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When members of South Dakota State University’s AISES chapter wanted to attend the national organization’s conference, the College of Nursing stepped up to make it happen.

The college donated $4,000 to support travel and event costs.

“In alignment with the university, the College of Nursing has made a firm commitment to the success of our Native American students, and providing funding for national conferences contributes to their success,” said Mary Anne Krogh, Roberta K. Olson Endowed Dean of the College of Nursing.

AISES, formerly the American Indian Science and Engineering Society and now Advancing Indigenous People in STEM, held its conference in early October 2025 in Minneapolis. Over 3,000 total Indigenous STEM professionals and students attended.

Wiyaka His Horse is Thunder is Hunkpapa and Oglala Lakota. She’s the Larson Family Endowed Director of American Indian Student Engagement and Success and works closely with South Dakota State’s AISES chapter.

“The conference is a really great professional development experience. Students get to go to presentations, see research posters and attend networking opportunities. Plus, you can learn about scholarships and even do job interviews there,” His Horse is Thunder said.

Three Jackrabbits — Savanah Crowe, Michael Hall and Megan Begeman — attended.

A surprise, but not a big surprise

SDSU’s chapter has won an award every year at the national conference since the 2021-22 academic year. Previously, it received the Outreach and Community Service Chapter Award, the Advocacy Partner Service Award, the Recruitment and Retention Award, the Impact to AISES Mission Award and the Stelvio J. Zanin Distinguished Chapter of the Year Award.

The national organization bestows awards based on the content of each chapter’s end-of-year report.

Going into the 2025 conference, the chapter knew it might continue its winning streak.

“Chapters are notified if they’re selected as a potential award recipient. Then, at the luncheon while they’re there, they’re surprised in front of a lot of conference attendees if they win,” His Horse is Thunder explained.

The SDSU AISES chapter went home with the Stelvio J. Zanin Distinguished Chapter of the Year Award, the second time the chapter earned that award. It recognizes the chapter for exemplifying excellence in STEM.

The Jackrabbits beat out more than 100 other chapters at universities across the U.S. and Canada. It also made 2025 the fifth consecutive year the chapter received an award at the national conference.

Supporting excellence

His Horse is Thunder says traveling to and attending a multiday conference can be costly.

“The club does fundraisers throughout the year that help support these costs, but the funding that they receive from departments on campus provides a big chunk of that funding that allows them to go,” she said.

Many colleges and departments are regular providers of funding for AISES students, including the College of Nursing.

“I feel like they’re really supportive when it comes to Indigenous students on campus,” His Horse is Thunder said.

The college has a Native American Nursing Education Center on its Rapid City campus, which offers Indigenous-focused events and services.

All of this support also means Indigenous STEM students can focus on their own events and services.

AISES hosts several fundraisers for the chapter, as well as for Native organizations off campus. It also co-sponsors programming with SDSU’s American Indian Student Center to raise awareness about issues impacting Native communities.

“It’s been really great to see how our AISES chapter has grown over the years and continues to develop in their leadership on campus,” His Horse is Thunder said.