Native American Education, Research, and Cultural Center (NAERCC)

The Native American Education, Research, and Cultural Center is a place of community, support, engagement, and learning, all while assisting our students in maintaining their cultural identity. Continuous relationship-building with tribal communities and outreach is a pivotal aspect of the center.

The center provides a wide range of opportunities for our Native students at the University of Wyoming, including internships, part-time employment, student organizations such as Keepers of the Fire and American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), leadership opportunities, and building a sense of community among the UW Native students. The facility has a variety of spaces—a computer lab, library, classroom, kitchen, study areas, and a lounge. The center houses the Native American student support staff who provide student support services, the Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) department, and the High Plains American Indian Research Institute. Together, these three Native programs provide essential support to the students, faculty, staff, and guests in a variety of capacities.

Research proves that a physical space for Indigenous students is of vital importance. It is crucial to build a sense of community and to provide support services and resources to meet the unique needs of Native students. The center’s director and the student support staff provide direct support, student engagement, assistance with scholarships, leadership opportunities, and resources for our Native and Indigenous students across the University of Wyoming and within the tribal communities.

This Giving Day, please consider supporting the Native American Education, Research, and Cultural Center, its exceptional programming, and our phenomenal Native American students. Thank you!