Three TCU graduates receive Harvard degrees

June 3, 2021

 

TCU graduates receive Harvard degrees
(L to R) Connor Veneski, Lorrisa Garcia, Heidi Brandow


Three of Harvard's 2021 graduating students hail from Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).

Harvard University’s May 27th commencement activities celebrated the 7,640 degrees awarded to their 2021 graduates, of which 6,161 were advanced degrees given to candidates completing masters, doctoral, and professional programs. Among those are three TCU graduates who now have Harvard degrees.

Connor Veneski (BA, Haskell Indian Nations University) received a Juris Doctorate (JD) from Harvard Law School. Connor Veneski (Cayuga Nation of New York – Bear Clan), the first TCU graduate to be accepted into Harvard Law School, served as the co-president of the Harvard Native American Law Students Association during his second year.

Heidi Brandow (BFA, Institute of American Indian Arts) received a Masters in Design Studies (MDes) degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. While at Harvard, Heidi Brandow (Diné/Kānaka Maoli), co-founded the Harvard Indigenous Design Collective which hosted a number of virtual events focused on housing, Indigenous design, and the role of museums in presenting Indigenous histories.

Lorissa Garcia (AA, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute) received a Masters in Education (EdM) degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Lorissa Garcia (Acoma Pueblo), began her educational career with an Associate of Arts degree from the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, NM. She would later receive her bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University. Upon earning her Harvard degree, Lorissa reflected on her TCU pathway,

“I got my start at a TCU, and it was one of the best decisions of my educational journey thus far. Being at a TCU gave me a sense of comfort because the campus was smaller, but more importantly it helped give me a better sense of self because I was encouraged to embrace my Indigenous heritage and its importance of who I am and where I come from and why my degree was important to my home community and Indigenous Country.”

There are currently 32 TCUs in the United States. In or around tribal communities. TCUs are tribally controlled institutions of higher education offering a variety of apprenticeships, certificates, and degrees programs. They also provide a unique opportunity to pair cultural and Indigenous values into their studies. For many tribal students, TCUs serve as the closest institution for higher education.

The American Indian College Fund, is a national non-profit organization that prioritizes working with TCUs and Native Students, to ensure Native students attain degrees in higher education. The President and CEO, Cheryl Crazy Bull, remarked on the momentous accomplishment of Harvard’s TCU graduates,

“The American Indian College Fund congratulates our Native students who attended and graduated from Harvard University and Harvard Law School. Native students are often recognized as living embodiments of the dreams of our ancestors – the dream that we would thrive as Indigenous people no matter where we live and, in the case, of our graduating students, no matter where we are educated. These graduates’ success shows that Native students use the foundation of our cultures and histories, whether forged at home, in community, or at a tribal college, as the backbone of their strength. We want them to know that we are proud of all of them and wish them much success and happiness as they embark upon their new careers.”