“Oh my gosh, it’s such a relief,” said Madonna, a proud member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma. “I feel more powerful, confident. It’s just a huge relief and accomplishment. I spent a lot of time and dedication on this. It feels really good to be done and finished with it.” 

Madonna earned a master’s in strategic communication and digital strategy at the University of Oklahoma. This achievement carries meaning not only for her, but for her four children as well. 

 “I hope it gives them that path of, look what your Mom did. With hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything you put your mind to,” she said. 

Her success is especially significant given that Native Americans comprise only 1% of the U.S. undergraduate population and less than 1% of the graduate population. Madonna defied those odds, becoming a role model for her children and community. 

This milestone was made possible in part by the American Indian Education Fund® (AIEF), a program of Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA). Madonna received an AIEF scholarship for the 2024-2025 school year, which lifted a tremendous weight from her shoulders. “The money part was easy to figure out. It really helped my family. It wasn’t such a stress anymore of, ‘How am I going to pay for this semester or the next one?’” she said. 

She wants donors to know the impact of their generosity: “Thank you immensely for all of your support. This journey wasn’t an easy one. A lot of sacrifices were made, but I was able to finish and power through thanks to your donations.” 

Madonna is now putting her degree to work by stepping into a new professional role while launching her own business. She specializes in strategic communications and digital strategy for Native American organizations and businesses, bringing cultural authenticity and representation into every project.  

“I do want to continue my education for my doctoral. Right now, I’m going to be putting my master’s to work,” said Madonna. “I just got a new position; I’m excited to start that. And I’m going to be starting my new business as well.” 

She recommends future students who apply for an AIEF scholarship to “think about their goals and what they want to accomplish in school, and for their future. People look at passion, and if you have a clear goal for that. Definitely apply; it helps a lot. It’s a recurring scholarship, so as long as you meet the qualifications, you’ll get it again, so it’s amazing.” 

Your generosity made Madonna’s journey possible, from the financial relief that supported her family to the encouragement that fueled her determination. When you give to AIEF, you’re not just funding education – you’re building confidence, inspiring future generations, and helping Native leaders like Madonna thrive. 

Please donate to AIEF today to support more Native scholars on the path to graduation.