Finding your people in college can turn a big campus into a place that feels like home away from home. For students at the U, the Center for Native Excellence & Tribal Engagement (NETE) offers that kind of home base, rooted in culture, community, and support. They support American Indian and Alaska Native students and faculty by fostering cultural pride, academic success, and community connections, as well as serving as a bridge between the university and tribal nations through education, research, and outreach. We sat down with sophomore Tavamawisi Groves (College of Humanities, ’28) to learn how her background, identity, and involvement with the NETE have all shaped her U journey.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your upbringing, and what you're studying?I am from Springville, Utah, and I’m currently working towards a B.A. in History Teaching with a minor in Educational Psychology. On my dad’s side I am Northern Ute and Hopi. His father is from Myton, Utah and his mother is Hopi from Northeast Arizona and Chinese. My mother is white and grew up in the Portland, Oregon area.
Why did you choose the U?It might sound a bit silly to say but growing up in Utah I always thought the U was cool! I had visited campus a couple of times, including for a campus tour, and was impressed by the beautiful campus and all the student resources. When I was younger, I would watch the annual Ute Proud halftime at a football game and was amazed and so excited about the Native representation. Plus, I knew about the Center for Native Excellence & Tribal Engagement and that they provide great support to Native students, so I was excited to get involved with that. I also really like Salt Lake City. I grew up about an hour south and would drive up relatively often for concerts or activities. The environment in Salt Lake is very different from the town I grew up in, which is something that I was looking for, but I also like that my family is close by.
How did you first get involved with the NETE?I was introduced to the NETE before I was really even thinking about college. My family has been going to the University of Utah’s powwow for probably a decade, so I always knew there was a welcoming space here for Native students. I recognized one of the NETE program managers at a powwow we were both dancing at and decided to introduce myself. She encouraged me to apply for the Native Ascent Scholars Program (NASP) which covers the cost of my housing. From there I felt like I had a connection to NETE, which made me feel more confident heading into college, and by March of my senior year of high school I was set on attending the U.
What role does the NETE play in your life on campus — both personally and academically?I remember going up to the NETE house between when I moved to campus and the first day of classes to familiarize myself with the community and get some of my questions answered. I am immensely grateful for NETE’s housing scholarship that allows me to live on campus! The NETE also helps me to connect with other Native students at the U. For example, my roommate last year was Navajo and that was an awesome experience, especially because I came from a high school with almost no other Native students.
There are also so many events and programs that I love being involved with. My favorite activity last year was helping run the U of U powwow. It felt good to help put on this community event and see the successful results. In June I attended the Native Excellence Gala and was so happy to be able to celebrate our community on campus. I really just feel so much more confident knowing I have the NETE support system to lean on and I know that if I was struggling, whether academically or personally, they would have my back.
What does your cultural identity mean to you, and how has it shaped your experience at the U?My Native identity shapes my experience at the U because it shapes my entire life. It is an interesting sort of juxtaposition to be a Ute at a university where students call themselves The Utes. I am incredibly proud to be Native. My family is very resilient and I am proud to be here as a result. I have seen in all areas of my life that leaning in and participating in my Native culture sets me up to learn and grow and become a better person.
In what ways do you hope to foster connection and visibility for Native students and culture at the U?Because we are the Utah Utes, positive representation of actual Indigenous people at the U is critical. Native people are more than a mascot or a nickname, so it’s imperative that we highlight that. I try to represent in a good way and participate in NETE activities as much as I can to foster campus connections and Native visibility. Being proud of who we are as Native people is important!
How has your involvement with the NETE shaped your goals or plans for the future?It has really reaffirmed that I enjoy being in college and that I do want to be a high school history teacher. Education, and good education programs, are imperative, and the way we teach history has a real-world impact. I want to be a supportive educator who can have that kind of positive impact in the classroom.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your upbringing, and what you're studying?I am from Springville, Utah, and I’m currently working towards a B.A. in History Teaching with a minor in Educational Psychology. On my dad’s side I am Northern Ute and Hopi. His father is from Myton, Utah and his mother is Hopi from Northeast Arizona and Chinese. My mother is white and grew up in the Portland, Oregon area.
How did you first get involved with the NETE?I was introduced to the NETE before I was really even thinking about college. My family has been going to the University of Utah’s powwow for probably a decade, so I always knew there was a welcoming space here for Native students. I recognized one of the NETE program managers at a powwow we were both dancing at and decided to introduce myself. She encouraged me to apply for the Native Ascent Scholars Program (NASP) which covers the cost of my housing. From there I felt like I had a connection to NETE, which made me feel more confident heading into college, and by March of my senior year of high school I was set on attending the U.
What role does the NETE play in your life on campus — both personally and academically?I remember going up to the NETE house between when I moved to campus and the first day of classes to familiarize myself with the community and get some of my questions answered. I am immensely grateful for NETE’s housing scholarship that allows me to live on campus! The NETE also helps me to connect with other Native students at the U. For example, my roommate last year was Navajo and that was an awesome experience, especially because I came from a high school with almost no other Native students.
There are also so many events and programs that I love being involved with. My favorite activity last year was helping run the U of U powwow. It felt good to help put on this community event and see the successful results. In June I attended the Native Excellence Gala and was so happy to be able to celebrate our community on campus. I really just feel so much more confident knowing I have the NETE support system to lean on and I know that if I was struggling, whether academically or personally, they would have my back.
In what ways do you hope to foster connection and visibility for Native students and culture at the U?Because we are the Utah Utes, positive representation of actual Indigenous people at the U is critical. Native people are more than a mascot or a nickname, so it’s imperative that we highlight that. I try to represent in a good way and participate in NETE activities as much as I can to foster campus connections and Native visibility. Being proud of who we are as Native people is important!
Why did you choose the U?It might sound a bit silly to say but growing up in Utah I always thought the U was cool! I had visited campus a couple of times, including for a campus tour, and was impressed by the beautiful campus and all the student resources. When I was younger, I would watch the annual Ute Proud halftime at a football game and was amazed and so excited about the Native representation. Plus, I knew about the Center for Native Excellence & Tribal Engagement and that they provide great support to Native students, so I was excited to get involved with that. I also really like Salt Lake City. I grew up about an hour south and would drive up relatively often for concerts or activities. The environment in Salt Lake is very different from the town I grew up in, which is something that I was looking for, but I also like that my family is close by.
What does your cultural identity mean to you, and how has it shaped your experience at the U?My Native identity shapes my experience at the U because it shapes my entire life. It is an interesting sort of juxtaposition to be a Ute at a university where students call themselves The Utes. I am incredibly proud to be Native. My family is very resilient and I am proud to be here as a result. I have seen in all areas of my life that leaning in and participating in my Native culture sets me up to learn and grow and become a better person.
How has your involvement with the NETE shaped your goals or plans for the future?It has really reaffirmed that I enjoy being in college and that I do want to be a high school history teacher. Education, and good education programs, are imperative, and the way we teach history has a real-world impact. I want to be a supportive educator who can have that kind of positive impact in the classroom.