught to me by my Mother. Dancing has always had the biggest impact on my life and has led me to the path I am on now. I am soon to receive my Bachelors in Native Studies with a concentration in Arts & Humanities. Working closely with Native communities has always been a part of me, especially with bringing light to Native issues like Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, Native Education, and Native Erasure within education. Ichaam/ Thank You.
  • Favorite Spot on Campus
    SBSB 1118
  • Dream Job
    Working with Native communities.
  • Favorite Summer Activity
    The Powwow Trail


Student Worker Littledeer

Hometown           

Stilwell, Oklahoma

Tribal Affiliation

 Cherokee 

Year on Campus   

Fourth Year Transfer

Best Memory at CSUSM      

Joining AISA and meeting all the students involved, and Storytime with Stan.



Justin Littledeer

Political Science, Minor- American Indian Studies



LaniseLuna

Hometown      

Pala Reservation

Tribal Affiliation    

Pala Band of Mission Indians (Kuupangaxwichem)

Year on Campus         

Junior

Best Memory at CSUSM

Bowling with AISA

Lanise Luna

Biology

  • Bio

    My name is Lanise Luna, I am from the Pala Band of Mission Indians (Kuupangaxwichem). I am AISA’s social media person. I love all things ocean related and am always beading on my free time and recently turned it into my own business. 

  • Favorite Spot on Campus
    The CICSC
  • Dream Job
    Marine Biologist
  • Favorite Summer Activity
    Beading and Painting


jayleemartin

Hometown      

Banning, CA

Tribal Affiliation     

 Morongo Indian Reservation & Torrez Martinez

Year on Campus     

Second Year

Best Memory at CSUSM                  

Meeting all my friends in AISA and finding my community.

Jaylee Martin

American Indian Studies



emelymorales

Hometown        

Hemet, CA

Year on Campus

 Junior

Best Memory at CSUSM

 Denim jacket workshop!

 

Emely Morales

Literature & Writing Studies

  • Bio
    I am a first gen Mexican woman who prides herself in her creative spirit, open minded attitude, and love for learning.
  • Favorite Spot on Campus

    The trail by the gym because of the wild flowers and frogs in the spring.

  • Dream Job
    To be a writer and an English Professor
  • Favorite Summer Activity
    Hanging out with my friends and doing crafts.


Sheyanne Ortiz Headshot

Hometown

Escondido, CA

Tribal Affiliation

Kumeyaay, Santa Ysabel

Year on Campus

1st year at CSUSM, junior standing

Best Memory at CSUSM

The AISA social gathering last semester, I felt sure of my decision to study at CSUSM and had made solid friendships within AISA and outside of it.

 

 

Sheyanne Ortiz

Political Science and American Indian Studies

  • Bio
    Hi! I’m Sheyanne Rae, my pronouns are they/them and I am studying Political Science as well as American Indian Studies. I’m native to the area both through my indigenous ties and the fact I’ve lived in the San Diego area for my whole life. 
  • Favorite Spot on Campus
    My favorite spot is the quad outside of the center that leads into the grass circle. 
  • Dream Job
    My dream job would be practicing law, hopefully within immigration law or family to ensure children are protected in the courts. 
  • Favorite Summer Activity
    I love going to the beach, even if only for a few hours it is a respite from the pulsing life I so adore in San Diego.

 


aldenredhouse

Hometown

Temecula, CA

Tribal Affiliation    

Navajo

Year on Campus

Second Year

Best Memory at CSUSM  

Visiting the nearby cat cafe

Alden Redhouse

Criminology and Justice

  • Bio
    Born in Albuquerque New Mexico in 2004, I am Alden or Shaandiin. I am apart of the Navajo Tribe on my father's side and became involved with the CICSC to learn more about my culture and to help out other Tribal Communities! I am currently a first-year student at CSUSM, and I intend to graduate in Spring 2027 with a major in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Despite my focus on university, I also have heavy priority on my flight school! I currently attend Flight School at French Valley Airport and plan to get my Private Pilot's License. I plan to become a Commercial Pilot with my degree at university and with my experience in flying. Outside of university and my flight school, I often spend time going out with friends, doing archery as a hobby, and writing. 
  • Favorite Spot on Campus
    Library or the CICSC
  • Dream Job
    Commercial Pilot
  • Favorite Summer Activity
    Visiting friends across the states


david rivera

Hometown

Escondido

Tribal Affiliation

Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians

Year on Campus

First Year

Best Memory at CSUSM

Getting all of the classes I wanted

David Rivera

American Indian Studies

  • Bio
     I'm David Rivera from Mesa Grande. I'm a AIS major and hope to better my people in the future. I'm also heavily into music. Some of my favorite musicians are Bob Dylan, The Beatles and The Grateful Dead. 
  • Favorite Spot on Campus
    CICSC
  • Dream Job
    Chief
  • Favorite Summer Activity
    Tribal Gatherings


Anyssa Headshot

Hometown

Banning, CA

Tribal Affiliation

Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians

Year on Campus

2nd Year

Best Memory at CSUSM

My best memory is being able to go to school and work with my best friend Jaylee.

 

Anyssa Stewart-Vaughn

Kinesiology 



 

Alex Valle Headshot

Hometown

Campo, CA

Tribal Affiliation

Kumeyaay

Year on Campus

4th Year

Best Memory at CSUSM

Bird dancing on cmpus during an art exhibit

 

Alexandra Valle

Kinesiology

  • Bio
    I am a student research assistant at the CICSC. I am the American Indian Student Alliance Vice President and I also cheer on the team at CSUSM! I love music and spending time with my friends. 
  • Favorite Spot on Campus
    My favorite spot on campus is the CICSC.
  • Dream Job
    I hope to be a physical therapist or something in the medical field.
  • Favorite Summer Activity
    My favorite summer place is the beach!


 

AidenValverde

Hometown

   San Ysabel, CA

Tribal Affiliation

Iipay Kumeyaay

Year on Campus      

Senior

Best Memory at CSUSM         

Bowling with AISA

Aiden Valverde

American Indian Studies