Welcome our 2024 NASWAC Cohort!

The Center for Native American Cancer Health Equity (C-NACHE) is delighted to introduce the inaugural cohort of the Native American Student Webinar Advisory Coalition (NASWAC)!

This diverse group of talented individuals is poised to bring fresh perspectives and insights to our mission of supporting Native American scholars in their cancer research education journeys. Through collaborative efforts, advocacy, and mentorship, NASWAC aims to highlight Indigenous voices and promote cancer health equity through health and educational outreach.

Join us in welcoming this exceptional cohort as they embark on their journey to shape the future of a new webinar series focused on diverse cancer health equity approaches with Indigenous populations in the Four Corners region.

Headshot of Jowun Ben

Jowun Ben (she/her/hers) 

Tribal affiliation: Navajo 

University/college: Arizona State University 

Program of study: Biomedical Sciences 

Academic level: Undergraduate Senior

 

My name is Jowun Ben and I am a Senior at Arizona State University studying Biomedical Sciences and American Indian Studies. I am Navajo and from Low Mountain, Arizona. My life’s goal is to become a Family Medical Doctor and serve my community back in the Navajo Nation. I hope to create a harmonious relationship with Western medicine and traditional Diné teachings, prayers, and sacred herbs.
Headshot of Utahana Dayzie

 

Utahana Dayzie (she/her/hers) 

Tribal affiliation: Navajo 

University/college: Diné College/Northern Arizona University 

Program of study: Public Health 

Academic level: Graduate Masters

 

I am a member of the Navajo Nation. I just recently graduated with my Bachelor of Science in public health at Dine College. With a minor in Native American Studies. I applied for the Masters program with NAU this spring and I am hoping to become a graduate student in the Fall.

Headshot of Diedre Goodluck

Diedre’ Goodluck (she/her/hers) 

Tribal affiliation: Navajo 

University/college: Northern Arizona University 

Program of study: Public Health 

Academic level: Graduate Masters

 

Ya’át’ééh. Naakai dine’é nishłį́. Tábąąhá bashishchiin. Kinyaa’áanii dashicheii. Honágháahnii dashinalí. Hello, my name is Diedre’ Goodluck. I am Navajo and originally from Coalmine Mesa, Arizona. I am a first year Master of Public Health student at Northern Arizona University (NAU), I also have a Bachelors degree from NAU in Public Administration. My academic commitment is to learn as much as I can about the inequities of rural Indigenous communities as well as the disparities that stem from generational trauma and how they affect our people.
A photo of Tawnjerae Joe

Tawnjerae Joe (she/her/hers) 

Tribal affiliation: Navajo 

University/college: Northern Arizona University

Program of study: Interdisciplinary Health 

Academic level: Graduate Doctoral

 

I am a second-year graduate student in the Interdisciplinary Health program and am currently working with the Native American Cancer Prevention (NACP) group on their cervical cancer, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) project. I have a background in basic and translational biomedical research and less background on the public health side but i am learning more about public health and community engagement through this NACP project. I currently work with quantitative survey data and will soon be working on qualitative data. In the future I hope to be doing some type of educational intervention on HPV and cervical cancer with under-served communities that are affected by cancer disparities to decrease the health disparity.

Headshot of Joshua Massey

Joshua Massey (he/him/his) 

Tribal affiliation: White Mountain Apache 

University/college: University of Arizona 

Program of study: Public Health 

Academic level: Undergraduate Junior

 

I am from the White Mountain Apache Tribe, first generational student. I am an Fire Archaeologist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, looking at more ways to help with Native Communities with health.
Headshot of Sanjiv Thompson

Sanjiv Thompson (she/her/hers) 

Tribal affiliation: White Mountain Apache 

University/college: Arizona State University 

Program of study: Indigenous Education 

Academic level: Graduate Masters

 

My name is Sanjiv Marie Thompson. I am from the Fort Apache Indian Reservation home to the beautiful people of the White Mountain Apache Tribe. I am an Educator teaching in an Elementary School on my reservation for the past 6 years. I am a mother and a wife. I attended Fort Lewis College and Graduated with a degree in American Indian Studies and Elementary Education in April in 2010. In 2013 I obtain my Masters of Education in Bilingual and Multicultural Education from Northern Arizona University. At the time I got this degree this was the closest degree of putting my undergrad studies together. I have a Certificate in Public Health tanning in American Indian Health from Johns Hopkins University. I am currently attending the Tohono O’odham Community College pursuing a certificate in Substance Abuse and Addiction Studies. I am also a grad student at ASU studying Indigenous Education.

Kaniesha Valley (she/her/hers) 

Tribal affiliation: Acoma Pueblo 

University/college: University of New Mexico 

Program of study: Population Health 

Academic level: Undergraduate Senior

 

I am a senior that will be graduating in the Fall of 2024 from The University of New Mexico. I am a non-traditional student and graduated from Fort Lewis College in the spring of 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology. I decided to go back to school in the fall of 2022 to pursue another Bachelor of Science in Population Health. After I complete my Bachelor’s, I would like to go back for a Master of Public Health specializing in environmental health where I can work with Indigenous communities.
Headshot of Asia Yazzie

 

Asia Soleil Yazzie (she/her/hers) 

Tribal affiliation: Navajo 

University/college: New Mexico State University 

Program of study: Public Health 

Academic level: Graduate Masters

My name is Asia Soleil Yazzie, and I am a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES). I am a second-year graduate student at New Mexico State University, pursuing a master’s degree in Health Promotion and Health Behavior. Previously, I formed alliances to support Indigenous communities across the Southwest and educated a range of schools, communities, and organizations on health education, suicide prevention, and domestic and sexual abuse. I worked as a project coordinator and research assistant, and through this work, I co-authored a journal article titled Teacher and Caregiver Perspectives on Water Is K’é: An Early Child Education Program to Promote Healthy Beverages among Navajo Children, published in 2023. Following graduation, I hope to work in health policy and activities related to health equity.
Center for Native American Cancer Health Equity
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