College Prep

Pathways: College Readiness & Career Exploration for Native Youth

We’re bridging the gap to higher education through mentorship, exposure, and community support.

Native youth face systemic barriers in education, from underrepresentation in schools to limited access to college resources.

At the Lindy Waters III Foundation, we believe that every Native student deserves the opportunity to thrive in higher education and beyond. This is something Lindy himself and our team cares deeply about.

Funded by a Dreamstarter Grant from Running Strong of American Indian Youth, this program was developed by Nizhóní Begay, a Stanford graduate and the Lindy Waters III Foundation Event & Grant Manager. As the only Native student at her high school, Nizhóní experienced firsthand how isolating and discouraging it can feel to navigate college systems without support. Today, she is building the program she once needed. Through this program, the Lindy Waters III Foundation supports Native students with free one-on-one mentorship, virtual workshops, campus visits, and year-round resources to help them navigate their journey to and through college. Whether it’s essay help, scholarship tips, or just someone to talk things through, we’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way.

“Some days, it feels like I’m waving my arms up and down, jumping and screaming into a world that still doesn’t know we exist—but we do exist. Our existence in as many spaces as possible is imperative to inspiring our youth and our shared successes.” – Nizhóní Begay

Why Pathways?

Native students are twice as likely to drop out of high school and make up just 1% of college enrollment.
Representation, mentorship, and exposure can change those outcomes.
The program is a collaboration between the Lindy Waters III Foundation, Mentor Grace Perez (Nooksack/Mexican) who works at Google, and Dreamstarter grantees Nizhóní Begay and Loren Waters (Executive Director, LWIII Foundation).