Who We Are
The Program in Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) at The University of Texas at Austin aims to foster and support interdisciplinary teaching and research on the languages, cultures, knowledges, and histories of Indigenous peoples. We are committed to cultivating and developing good relations with American Indian tribes and Indigenous communities and nations in Texas and beyond.
Our program has a global, comparative focus with a particular strength in the Americas. We serve all students, faculty, staff, and community members interested in NAIS topics through academic programs, educational events, and community engagement.
NAIS is housed in the College of Liberal Arts, with faculty and course offerings that span schools and colleges including Architecture, Fine Arts, Law, and Natural Sciences. Our undergraduate certificate and graduate portfolio allow students to develop a comprehensive understanding of Indigenous thought, history, and issues. NAIS also provides a community for students through an endowed lecture, seminars, workshops, social events, and strong ties to student and community organizations. Our lounge in WCP 4.110 provides a gathering space for both undergraduate and graduate students.
What We're Fundraising For
NAIS is raising funds for student-led initiatives, scholarships, internships, and grants to support student research in Native American and Indigenous Studies. Undergraduate and graduate students will receive support to work with organizations that serve Indigenous communities, conduct NAIS-related research locally and internationally, attend NAIS-related conferences, and enroll in Indigenous language courses not available at UT Austin. Your gift will go directly to supporting student programming.
Your Impact
Each gift to the NAIS Program directly helps to support students as they progress on their academic journeys and engage in scholarship and community work with Indigenous communities. Past donations have enabled us to support student travel to academic conferences, fund student research projects in the United States and abroad, and offer scholarships and internships in partnership with the Native American Cultural Center. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Student Highlights



Please consider supporting the Program in Native American and Indigenous Studies at The University of Texas at Austin!
Gifts to College of Liberal Arts - Native American and Indigenous Studies contribute to...
Advocates π£
Community Advocates
Generated 3281 clicks and 310 gifts, totaling $35,401Soh Nishiyama
Generated 302 clicks and 116 gifts, totaling $19,672Luke Mastrian
Generated 339 clicks and 233 gifts, totaling $18,348David Griffin
Generated 170 clicks and 61 gifts, totaling $11,515Randall Ford
Generated 113 clicks and 16 gifts, totaling $5,825Anna Boxall
Generated 294 clicks and 21 gifts, totaling $3,765Mark Carella
Generated 130 clicks and 18 gifts, totaling $3,717Victoria Mena
Generated 97 clicks and 7 gifts, totaling $3,560Sam Zarou
Generated 71 clicks and 21 gifts, totaling $3,260Katelyn Rood
Generated 174 clicks and 16 gifts, totaling $3,233Leaderboards & Donors π
View All Donors









Advocates, you have until 10:00 p.m. CST to solidify your rankings. Good luck!
Gift Count Leaders
1. Luke Mastrian β 232
2. Soh Nishiyama β 116
3. David Griffin β 59
4. Jacob β 38
5. Rizky Pratama β 29
Dollars Raised Leaders
1. Soh Nishiyama β $19,672
2. Luke Mastrian β $18,338
3. David Griffin β $11,414.60
4. Randall Ford β $5,675
5. Mark Carella β $3,717
Winners will be announced on May 1.
35 days ago by Pablo MoraLonghorns, this is the final sprint of 40 Hours for the Forty Acres!
Make your final gift now and help push us across the finish line at 10:00 p.m. CST.
Competing on a leaderboard? Every gift and share can still change the standings and this is your last chance to claim advocate incentives.
35 days ago by Pablo MoraFinal hour, Advocates! Nothing is locked in! Every share and every gift can still change the leaderboard. The top five advocates in each challenge earn extra match dollars for the designation of their choice.
Gift Count Leaders
1. Luke Mastrian β 231
2. Soh Nishiyama β 116
3. David Griffin β 59
4. Jacob β 38
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon β 25
Dollars Raised Leaders
1. Soh Nishiyama β $19,672
2. Luke Mastrian β $18,288
3. David Griffin β $11,414.60
4. Randall Ford β $5,675
5. Mark Carella β $3,717
One final update will be placed on the 40 for Forty site at 9:30 p.m. CST.
35 days ago by Pablo MoraHereβs where things stand right now in our Advocate Challenges. Every share and every gift counts, nothing is locked in yet. Remember that the top five advocates for each challenge get additional match dollars for a designation of their choice.
Current Leaders
Advocate Challenge: Gift Count Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest number of gifts so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - 189 gifts
2. Soh Nishiyama - 76 gifts
3. David Griffin - 48 gifts
4. Jacob - 27 gifts
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon - 23 gifts
Advocate Challenge: Dollars Raised Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest cumulative dollars so far:
1. Soh Nishiyama - $13,950
2. Luke Mastrian - $13,428
3. David Griffin - $9,695
4. Randall Ford - $5,475
5. Mark Carella - $3,567
Huge thanks to our advocates who are pushing hard and setting the pace. Leaders, defend your spot as we make our way to the 10:00 p.m. CST finish line!
35 days ago by Pablo MoraWeβre excited to share a snapshot of the current standings in our two Advocate Challenges during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres. These rankings reflect where things stand right now and thereβs still plenty of time to keep moving up! Remember that the top five advocates in each challenge get additional match dollars for a designation of their choice.
Advocate Challenge: Gift Count Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest number of gifts so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - 156 gifts
2. Soh Nishiyama - 35 gifts
3. David Griffin - 26 gifts
4. Jacob - 18 gifts
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon - 15 gifts
Advocate Challenge: Dollars Raised Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest cumulative dollars so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - $8,943
2. Soh Nishiyama - $5,960
3. David Griffin - $4,945
4. Randall Ford - $4,375
5. Emily Quigley - $2,376
A huge thank you to everyone who has already stepped up as an advocate. Your outreach, enthusiasm, and commitment are powering 40 Hours for the Forty Acres.
Keep sharing your links, keep spreading the word, and keep up the great work, we canβt wait to see how these leader boards shift as we approach the finish on April 30 at 10 p.m. CST!
36 days ago by Pablo Mora