Steve Saffron of Phoenix, Ariz., from Valley of the Sun and former director of American Indian Programs at Scottsdale Community College, is the keynote speaker and will lead the conference activities with a focus on “Positive Attitude, Positive Humor, Positive Friends and Positive Career.” Saffron’s career in Indian education began as a counselor and assistant principal at Alchesay High School in White River, Ariz. He continued to work in Mesa Public Schools as a counselor with students from the Salt River Indian community, and was eventually chosen by the Salt River Indian Education Department to become the director of American Indian Programs at Scottsdale Community College. Saffron was recently honored with the “Devoted and Distinguished Service Award” for more than 20 years of educational service to the Salt River Pima / Maricopa Indian Community.

The 15th Building Bridges Conference begins at 8:45 a.m. with the opening ceremony by Gene Thin Elk, director of Native American Student Services at USD. The Building Bridges Information Fair will take place concurrently with the conference in the East Lounge of the Muenster University Center where representatives from several USD academic departments and student support services will be available to share information about their programs. More information, including registration information and a conference agenda, is available by visiting www.usd.edu/bridges.

Building Bridges provides opportunities for students, counselors, and faculty to learn effective ways to make higher education a positive experience for all students, but especially for Native students. A limited number of lodging grants are available for high school groups on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, please contact the Clinical Psychology Program/BRIDGES Conference Committee at (605) 677-5353 or e-mail bridges@usd.edu.

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