Executive Director (Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes)
Angelique has dedicated her professional career in service to tribal communities and creating positive impacts. As the Executive Director of American Indian Graduate Center (AIGC) & AIGC Scholars, she leads the Nation’s largest American Indian/Alaskan Native scholarship organization which has provided over $15 million annually in scholarships to students from over 500 tribes in all 50 states. Prior to her work at AIGC, Ms. Albert has served as the Executive Director of Salish Kootenai College Foundation where she was instrumental in planning, implementing the successful launch of their first $20 million capital campaign. She also served as Associate Director of the National American Indian Business Leaders Organization. She has served in various roles in philanthropy, including Lead Native American Program Officer for the Beaumont Foundation of America, and External Grant Reviewer for the Case Foundation. Ms. Albert’s early career began by serving her own tribe as a Legal Intern, Court Appointed Special Advocate, and Chief Juvenile Probation Officer.
Ms. Albert currently serves as a member of the Obama Foundation’s MBK Alliance Advisory Council. Additionally, she serves on the AISES Tribal Nations Advisory Council, and American for Indian Opportunity Advisory. She has served as a board member for the Potlatch Fund, as well as a board member of S&K Gaming, LLC, one of the Tribal corporations, with 4 subsidiary firms, owned by the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes. Angelique has a B.A. in Human Services and an MBA with a special emphasis in American Indian Entrepreneurship from Gonzaga University.
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Erin Griego
Executive Assistant
Erin joined the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars staff in April of 2011 working with students in the GMS program. Constantly inspired by the students she worked with, she enjoys celebrating the successes of the AIGC and AIGCS students. Erin is now the Executive Assistant and is responsible for various projects, processes and coordinating the Executive Director’s calendar and travel. Erin brings a background in customer service to AIGC she draws on this experience to lead the AIGC Administrative team in providing support to the AIGC staff.
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Christa Moya
Director of Financial Aid / Student Services (Diné)
As the Director of Financial Aid and Student Services, Christa manages and directs all aspects of student services and financial aid operations. She also supervises Outreach, Academic Empowerment, Leadership and Alumni Relation programs for the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars (AIGCS) and the Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMSP). Her passions include developing innovative approaches to delivering programs and services to GMS Scholars, as well as assisting scholars with exploring positive educational experiences through program support, outreach, and advocacy.
Christa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Criminology from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Arts Degree in Community and Regional Planning, also from the University of New Mexico. Christa is an active participant in the organization’s community outreach activities and represents AIGC Scholars on the GMS Advisory Council and Gates Foundation Domestic Scholarship Provider Partnership.
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Josh Lucio
Program Associate for Scholarships and Programs (Zuni Pueblo)
As the Program Associate, Josh is responsible for the oversight of AIGC scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate level students. He will assist with the application process, respond to academic inquiries including financial aid issues, and assist with outreach efforts.
Josh is Zuni Pueblo from Zuni, New Mexico. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology with two minors in Chemistry and American Indian Studies from the University of Arizona. He was also an active member of the American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) and Beta Sigma Epsilon, an American Indian Fraternity. Josh joined AIGCS in September 2014 having served seven years administering the Zuni Tribal Scholarship program and coordinating various training opportunities for Zuni Tribal Members. In addition, Josh served a number of years as a Reader for the Gates Millennium Scholars Program, an Adjunct Instructor for the University of New Mexico-Gallup branch campus, a board member of College Horizons and Graduate Horizons, Inc. and former Chairman with the New Mexico Tribal Higher Education Commission. He currently volunteers his time serving on the board of advisors for the Colorado Plateau Foundation. Josh enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with his lovely wife and two daughters.
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Marveline Vallo Gabbard
Program Associate for Scholarships and Programs (Acoma Pueblo)
As the Program Associate, Marveline is responsible for the oversight of AIGC scholarships and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate level students throughout the country. She will assist with the application processes, respond to academic inquiries including financial aid issues, and assist with outreach efforts.
Marveline is from the Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico. She earned her Bachelor of University Studies degree from the University of New Mexico. Marveline has been with AIGC since June 1998 and enjoys working with American Indian students in pursuing their educational goals. Prior to joining AIGC, Marveline worked with Pueblo of Acoma Higher Education Program as is where she began her higher education career.
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Michael Bates
Academic Advisor (Cherokee)
Michael joined AIGCS in May of 2015. He is a member of the Cherokee Nation based in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Michael was awarded the Gates Millennium Scholarship (GMS) in 2008. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Science Education from Northeastern State University (Tahlequah, OK) in 2012 and his Master of Education degree in School Administration, also from Northeastern State University, in 2015. As Academic Advisor, Michael works with undergraduate and graduate Gates Scholars at institutions throughout the country. He is responsible for providing career and academic counsel, advising current Gates Scholars of scholarship requirements and responsibilities, and facilitating the resolution of academic and financial aid issues. He also accommodates students and scholars with testing strategies and writing skills, evaluates academic transcripts, and responds to academic inquiries, among other academic matters. Furthermore, Michael provides overall program support to AIGCS/GMS programs.
Gabriel joined AIGCS in 2010. He is a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe based in Concho, Oklahoma. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics at Oklahoma Baptist University as a Gates Millennium Scholar. Prior to coming to AIGCS, Gabriel spent time at Fort Mojave Telecommunications Inc. and the Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes Department of Education. Gabriel is the Campus Engagement Manager for the Gates Millennium Scholars Program based in the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars (AIGCS). As a Campus Engagement Manager, Gabriel provides direct support to Gates Millennium Scholars linking them to campus resources and support to ensure their academic success. He develops and maintains relationships with college and university higher administrators to secure Scholar access to enrichment programs and leadership development, and he creates support networks for Scholars.
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Lakota Coriz
Program Assistant (Santo Domingo / Assiniboine)
Lakota joined AIGC in December 2015. Lakota is an enrolled member of Santo Domingo Pueblo. As Program Assistant, Lakota assists with document intake and field’s scholarships emails and phone calls. Lakota also assists with various projects designed to support AIGC scholarship recipients. Lakota enjoys spending time with her family and reading.
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Robin Jones
Development Officer
As Development Officer, Ms. Jones interacts with individual donors, tribal leaders, corporate executives, foundation program officers and more. She raises scholarship support, general operating support, researches grant opportunities, writes grant applications and reports, and monitors grant activities. Having received her doctorate degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder, she has taught in Colorado and New Mexico. She also served as executive director for Cornerstones Community Partnerships, a historic preservation/community revitalization not-for-profit in Santa Fe, New Mexico. A long time New Mexico resident, Ms. Jones volunteers with Silver Bullet Productions, an educational film making organization in Santa Fe.
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Janelle Cronin
Development Assistant (Navajo Nation)
As a member of the development team, Janelle supports a broad range of fundraising activities, with her responsibilities centered around administrative duties, maintaining the Development Department files and records, entering donor and pledge information into the database and assisting in donor and prospect research.
Janelle is from Gallup, New Mexico and she earned her baccalaureate of Natural Science degree from Haskell Indian Nations University in 2015. As a Sloan Indigenous Graduate Program Scholar, she earned her Master of Science degree in both Ecological Sciences & Engineering and Curriculum Studies & Instruction at Purdue University in May 2018.
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Sara LaBarge
Director of Development (Menominee Nation)
As Development Director, Sara is responsible for the oversight of AIGC’s Development team.
Sara is an enrolled member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. She was awarded the Gates Millennium Scholarship in 2004. She earned her baccalaureate degree from Saint Norbert College (De Pere, WI.) in 2008 and then went on to earn her Master of Science degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse in 2011. In 2016, Sara was honored as one of NCAIED’s 40 under 40 for her work in education in Indian country. She currently serves on the National Scholarship Providers Association New Member Welcome Committee. In her spare time, Sara enjoys being with her family, fishing, reading and traveling. Having served over a decade in higher education, Sara brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the field.
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Laboraex Abeita
Marketing Coordinator (Isleta Pueblo and Navajo Nation)
Laboraex joined the American Indian Graduate Center in July 2018. His responsibilities include managing the AIGC social media accounts and engagement strategies, designing marketing materials and publications, and building relationships online and in person.
Laboraex is a proud member of the Isleta Pueblo and Navajo Nation Tribes and graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design from the Southwest University of Visual Arts in 2014. He has contributed to multiple award-winning student and professional advertising campaigns through his expertise in photography, videography, print production, branding, and social media. His passion for communication and love for his Native community has made him a great fit at AIGC.
Outside of work, Laboraex enjoys playing music, traveling, meeting new people, practicing mixed martial arts, and spending time with his family. He hopes to one day travel the world and learn about the various cultures throughout our beautiful planet.
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Adele Begay
I.T. Assistant (Navajo)
Adele joined the AIGC staff in February of 2005. She holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Networking Technology from Central New Mexico Community College. Adele provides I.T. support for the staff as well as maintains the aigcs.org website.
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Vina Chavez
Receptionist (Navajo)
Yá’át’ééh! I am Vina K. Chavez from Na’Neelzhiin (Torreon), NM. I am Meadow People, born for the Mud Clan. The Red House People are my maternal grandfathers and the Tangle People are my paternal grandfathers. I hold an Associates of Applied Science degree in Professional Assistant and an Associates of Applied Science degree in Accounting from Navajo Technical University. I am working on my Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts at the University of New Mexico.
Vina joined the AIGCS/GMS staff in January of 2018.
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Adriann Francis
General Administrative Assistant (Pueblo of Laguna/Mojave)
As the General Administrative Assistant, Adriann provides support to all departments within AIGC.
Adriann is from the Pueblo of Laguna and joined the AIGC staff in January 2018; she is currently working on her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resource Management at the University of New Mexico. Adriann is very passionate about helping her Native American Community, and is happy to be a part of AIGC, helping Native American students reach for higher education.
