Elymash Yuuchaap

Directions Website

Elymash Yuuchaap Elymash Yuuchaap means "Youth Think" in 'Iipay Aa (the Kumeyaay people's language).

We are the Indigenous Scholars and Leaders Program at San Diego State University. Drawing from social justice and Indigenous lens, the Elymash Yuuchaap Indigenous Scholars and Leaders Program is designed to mentor and provide community-learning experiences for students pursuing higher education and preparing to serve Indigenous communities. Annually, a cohort of incoming SDSU first-year and transfer students is invited to participate in a series of leadership seminars and service activities. The seminars are scheduled weekly as part of a one-credit course through the Department of American Indian Studies., typically held on Friday afternoons. The seminar topics and activities are developed by community and tribal leaders with support from SDSU students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Throughout the year, scholars are also invited to participate in special events with nationally recognized speakers, local community leaders, and university officials.

Current EY Mentors ✨Mary Pojas and Nusun Pojas,✨ at the Blood Memory Exhibit opening reception this past Saturday. Congr...
09/16/2026

Current EY Mentors ✨Mary Pojas and Nusun Pojas,✨ at the Blood Memory Exhibit opening reception this past Saturday. Congrats on being featured alongside loved ones and also on your academic success and leadership in our EY program. Such kind and empowered Payómkawichum scholars and women.

The exhibit “examines how ancestral knowledge and cultural memory continue to shape the present through contemporary art practices. The exhibition centers the work of regional artists from Native nations and Indigenous communities who consider how ancestral knowledge and lived experience are passed on across generations.” American Indian Studies professor Matthew Valdivia was one of the featured artists.

Visit the California Center for the Arts, Escondido featuring other amazing artists as well.✨🖼️🎨

✨🎓it’s only the second week of the semester and we already miss Mark’s daily visit at the NRC✨Mark is one of our amazing...
09/01/2026

✨🎓it’s only the second week of the semester and we already miss Mark’s daily visit at the NRC✨

Mark is one of our amazing EY graduate students that completed his M.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences this year. It was beautiful to witness his impact on our EY undergraduate community, the NRC, and the way he modeled being a Native scholar.

His passion, service, advocacy, and grounded research for his tribe—the Navajo Nation—was inspiring and continues to unfold in ways that make us so proud. Ah’ee’hee Nitsa’go for all that you do Mark.

✨🪶Our graduates inspire us. They ground us in the work we do that transcends colonial universities and degrees.To know M...
08/05/2026

✨🪶Our graduates inspire us. They ground us in the work we do that transcends colonial universities and degrees.

To know Malaya is to know that future generations are in good hands especially here on Kumeyaay and Payómkawichum lands. She is not only brilliant but also humble. Her leadership and passion for her tribe and all Native communities is felt and embodied in all she does.

Malaya recently graduated with a B.A. in American Indian Studies and Communication and will be continuing on to graduate school this fall to pursue and MBA. It is an honor to know you Malaya and the NRC and EY fam are so proud of you! 🌄✨

✨🎓the summer got us feeling all nostalgic and grateful.We’d like to share some of the places our graduates are going and...
07/15/2026

✨🎓the summer got us feeling all nostalgic and grateful.

We’d like to share some of the places our graduates are going and the work they are doing that continue to make us so proud.

Their journeys are more than degrees. Skylar is showing us just that. She will be continuing her passion and gift of visual storytelling at Sky Bear Media, a Native-owned video production and media company based in Washington state.

Skylar was not only a leader on campus and an NRC student staff but also has the biggest heart. Sending all our love to Skylar from Kumeyaay lands as she continues to live out her dreams and thrive🎥💗

🎓✨the summer got us feeling all nostalgic and grateful.We’d like to share some of the places our graduates are going and...
07/15/2026

🎓✨the summer got us feeling all nostalgic and grateful.

We’d like to share some of the places our graduates are going and the work they are doing that continue to make us so proud.

Their journeys are more than degrees. Skylar is showing us just that. She will be continuing her passion and gift of visual storytelling at Sky Bear Media, a Native-owned video production and media company based in Washington state.

Sending all our love to Skylar from Kumeyaay lands as she continue to grow and thrive🎥💗

Haawka, haawka, ipai nya’maat, we can’t believe it’s already been a little over a month since our beautiful Native Grad ...
06/25/2026

Haawka, haawka, ipai nya’maat, we can’t believe it’s already been a little over a month since our beautiful Native Grad Ceremony🥺, where we honored and celebrated our amazing graduates alongside their families and loved ones🤍

It was especially memorable because it was one of our largest classes, with over 27 students including undergraduate and graduate students. Native and Indigenous scholars thriving is a beautiful sight to see! We are so incredibly proud of their journeys here at SDSU and the way they center not only their academic passions but also their communities, tribes, culture, traditions, and identity as they continue in their path post graduation. And the NRC and EY will continue to be your home.

We are also incredibly grateful to Sycuan for their generous and warm welcome into the Sycuan Tribal Hall where we held our Native Grad. Yaay ahan, che’haii’ahan to Sycuan✨ and to our lovely volunteers and everyone that made this day so special.

Haawka!The NRC is open during the summer to students and community members: 🌞Monday-Friday 🌞10am -2pm🌞EOP 115 You can al...
06/02/2026

Haawka!The NRC is open during the summer to students and community members:

🌞Monday-Friday
🌞10am -2pm
🌞EOP 115

You can also reach us at [email protected] or (619) 594-3188.

A big thank you to EY Mentor Kaleho for his presentation on From Ceremony to Social Dance: Exploring Movement Across Cul...
04/29/2026

A big thank you to EY Mentor Kaleho for his presentation on From Ceremony to Social Dance: Exploring Movement Across Cultures ✨ It was enriching to learn about dance throughout the years, how various cultures have used dance for different purposes, and bachata basics🕺🏾💃🏽 Thank you Kaleho!

Big thank you to our EY Mentor Abrianna for her presentation on Dance: A Tool of Connection and Wellness! We learned abo...
04/28/2026

Big thank you to our EY Mentor Abrianna for her presentation on Dance: A Tool of Connection and Wellness! We learned about dance through different Indigenous cultures and their ties to ancestral traditions, land, nature, and community. Through her thoughtful activity, we were able to move our body and venture outside of our comfort zones to learn some line dance. Thank you Abrianna! 🥰🤎✨

Application Due Soon 🗣️🗣️The Elymash Yuuchaap Indigenous Scholars & Leaders Program supports Indigenous students in buil...
04/22/2026

Application Due Soon 🗣️🗣️

The Elymash Yuuchaap Indigenous Scholars & Leaders Program supports Indigenous students in building confidence, leadership, and academic success while staying grounded in culture and connected in community!💫

📆Apply by May 1, 2026!!!
🔗Link in bio or scan the QR code to apply!

Address

5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA
92182

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Elymash Yuuchaap posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Sponsored

Share

Category