Valene TalksDifferent Receives Student Leadership Diversity Award

Valene TalksDifferent received a Student Leadership Diversity Award at the annual UM Student Recognition Award Ceremony on May 4th. Valene is a junior in the SPCHS Public Health B.S. degree program and is also minoring in Native American Studies. Valene is a Native American, first generation student and a White Clay tribal member. Valene served as Vice President of Kyiyo Native American Student Association 2018-2019 and 2020-2021. She received the American Indian College Fund Full Circle scholarship which led to attending the Diverse Scholars Initiative conference in Washington D.C. in 2018 and 2019. Valene has been a recipient of the Elouise Cobell Memorial Scholarship and the Francis and Florence Jones Greaves Native American Scholarship. Collectively, these academic, community and campus activities and awards demonstrate Valene’s leadership, role modeling and contributions to diversity, equity and inclusion!