Contact NAISSC Staff

Native American Indigenous Student Success Center (NAISSC)

Email: naissc@sjsu.edu
Phone: 408-924-7304
NAISSC Location: 
Former Spartan Memorial Chapel (SPM) (near Yoshida Hall)

Mailing Address:
Native American Indigenous Student Success Center
San José State University
One Washington Square
San Jose, CA  95192-0196

Meet Our Team

NAISSC Program Director

Elisa Aquino
Program Director
Pronouns: she/her
elisa.aquino@sjsu.edu 

Elisa Aquino is the inaugural Program Director for the Native American Indigenous Student Success Center at San Jose State University. She is proudly Bini' Zaa (Zapotec) from the Valles Centrales in Oaxaca, Mexico. Elisa is a first-generation college student who completed her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and received her masters degree in Higher Education & Student Affairs at the University of San Francisco. In her free time, Elisa enjoys hiking, biking, and exploring new food spots around the Bay area. 

"It is with great honor and responsibility to my Indigenous community to provide culturally-sustaining support services rooted in ancestral knowledge. X'tiosu/ Thank you, I look forward to connecting with you".

NAISSC Program Coordinator, headshot of Kateri Azure smiling at camera.

Kateri Azure
Program Coordinator
Pronouns: she/her
kateri.azure@sjsu.edu

Kateri Azure is the Program Coordinator for the Native American Indigenous Student Success Center at San José State University. She is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota, and also descends from the Navajo (Diné) Nation, the Fort Belknap Assiniboine (Nakoda), and the Fort Peck Sioux Tribes. Kateri earned her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from Seattle University. In her free time, Kateri enjoys being with her family and her two dogs (Bumper and Blanket), as well as reading, painting, creating regalia and beadwork, and staying active.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role and to walk alongside my community in fostering success, connection, and cultural pride. Miigwech/ pinamiya/ ahéhee/ thank you!”

2025-26 NAISSC Student Staff

Indigenous Student Success Advocates: 

  • Emily Hyatt
  • Dallas Quinonez
  • Serena Rubio
  • Maliya Tinajero

Indigenous Scholars Sustaining Knowledge (SKO) Mentorship Program Peer Mentors:

  • Kay Aparicio Hernandez
  • Madison Buschman
  • Giovanni Nitis