Native American House Ambassador Program

Mia Davlantis (Menominee)

Major: Aerospace Engineering, Grainger College of Engineering

My name is Mia Davlantis, and I am a sophomore majoring in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I am maternally Menominee and was raised in Springfield, Illinois. I chose to attend Illinois because of the positive interactions I had with faculty during campus visits and the university’s strong reputation as a leading research institution.

As a freshman, I was a member of the Pumps subteam within the Liquid Rocketry at Illinois registered student organization. I am currently taking a short break from the team to focus on my role as a Student Ambassador for the Native American House, but I plan to rejoin in the spring semester.

After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue a master’s in Nuclear Engineering. My ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of nuclear fusion engines for spacecraft. I am deeply passionate about aerospace and nuclear engineering because I believe that the complexity and innovation within these fields hold the potential to create transformative technologies that benefit humanity as a whole.

Ingrid Gonzalez (Yaqui)

Major: History, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Lios em chaniavu, ketche’m allea? Inepo Ingrid-Amalfi Guandique Gonzalez teak. Inepo emo majtame a Yoomajtikari Illinoispo Urbanapo-Champaignpoem Majtikari Bato’ora jiawaita etejome jakko weeriata bichame. Inepo Noktotohame Vato Itom Aniam Atte’ak. Inepo Mexicopo, El Salvadorpo, Jiak Vatwe Hoak.

My name is Ingrid-Amalfi Guandique Gonzalez, and I am a Native American House Ambassador and transfer student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, majoring in History within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I come from a rich multicultural background with roots in Mexico, El Salvador, and the Rio Yaqui, and I take great pride in the diverse cultures that shape my identity.

I chose to attend the University of Illinois during my second semester at the College of Southern Nevada, when I began exploring four-year institutions to complete my bachelor’s degree. Illinois immediately stood out to me, not only for its academic excellence and reputation as a leading public university, but also for the vibrant community and opportunities for cultural engagement that it offers.

Ashlee Shoemaker (Diné)

Major: Mechanical Engineering, Grainger College of Engineering

Yà'àt'èèh! Ashlee yinishyé, Honágháahnii nishłį́, Bilágáana bá shíshchíín, Tótsohnii dashicheii, Bilagáana dashinálí, díígi átʼéego chʼikę́ę́h nishłį́ .

Hello, my name is Ashlee Shoemaker, and I am a citizen of the Navajo Nation. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and began attending the University of Illinois in Fall 2023. I am currently a junior majoring in Mechanical Engineering.

I previously worked with the Trickster Cultural Center, an organization located in Schaumburg, Illinois, dedicated to promoting Native culture and fostering community through education and events. Through this work, I volunteered at numerous gatherings, including the National Gathering of American Indian Veterans, youth cultural camps, and the Tribal Youth Council. These experiences deepened my understanding of the importance of community-based learning, cultural continuity, and advocacy, and they inspired me to become involved with the Native American House.

This spring, I am excited to join the Native American House Ambassador Program, where I look forward to learning from Indigenous leaders and peers, strengthening my connection to my own culture, and sharing Indigenous knowledge with the campus and broader community.