First-Year Scholars Program

The Native American Student Affairs (NASA) office at the University of Arizona offers you a wonderful first-year experience. The First-Year Scholars Program, is designed for Native American students who are seeking opportunities for lifetime campus connections whether it be in the classroom, residence hall, or the surrounding Tucson community. The living and learning community theme is popular on college campuses because it provides students valuable tools and resources that contribute to their overall academic excellence and success.

The First-Year Scholars Program (FYSP) has contributed to an increase in the persistence of first-time, full-time freshmen at the University of Arizona. Over the past 10 years, first to second-year persistence rates average 60%. The 2004-2005, first cohort of Scholars, had a 69% first-to-second-year persistence rate, an increase of 9% from the average. Such an increase is significant due to the fact that it supports our efforts to improve retention and graduation rates of Native American students.

Natalie Youngbull
msrose@email.arizona.edu