Uplifting Student Voices
The Bureau of Indian Education is committed to placing students at the center of everything it does. As part of this commitment, the BIE has established the Student Advisory Board — a group of student representatives who will provide valuable input on Bureau priorities and initiatives.
The Student Advisory Board is a key part of BIE efforts to improve communication and collaboration with students, who are among our most important stakeholders. By uplifting student voices, the Student Advisory Board will help ensure that BIE’s work reflects the needs, ideas, and experiences of the students we serve.
Members of the Student Advisory Board will meet regularly to share feedback, discuss challenges, and offer suggestions that support student success. Their contributions will help guide the implementation of BIE’s Strategic Direction and strengthen our mission to provide high-quality, culturally-based education.
The Student Advisory Board will consist of four to six members:
- One member to represent Bureau Operated Schools
- One member to represent Navajo Schools
- One member to represent Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
- One member to represent Haskell Indian Nations University
- One member to represent Tribally Controlled Schools (if choosing to participate)
- One member to represent Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) (if choosing to participate)
Applications for the 2026-2027 Student Advisory Board are due Friday, February 27, 2026, by 5 p.m. ET.
Only emailed applications are accepted. Email all application documents to BIE.SAB@BIE.EDU.
Eligibility and Responsibilities
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Student Advisory Board, students must:
- Be in good academic standing at the time of application, as certified by their local school leader.
- Be entering a BIE-funded high school or a BIE-funded post-secondary institution in the upcoming academic year.
- Complete every portion of the application process by the deadline.
Responsibilities
If selected, Student Advisory Board members will be expected to do the following:
- Meet biannually, either in person or virtually.
- Agree to serve and complete a 1-year term. (No member is eligible for reappointment once their term has ended.)
- Provide input on the priorities and progress of the BIE Strategic Direction as we strive to achieve the BIE’s mission and vision.
- Act on any deliverables resulting from their meetings, as appropriate.
- Maintain acceptable academic standing.
- Abide by all BIE Student Advisory Board Policies and Procedures.
Application Process
Students can be nominated by teachers, administrators, and other school personnel. Students can also self-nominate. A nominated student will be given an application packet to complete. The application packet includes an application form, including a short statement/essay, and one letter of recommendation. Applications will be reviewed and scored by a committee appointed by the BIE Director, assessing the following criteria:
- Academics: Is the student in good academic standing?
- Recommendation: Does the student meet the minimum recommendation requirement? If so, does the recommendation provided indicate the student would be a good fit for the Student Advisory Board?
- Statement and Essay: Does the student show an understanding of the BIE mission and vision and indicate they will be a good fit for the Student Advisory Board?
Timeline
- A call for nominations and applications will go out and be open for two months.
- The application review committee will review and score all applications within one month.
- Selection and notification will be sent to selected participants and their school administrators shortly after the application review committee’s decision, indicating acceptance to the Student Advisory Board for the following school year.
