Wokini Initiative opens doors for students to pursue their dreams

Started in 2016, the Wokini Initiative is SDSU’s collaborative and holistic framework to support American Indian student success and Indigenous nation-building. The initiative builds upon current tribal partnerships and the American Indian Student Center services to enhance cultural programs and support for American Indian students while increasing research and outreach partnerships with tribes, tribal colleges and other organizations.

Since its beginning, success of the Wokini Initiative has grown quickly. A new American Indian Student Center opened in 2020, and $19 million is included in an endowed scholarship fund for students who are tribally enrolled or have descendancy through a federally recognized tribe in the United States.

Begeman SDSU's first Udall Scholar

Junior Jessica Begeman became SDSU’s first Udall Scholar when she was awarded the recognition in May 2022. The prestigious, highly competitive award is given to a student who must demonstrate a commitment to addressing significant issues connected to the environment or to Native American health care and tribal policy.

An enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Begeman was selected by a 20-member review committee from 382 candidates nominated by 181 different colleges and universities. She completed her first year in the professional Pharm.D. program in the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions.

Begeman has spent the past two summers interning with the Indian Health Service on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. She hopes someday to return to the reservation and her hometown of Martin to practice pharmacy and focus on diabetes management or anticoagulation care.

Grad student find path to Ph.D. as Wokini scholar

Derek Bandis was part of something special at SDSU, as he was part of the first cohort of Wokini Scholars. What made Bandis’ story more interesting is he was a scholar while working on his Ph.D.

Bandis knows the financial support he received was important to earning his Ph.D., but being a Wokini Scholar is also about “serving as role models for other students” and utilizing the American Indian Student Center as “a place to study and hang out with people who had a similar experience that you had growing up. The community is one of the best things about it.”

Bandis graduated from high school in Winner and came to SDSU as a freshman, earning his bachelor’s degree in 2009 and his master’s degree in 2013, both in chemistry. He began work on his Ph.D. following his master’s, but family matters slowed his progress. Bandis completed his work on his Ph.D. during summer 2022 and plans to teach and do research.

Fallis pursuing Career as a veterinarian

Traelene Fallis became a Jackrabbit because SDSU was the only college to send a recruiting representative to her tribal high school, opening her mind to the possibilities of being a Wokini Scholar. She is now in her second year of the professional program in veterinary medicine with plans of becoming a veterinarian to give back to those in her community.

Fallis came to SDSU from the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe reservation in Fort Thompson and started working at the Equine Teaching Facility to gain more experience working with animals. She completed her undergraduate degree in animal science and will finish her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2026. Fallis would like to open a vet clinic in her home community