October 2021 – Undergraduate student
Adarius Begay – Colorado River Indian Tribes of the Colorado Indian Reservation
Phoenix, AZ
Scholarship: Science Post Graduate Scholarship Fund
School: University of Oklahoma
Degree: Computer Science
GPA: 3.16

Community Service

• AISES Gives Back 2018-2019
• OU Big Event 2019
• AISA Fall Pow Wow 2018-2019
• AISA Spring Pow Wow 2018-2019
• Cameron University Pow Wow 2020
• AISA Stomp Dance 2018-2020

Bio

Begay’s clans are Naałaní (Plains Tribe – Assiniboine Sioux/Kiowa/Cherokee), born for Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House), Maternal Grandfather is Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People), and Paternal Grandfather is Naakai Dine’é (The Mexican Clan). Adarius was born in Phoenix, Arizona and has direct family extending from Parker to Nazlini and Howell Mesa, Arizona. Adarius is the oldest grandchild on both sides, and he continues to practice his Diné culture to the best of his ability as he attends school out of state.

Adarius is finishing his senior year at the University of Oklahoma studying Computer Science. Since his arrival, Adarius has been actively involved with the Native American community through the American Indian Student Association (AISA), American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), and the Society of Native American Gentlemen. During his time, Adarius has held executive positions with all three of these organizations, including being the Region 4 Representative for AISES. Adarius has also assisted with events put on by the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program, American Indian Program Services, and eating all the wonderful food that has been provided by the Native American Studies Department.

During his free time Adarius enjoys rollerblading, playing video games, and watching movies. Adarius’s platform for Mr. Indian OU is Recruitment and Retention of Native American students to the OU campus, and with the help of the American Indian Graduate Center he has been able to accomplish this goal. Adarius continues to be an advocate for increasing representation in higher education and he cannot wait to see what the next generation is able to accomplish. Adarius says “Ahéhee’ (Thank you)!”

AIGC has empowered Adarius with a community of great scholars that continue to do amazing work with the Native American community. During his time as Mr. Indian OU with his platform in increasing Academic Recruitment and Retention for Native American Students, Adarius often uses AIGC as the organization example for a group that can give you the necessary things to graduate out of college. Adarius learned about AIGC thanks to one of their scholars and this showed the influence that AIGC has with the community. Adarius knows that upon leaving the university he will be able to remain in contact with AIGC and should he decide to pursue a degree past a bachelor’s, they will be the first ones there to cheer him on. Adarius will continue to push Natives students to the program, and he looks forward to seeing the scholars that come from AIGC.