Hi, my name is Normalinda Sidney. Today is graduation day. Today I graduate with a master’s in sustainability (from ASU), but yet 13 years ago, Higher Education had helped me with obtaining a bachelor’s in interior design (from Northern Arizona University). I would like to thank the people at Salt River Higher Ed for helping me through my educational journey.

Advice?
Any advice I would give to incoming students is get comfortable talking to a camera. Yes, we are returning back to normal but a lot of my projects were recorded and turned in for grades. So, [I recommend] as much as you can practice right now talking to a camera, whether it be a Zoom call or FaceTime call.

Tips?
I am here to encourage anybody who is on the fence about returning back to school. Please reach out to an advisor at Higher [Education]. They’re able to help you find a program or funding that meets your needs. If you are a student with Salt River Higher [Education]. I highly encourage you to stay in contact with your advisor.

My advisor was Mario. Through my graduate studies, it happened during COVID times, and he was able to give me resources that I wasn’t aware of that I qualified for as an online student. My scholarship allowed me to return back to school as a working mother, but yet with Mario’s help I was able to complete my capstone on time.

I would not be here without the people at Higher Education and Tribal Council for allowing these funds to support scholars like me.