Endorsements
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Diana Onco-Ingyadet in the fall of 2021, at the Native American Cultural Center at Yale University. Over my three years of knowing Diana, I have been a beneficiary of her deep dedication to the Native and Indigenous student body and beyond. In Diana’s roles as both Assistant Director at the NACC and Associate Director of Academic Affairs for Yale Young Global Scholars Program she has fostered a space of genuine community building at the university.
Beyond her service to the student body as a mentor, professor, and friend, she works diligently toward building systems of support between scholars and professionals across departments on campus through Indigenous Leaders at Yale.
On a personal note, Diana has been a model of a mother, educator, and multifaceted professional for me, providing an example of the possibilities of expansive leadership. Diana took time during my graduate years to regularly check in on how I was adjusting, she recommended me for summer teaching opportunities, and extended her encouragement as I was a first generation minority student. Diana was the first person to welcome me not just to the NACC but to Yale. Her warmth immensely aided in my sense of belonging at Yale.
Emily Velez Nelms
Yale University
Masters of Env. Design,2024'
(written June 2024)
Over the past year, I have worked with Dr. Onco-Ingyadet in my role on house staff for the Native American Cultural Center and as the President of the Association of Native Americans at Yale. As the Assistant Director of the Native American Cultural Center, Diana is one of the most reliable, supportive, and enthusiastic administrative leaders that I have met in my educational journey. She is consistently driven, making herself available to support students in a variety of capacities and organize events and community activities that make the Native American Cultural Center a safe, welcoming, and happy place for all. Furthermore, Diana collaborates with other leaders across cultural centers and other Yale organizations, promoting Indigenous events and working to form long-lasting relationships. She works endlessly to give Indigenous student voices a space and platform within larger institutions, and these efforts empower these students to succeed in their personal and academic lives.
Meghanlata Gupta
Ojibwe
Yale University
Class of 2021
(written April 2020)
I worked with Dr. Diana Onco-Ingyadet during my time at Northern Arizona University as a peer mentor where she was my supervisor. Diana had been a huge support, reliable, inspirational, and an enthusiastic administrative leader that I have had the honor to have met in my educational journey. During her time she encouraged and gave many Indigenous students like myself a voice and sought to continue to encourage students of their potential and capability to make a difference and succeed in both their personal and academic lives. She worked hard to create connections throughout campus and made sure she brought many viewpoints to be able to better help students and those among the campus community have a platform and a voice.