Admissions Counselors
Welcome to IAIA Office of Admissions! We are excited you are exploring to apply to IAIA for your future education journey. IAIA is the only four-year degree fine arts institution in the world devoted to contemporary Native American and Alaskan Native arts. As such, we dedicate ourselves, our curriculum, our facilities, and our energies to preparing our students for success and leadership which reflects Native cultures and values. As one of 37 tribal colleges located in the United States we are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), and are a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium.
Mission
“To empower creativity and leadership in Native Arts and cultures through higher education, life-long learning, and outreach.”
At IAIA our mission is more than a statement, it is the on-going objective of our highly talented and dedicated faculty and staff.
Recruitment Happenings
| Date | National Events | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 4–5, 2019 | AZ School Counselor Association Conference | Scottsdale, AZ |
| Feb. 6–8, 2019 | American Indian Studies Association Conference, UNM | Albuquerque, NM |
| Feb. 15–18, 2019 | UNITY Mid-Year Conference | Scottsdale, AZ |
| Feb. 22–23, 2019 | ASU Writing Conference & Literary Fair, Tempe Campus | Tempe, AZ |
| Mar. 4–6, 2019 | National Johnson O’Malley Conference | Las Vegas, NV |
| Mar. 7–9, 2019 | Native American Literature Symposium | Prior Lake, MN |
| Mar. 17–18, 2019 | AIHEC Spring Student Conference | Billings, MT |
| Apr. 26–27, 2019 | Gathering of Nations Powwow | Albuquerque, NM |
| May 24, 2019 | Society of North American Goldsmith’s Conference | Chicago, IL |
M. Talia White
Admissions Counselor M. Talia White (Diné (Navajo)/Tódich’ii’nii (Bitterwater)) born for Tséńjíkiní (Cliff Dwellers) is a member of the Admissions Team who proudly serves prospective students applying to IAIA. In her efforts, she aims to encourage and inspire students from a variety of communities and Indigenous Nations to pursue higher education. As a poet, she is passionate about the arts and firmly believes in IAIA’s mission to “Empower Creativity and Leadership in Native Arts and Education.” She holds a BA in Psychology and Native American Indigenous Studies and warmly extends her greetings to all those interested in learning more about IAIA and its many extraordinary programs and opportunities.
Assigned States
| Arizona | California | Colorado |
| Connecticut | Florida | Hawaii |
| Idaho | Illinois | Kansas |
| Massachusetts | Maryland | Missouri |
| North Carolina | Nebraska | New Hampshire |
| New Jersey | Nevada | New York |
| Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina |
| Virginia | Vermont | Washington |
| West Virginia | Wyoming |
Assigned New Mexico High Schools
| Albuquerque | Gallup | Grants |
| Eastern NM | Southern NM |
Talia White
Admissions Counselor
Admissions and Recruitment
P (505) 424-2315
E talia.white@iaia.edu
Roanna Shebala
Admissions Counselor Roanna Shebala (Diné (Navajo)/Zuni Pueblo) was born and raised on the Navajo Nation in Fort Defiance, AZ. Shebala is a spoken word artist and has been working in higher education for 11 years. Her background provides a strong passion for the arts and she encourages students to pursue a higher education in the fine arts to express their creativity. She graduated with BS in Theater, with a minor in English.
Assigned States
| Alaska | Alabama | Arkansas |
| Delaware | Georgia | Iowa |
| Indiana | Kentucky | Louisiana |
| Maine | Michigan | Minnesota |
| Mississippi | Montana | North Dakota |
| Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon |
| South Dakota | Texas | Utah |
| Wisconsin |
Assigned New Mexico High Schools
| Santa Fe | Northern NM | Four Corners |
| Rio Rancho | Jemez Valley | Bernalillo |
Roanna Shebala
(Diné/Zuni)
Admissions Counselor
Admissions and Recruitment
P (505) 424-5937
E roanna.shebala@iaia.edu
About IAIA
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) offers undergraduate degrees in Studio Arts, Creative Writing, Cinematic Arts and Technology, Indigenous Liberal Studies, and Museum Studies—a minor in Performing Arts, an MFA in Creative Writing, along with certificates in Business and Entrepreneurship, Museum Studies, and Native American Art History. IAIA is the only college in the nation dedicated to the study of contemporary Native arts. The school serves 517 full time equivalent (FTE) Native and non-Native American college students from across the globe. IAIA is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is the only college in New Mexico accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
For over 50 years, IAIA has played a key role in the direction and shape of Native expression. With an Internationally-acclaimed college, museum, and tribal support resource through our Land Grant programs, IAIA is dedicated to the study and advancement of Native arts and cultures, and committed to student achievement and the preservation and progress of their communities.
