The University of Utah celebrated the official opening of a new student housing space designed to foster academic and social community for the Native Ascent Scholars Program (NASP). The Center for Native Excellence and Tribal Engagement (CNETE) hosted a ribbon-cutting and open house to mark the opening of the living-learning community.
The new residence provides a standalone space for up to a dozen students, offering amenities such as a full kitchen, study areas, and various gathering spaces for activities like watching movies or playing pool. Tashina Barber, the CNETE program manager, stated that the house represents the culmination of several years of work and provides a dedicated space for students to live in a culturally grounded environment focused on Native and Indigenous peoples.
This semester, 11 students serve as the initial residents of the living-learning community. While the space is designed for the NASP, applicants from various backgrounds and tribal affiliations are encouraged to apply for on-campus housing through the university housing portal.
Students residing in the house noted the benefits of the living-learning community, including the ability to develop camaraderie by interacting with peers who share similar goals. Sky Woods-Billy, a second-year biology major, said the community environment was evident even before arriving. Cliftene Duncan, a second-year writing and rhetoric student, noted that the social nature of the space allows students to learn from each other's diverse experiences and backgrounds.
