Faith Price is the Assistant Director of Native American Programs and oversees the recruitment and retention of Native American students at WSU Pullman. There are approximately 550 Native undergraduate students on campus. The Native American Programs office conducts outreach to tribal communities in the region, representing WSU at college fairs and community events. In addition, the office brings Native high school students to campus for campus visits and conferences.

Price directs the Native American student ambassador program, which is funded by a grant from the Nez Perce Tribe. The Native student ambassadors are current undergraduate students who provide campus tours, attend community events, and can speak to prospective students about the Native student experience at WSU.

The staff of Native American Programs also works with prospective students throughout the admissions and financial aid process. Once they are a student on campus, the Native American Student Center (NASC) offers cultural and educational programming designed to create a community for Native students, and increase their academic success. Native students need to have a home away from home in the NASC, something Price says is critical to the retention of Native students at any institution.

“Native students need a place on campus that feels like home, where they can be around other students and staff that understand where they are coming from. If I hadn’t had this as an undergrad, I would have left college, as culture shock was at times overwhelming.”

Price is of Wampanoag descent, and grew up on the Flathead Indian Reservation. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Montana.  She is currently in the Prevention Science doctoral program at WSU, in addition to her full-time duties with Native American Programs.

Native Youth Exploring Higher Education Camp, 2017

WSU Class of 2017, Stoles hand crafted by Faith Price