{"id":1536,"date":"2026-04-07T00:58:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T00:58:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/native-american-cancer-health-equity\/?page_id=1536"},"modified":"2026-04-07T00:58:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T00:58:16","slug":"2026-naswac-cohort","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/native-american-cancer-health-equity\/2026-naswac-cohort\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NASWAC Cohort"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome our 2026 NASWAC Cohort!<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The Center for Native American Cancer Health Equity (C-NACHE)<\/a> is delighted to introduce the third annual cohort of the Native American Student Webinar Advisory Coalition (NASWAC)<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Representing a wide range of tribal nations, universities, academic disciplines, and degree levels, this exceptional group of student leaders brings a wealth of lived experience, academic insight, and cultural knowledge to the table. Their collective contributions will strengthen the NASWAC program\u2019s mission to uplift Indigenous voices and expand culturally grounded approaches to cancer health equity.<\/p>\n

In collaboration with the Arizona Department of Health Services, this year\u2019s cohort will gain hands-on experience in webinar coordination and facilitation with the Tribal Cancer Collaborative webinar series. Through mentorship, collaboration, and outreach, these scholars are poised to drive impactful conversations and learning opportunities rooted in Native community knowledge and priorities.<\/p>\n

Scroll down to meet each member of this inspiring coalition!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\"Headshot<\/div>
\n

Gabriel\u00a0Baca\u00a0(<\/span><\/b>San Carlos Apache Tribe<\/span><\/i><\/b>)<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pronouns<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0He\/Him\/His<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hometown<\/strong>:\u00a0Morenci, Arizona<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

University\/college<\/strong>: Northern Arizona University<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Academic level<\/strong>: Graduate Masters<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Program of study<\/strong>: Physician Assistant Studies<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\n
\n I am a\u00a0first generation\u00a0college student, an older brother of 4, and a role model\u00a0to\u00a0many now. My background spans\u00a0from medical clinics,\u00a0to community health, education, and research. So, within my professional career, I have aligned myself well in\u00a0the cancer\u00a0prevention and surveillance space and made many connections which led me to my current profession as a Physician Assistant.\u00a0That being said, I\u00a0hope to be able to use my knowledge as a provider to give back to my community (as well as other tribal nations) and be the generalist that I am training to be. My role is keen on being flexible, approachable, and always willing to provide a hand, and I would bring just that.\u00a0<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\"Landscape
Morenci, Arizona<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/div>
\n

Tianna Curley\u00a0(<\/span><\/b>Navajo\u00a0Nation<\/span><\/i><\/b>)<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pronouns<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0She\/Her\/Hers<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hometown<\/strong>: Kayenta,\u00a0Arizona<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

University\/college<\/strong>:\u00a0Din\u00e9 College<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Academic level<\/strong>: Undergraduate\u00a0Senior<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Program of study<\/strong>: Public Health<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\n
\n I am a Senior at Dine College, obtaining my Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health. I am also interning for the Healthy Navajo Ke’ Project, doing my research on gestational diabetes in AI\/AN women and mothers. I am a full-time student and mother to a 6-year-old son. I would describe my personality as ambitious, friendly, and goal oriented.\u00a0<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\"Landscape
Kayenta, Arizona<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/div>
\n

Lortis\u00a0Eriacho\u00a0(<\/span><\/b>Navajo Nation<\/span><\/i><\/b>)<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pronouns<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0She\/Her\/Hers<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hometown<\/strong>: Pinehill, New Mexico<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

University\/college<\/strong>: Din\u00e9 College<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Academic level<\/strong>:\u00a0Undergraduate Senior<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Program of study<\/strong>: Public Health<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/span>\n

\n
\n Ya’at’eeh! I am a Navajo student currently pursuing a public health degree from Dine College.\u00a0I’m\u00a0interested in learning anything that I can that will help me be successful in my future career. I really would like to be able to make any positive impact in any way I can with my degree, especially one that will\u00a0benefit\u00a0native people. It is a huge goal of mine. <\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\"Landscape
Pinehill, New Mexico<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/div>
\n

Cynthia Nelson\u00a0(<\/span><\/b>Navajo Nation<\/span><\/i><\/b>)<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pronouns<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0She\/Her\/Hers<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hometown<\/strong>: Oljato, Utah<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

University\/college<\/strong>:\u00a0Northern Arizona University<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Academic level<\/strong>: Undergraduate\u00a0Junior<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Program of study<\/strong>: Biomedical Science<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/span>\n

\n
\n Y\u00e1’\u00e1t’\u00e9\u00e9h. I am Cynthia Gwen Nelson. My clans are\u00a0Hashk\u02bc\u0105\u0105\u00a0hadzoh\u00ed,\u00a0T\u00f3dichinii,\u00a0T\u0142\u02bc\u00edz\u00ed\u00a0\u0142\u00e1n\u00ed, and Kin\u00a0\u0142ich\u00ed\u00ed\u02bcnii. I am a Din\u00e9 woman from Oljato, Utah, currently pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science with a minor in Applied Indigenous Studies at Northern Arizona University. I am the eldest of my siblings and come from a family deeply rooted in our Navajo culture and community. Professionally, I serve as a Lead Instructor and Community Coordinator at the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, where I\u00a0facilitate\u00a0workshops and outreach focused on human health and environmental awareness. I also support unsheltered relatives through my work with Community Assistance Teams of Flagstaff. Driven by lifelong prayer, I strive to better myself, support my family, and give back to my people in meaningful ways.\u00a0<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\"Landscape
Oljato, Utah<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/div>
\n

Autumn Russell\u00a0(Navajo Nation)<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pronouns<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0She\/Her\/Hers<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hometown<\/strong>: Fort Defiance,\u00a0Arizona<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

University\/college<\/strong>:\u00a0Din\u00e9\u00a0College<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Academic level<\/strong>: Undergraduate\u00a0Junior<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Program of study<\/strong>: Public Health<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/span>\n

\n
\n Ya\u2019ateeh! I am Autumn Russell, a Navajo\u00a0undergrad\u00a0student attending Dine College, and I am majoring in public health. I discovered my love of public health around my senior year of high school and decided to pursue it ever since. I am interested in epidemiology and learning how research can help indigenous communities. I am trying to push myself out of my comfort zone and gain more professional development skills. I learned about this program at the 2024 American Public Health Association (APHA) conference when I was a sophomore and\u00a0I\u2019ve\u00a0wanted to join ever since! My career goals are to conduct research and present it in a conference and to receive my\u00a0bachelors in public health.\u00a0<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\"Landscape
Fort Defiance, Arizona<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\n
\"Headshot<\/div>
\n

Melaina Shirley\u00a0(<\/span><\/b>Navajo Nation<\/span><\/i><\/b>)<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Pronouns<\/strong>:<\/span>\u00a0She\/Her\/Hers<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hometown<\/strong>:\u00a0Sanostee, New Mexico<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

University\/college<\/strong>:\u00a0San Juan College<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Academic level<\/strong>:\u00a0Undergraduate Senior<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Program of study<\/strong>: Pre-Nursing<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div><\/span>\n

\n
\n My name is Melaina Shirley, and I am a member of the Navajo Nation.\u00a0I grew up on the northern side of the reservation for the majority of my life.\u00a0I am a recent graduate of New Mexico State University with a bachelor\u2019s degree in public health and an associate\u2019s degree in physical education and exercise science. I am also an active-duty service member in the United States Air Force and will soon be a veteran in May. This fall, I plan to attend San Juan College to complete the prerequisite courses for the nursing program at Arizona State University. My hobbies include spending time with my cats, attending group exercise classes, cooking new recipes, hiking, diamond painting, and traveling.\u00a0<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\"Landscape
Sanostee, New Mexico<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome our 2026 NASWAC Cohort! The Center for Native American Cancer Health Equity (C-NACHE) is delighted to introduce the third annual cohort of the Native American Student Webinar Advisory Coalition (NASWAC)! Representing a wide range of tribal nations, universities, academic disciplines, and degree levels, this exceptional group of student leaders brings a wealth of lived […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1947,"featured_media":1555,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ring_central_script_selection":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1536","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/native-american-cancer-health-equity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1536","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/native-american-cancer-health-equity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/native-american-cancer-health-equity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/native-american-cancer-health-equity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1947"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/native-american-cancer-health-equity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1536"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/native-american-cancer-health-equity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1536\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1557,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/native-american-cancer-health-equity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1536\/revisions\/1557"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/native-american-cancer-health-equity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1555"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/native-american-cancer-health-equity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1536"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}