BOARD: Alicia Jacobs, a Cherokee Nation citizen who serves as the Jones-Bowman Leadership Specialist at the Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute, has been selected to serve on the AISES Board of Directors for 2017-20. (Photo courtesy of Cherokee Boys Club)
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) announced the appointment of six new members of its Board of Directors recently, as well as the full slate of board members for 2017-2020. Joining the AISES Board of Directors are Grace Bulltail, Kristina Halona, Shaun Tsabetsaye, Adrienne Laverdure, Barney Enos, and Alicia Jacobs.
Jacobs, a Cherokee Nation citizen, resides in Cherokee and currently serves as the Jones-Bowman Leadership Specialist at the Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute; a department of the Cherokee Boys Club funded by the Cherokee Preservation Foundation.
She received a bachelor’s of science degree in Sociology from Western Carolina University with a concentration in Native American Health and is currently working on her master’s of public affairs degree. She is passionate about building self-reliance in native youth to build stronger native communities. Her experience includes advocating for Native youth on Capitol Hill, becoming a certified Native Life Skills Trainer, working as a Qualla Education Collaborative member, and being the first recipient of the AISES Tribal Partner Service Award. Her experience with AISES began eight years ago when her students began attending annual AISES events.
Jacobs is a distinguished AISES Sequoyah Fellow and has recently been invited to serve as an inaugural member of the AISES Tribal Nations Advisory Council. She attributes her success within AISES to the guidance and mentoring she received from Dr. Carmaleta Monteith who has supported the Jones-Bowman Leadership Award Program from its inception ten years ago.
According to Jacobs, “It is an honor and privilege to continue serving the AISES organization in this capacity as it provides the opportunity to continue strengthening the relationship with the EBCI and STEM professionals across Indian Country. Empowering the youth and providing them with career opportunities is key to strengthening our region. I am delighted to be a part of this work knowing the positive impact it will have on our enrolled members for future generations.”
– AISES
