Contributed Photo: Mary Kim Titla, center, spoke at EAC recently. Pictured with her are, from left, EAC President Todd Haynie and Jeanne Bryce, EAC vice-president of student and academic affairs.
By Lori Dugan
THATCHER – Mary Kim Titla, a former EAC student and news journalist, and current executive director with Unity, a national network that promotes personal development among Native American youth, was the featured speaker at Eastern Arizona College’s spring orientation meeting. Throughout her presentation, she shared various ways EAC’s faculty and staff can better engage Native American students.
Titla began her remarks by teaching those in attendance how to greet Apache students. “We don’t have a word for hello, and this one is only three syllables,” Titla said. “Repeat after me, dagote´. Now you have a way to greet your Apache students.”
Titla was invited to speak on behalf of EAC’s diversity and inclusion
“Ancestry is so very important to all Native students,” Titla said. “It defines who they are and plays a key role in their academic success.” A descendant of three Apache chiefs, Titla emphasized the role her family played with her success. “I was very fortunate because my beautiful mother and awesome father encouraged me to stay in school.
“Creating a community on campus for Native American students is so important. There are many unique challenges that Native students face. I had many mentors at EAC who took the time to really know me. One was named Paul Phelps, an instructor who saw a desire in me and recognized my love for writing. He encouraged me to change my major to journalism.”
Titla’s presentation included remarks on Apache clothing and jewelry and the meanings associated with them. She referenced the abalone shells that adorn many articles which represent White Painted Woman, who is sacred to Apache beliefs. “As you get to know your Native students, please know that the things they wear and the things they do are for a reason,” Titla said.
Titla provided an overview regarding college enrollment for Native American Students. She stated that Native Americans comprise about one percent of the U.S. undergraduate population and less than one percent of the graduate population. In 2017, 27 percent of Native American college students obtained an associate’s degree compared to 54 percent for white students. In addition, 16 percent of Native American students received a bachelor’s degree compared to 42 percent for white students.
“EAC aspires to be a place of true equality, and it is crucial for our faculty and staff to have meaningful cross-cultural exchanges,” said Jeanne Bryce, EAC vice-president of academic and student affairs. “We are so proud of Mary Kim and are grateful that she came back to campus to strengthen our ability to teach other Native students. In the process of learning more about Native cultures, I think we learn a great deal about ourselves.”
