In mid-June, the University Libraries hosted an annual computer build with a cohort (group) of high school students in the year-long University of Arizona Native American Science and Engineering Program (NASEP). The computer build is part of the summer residential portion of NASEP, and cohorts are usually capped at 25 students.

NASEP is designed to:

• give Native American, Alaskan Native, and Hawaiian Native high school students insight into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) career paths
• connect students with STEM academic professionals and industry representatives
• encourage students to complete chemistry, physics, and pre-calculus before high school graduation

The University of Arizona has sponsored this event for the past 14 years, but, this year "the Libraries sponsored it 100% and hosted it," said Steven Chang, University Libraries Technology & Strategy Services (TeSS) Department Head. "What's more, we used the educational technology (EdTech) such as the modems and tools from our Learning [CATalyst] Studios, so we were very excited!" The members of TeSS across units who worked together to plan, prep and staff the event include James Lord, David Mayhew, Elia Nazarenko, Kevin O'Dea, Andy Osborne, Ryan Tombleson, Louis Velasquez, Jackie Yabeny-Bahe, Raquel Zevallos, and Chang. Additionally, Niko Sanchez from CATalyst Studios joined in making this happen.

"My former organization, Student Admin Systems Group (SASG), ran this event for 12 years, and when SASG was consolidated into University Information Technology Services, they were only lukewarm about continuing it," Chang said. "I thought this opportunity is in perfect alignment with the Libraries' role as a major partner in the Student Success District, even if the students end up attending different institutions. So, I asked former Vice Dean Sarah Shreeves if we could turn this into a Libraries' program, and it is now included in our strategic actions from last year."