Abstract Information: Coconino Community College (CCC), situated in northern Arizona and spanning an 18,000-square-mile area, serves a diverse student body, including a significant proportion of Native American students. Despite these students' rich cultural heritage in our community, they face distinct challenges in accessing higher education and achieving academic success. The "Strengthening Indigenous Student Success" project addresses the underrepresentation of Native American students in higher education through targeted interventions focusing on access, belonging, support services, and culturally responsive curriculum. This initiative includes the establishment of a summer bridge program for incoming Native American students, the creation of Native American Success Centers at CCC campuses in Flagstaff and Page, and the development of culturally responsive curriculum and teaching practices. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, CCC endeavors to enhance Native American students' academic achievements, sense of belonging, and, ultimately, their success in higher education. Our session will share insights on overcoming barriers to implementation and discuss the impacts of these efforts on student outcomes. Through this collaborative dialogue, we aim to share lessons learned and learn from others how to generate actionable ideas to bridge equity gaps for Indigenous and underrepresented students in higher education settings.
