Monik—outstanding student, American Indian College Fund (College Fund) Student Ambassador, aspiring IT professional, and single parent—draws her inspiration for success from her two children. “They are what pushed me to finish school, because I want them to have everything they need in life. They drive me to sustain good grades because I want a better future for us.”
Her concern for her family, and her drive to secure a better life for them, extends beyond her own household. Some of her siblings struggle with substance abuse and other problems, and she seeks to fill this gap to ensure the well-being of future generations. Monik strives to give her siblings’ children as much support as she can, helping them with homework and serving as a positive role model.
Monik’s journey to college began with a similar impulse to help her community. Her first career interest was in forensic science for law enforcement, but she elected not to take that path because of Navajo cultural beliefs about the dead. “I still want to pursue forensics,” she admits, “and I feel like I could go around the back way with computer forensics.” As she has pursued her computer science degree at Navajo Technical University, Monik has begun to consider other possible careers in technology. Regardless of the job she takes, she plans to pass her knowledge on to the community in some way, possibly by teaching programming to Navajo youth. She believes that more technical proficiency and improved infrastructure will help the Navajo Nation thrive. “We depend on technology for classes, work, and so much else,” she points out. “My community has to move forward with technology.” Monik intends to help drive that forward progress for her people.
“I am honored and thankful,” Monik says to the College Fund’s donors, “for the help you have given me. Thank you for helping me build a future for me and my children. I am overwhelmed with joy knowing you have helped me and pushed me to finish my education. Education gives me freedom. Everything can be taken away from me, but not my education, and you have helped me earn that.”