USD Students Receive Honorable Mentions for Prestigious Udall Scholarship
The recognition is a testament to the achievements of these students and their potential to make a difference in their chosen fields.
The Udall Scholarship is awarded to students who are committed to careers in environmental, tribal public policy or Native health care fields, and who show leadership potential, a strong record of public service and academic achievement.
Matayah Yellow Mule
Yellow Mule, a social work major with a minor in criminal justice—as well as a track & field student-athlete—is a first-generation college student and a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation. She is passionate about tribal public policy, ensuring that resources, support and guidance are made available to Native youth in Rapid City, South Dakota and surrounding areas.
“Receiving this honorable mention means a lot to me. It encourages me to have more pride in the work I’m doing,” said Yellow Mule. “It allows me to reflect on the work done so far and the work I must continue to do for the benefit of Native people and youth.”
Yellow Mule was first introduced to tribal public policy through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. When she was in the program, Yellow Mule was mentored by Dr. Tracy Davies, who met with her weekly for activities like hiking, painting and baking. That mentorship opened doors to more opportunities as a teen and young adult, which helped Yellow Mule see how support systems like mentor programs can transform lives—a realization that inspired her career in tribal policy.
“Public service is the root of my career. I am learning the skills necessary to help individuals receive adequate care to live healthy, comfortable lives,” said Yellow Mule. “This recognition encourages me to move forward to serve those in need and strive for equity.”
At USD, Yellow Mule serves as president of the Cultural Wellness Coalition and as co-president of the Tiospaye Student Council.
“Being part of these student-led organizations inspires my commitment to live out the values of the Udall Foundation,” said Yellow Mule. “They uplift Native students and empower us to lead by mentoring younger students, connecting with communities and promoting Native representation and success in higher education.”
She also gives credit to her USD professors, mentors and coaches Melissa Berninger, director of the Honors Program; Megan Red Shirt-Shaw, Ph.D., director of Native Student Services; John Little, Ph.D., director of Native Recruitment & Alumni Engagement; Brooke Jackson, coordinator of Native Student Services; and Lucky Huber, director of USD track & field.
“These individuals challenge me to think about my future and embrace opportunity,” said Yellow Mule. “They lift me up and offer support, which gives me confidence. I’m extremely grateful for their guidance.”
Yellow Mule’s future plans include attending law school or obtaining her master’s in legal studies, and working with youth in the corrections and criminal justice system in Rapid City.
Angel Vasquez
For Vazquez, a double major in sustainability and anthropology, with a specialization in cultural anthropology, receiving the Udall Scholarship honorable mention fills him with pride for his work—advocating for environmental justice, preserving cultural heritage and pursuing community-based solutions.
“It’s incredibly encouraging to be recognized by an organization that champions the intersection of environment and public service, as well as community and Indigenous voices,” said Vazquez. “It reaffirms the work I’m passionate about. I’m proud to be nominated as a suitable candidate and earn recognition for this competitive scholarship.”
Vazquez’s involvement in community engagement led him to pursue the Udall Scholarship.
“The foundation’s emphasis on consensus and civility has a strong impact on me,” said Vazquez. “Their values of collaboration and civility will serve as guiding principles in my future career. They remind me that real, lasting change comes from building trust, listening deeply and working collaboratively—even with those who may hold different perspectives.”
Vazquez has worked as a park ranger with the National Park Service and interned with the Minnesota Historical Society. His classes in sustainability and anthropology have helped him see the connection between people, culture and the environment.
He credits Berninger and Little for encouraging him to apply for the scholarship, as well as USD’s Department of Sustainability & Environment’s mission to foster a campus-wide culture of sustainability.
As a participant in the Udall Scholarship, Vazquez looks forward to connecting with peers and mentors committed to environmental stewardship and Indigenous issues.
“I plan to use the knowledge and connections I gain through the Udall Scholarship recognition to build meaningful partnerships and better understand how I can create lasting change at USD,” said Vazquez.
In the future, Vazquez intends to pursue a graduate program to continue building his interdisciplinary background and conduct research focused on environmental justice, cultural knowledge and sustainable development, particularly in collaboration with Indigenous communities.
About the Udall Foundation
The Morris K. Udall Foundation was established by the U.S. Congress in 1992 as an independent executive branch agency to honor Morris K. Udall's lasting impact on this nation’s environment, public lands, and natural resources, and his support of the rights and self-governance of Native Americans and Alaska Natives. In 2009, Congress enacted legislation to also honor Stewart L. Udall for his half century of distinguished national leadership in environmental and Native American policy. The agency is known today as the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation (Udall Foundation) and is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona.
You May Also Like
USD's Germanium Crystal Growth and Detector Development Lab Gains National Visibility
The University of South Dakota’s Germanium Crystal Growth and Detector Development Laboratory is gaining national attention as a cutting-edge research facility in advanced materials and detector technologies.
USD's Alumni Mentoring Program Builds Bridges Across Generations
The Alumni Mentoring Program, a collaborative initiative between the University of South Dakota Foundation & Alumni Association and the Center for Career Design, aims to support guided, meaningful connections between alumni and students.
Planting Roots: USD’s Campus Community Expands Native Planting Efforts
University of South Dakota faculty, staff and students are expanding South Dakota native plants to the campus landscape — a sustainability initiative that has grown into a powerful example of environmental stewardship.
