Kamella Cruz, BFA (Ohkay Owingeh), engages in community outreach, research, data analysis, and policy to further UNM NABPI’s mission of systemic change anchored in tribally determined priorities and needs. As the institute’s grants and philanthropy specialist, Cruz seeks funding to support health, education, economic, and art initiatives. She is currently a graduate student at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) obtaining a master of fine arts degree in poetry. She holds three national creative writing awards for 2022 and is a nominee for the 2022 Pushcart Prize in poetry. As a professional poet, Cruz advocates for language revitalization and early childhood education.