April Yazza

April Brannon Yazza is of the Red Running into the Water People clan born for the Zuni People. Her paternal father is of the Zuni People and maternal father is of the Black Streak Wood. She is a dedicated graduate student who embodies the values of honesty, imagination, and compassion. Hailing from the captivating landscapes of Tsayatoh, NM, located on the Navajo Nation reservation, family, for April, stands as the cornerstone of her identity. Her journey towards a Doctorate in the Native American Leadership in Doctoral Education (NALDE) at the University of New Mexico (UNM) reflects her resilience and commitment to uplifting others. This ultimately motivates her to break the cycle of generational trauma and forge a legacy of resilience. She firmly believes in the transformative power of vulnerability and the beauty of seeking assistance, dedicated to fostering connections that inspire growth and healing. Her goal is to transform and engage workplace culture research for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Additionally, April fosters community growth, as a national co-chair for the Indigenous Peoples Knowledge Community for Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA). Her hope is to continue the spirit of volunteerism to meet the needs of her home communities and within the field.

As the AISES Communications Officer, April works cross-departmentally to refine organizational messaging on the AISES website, email communications, and other platforms and develops campaign strategies and processes that inspire action and support of Indigenous People in STEM.