Kailee Pearson grew up knowing about her tribe, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, but it wasn’t until college that she started connecting more with her cultural identity by exploring natural resources and wildlife biology as a career path.

Originally from Chicago, Pearson started looking into public universities in Michigan that would honor the state’s tuition waiver based on her tribal membership. Her older brother, Mitchel Pearson, also attends Michigan State University.

“I never ever thought I’d go to the same school as him, but when I visited campus it felt like home to me,” she said. “Then, when we found out I could get a tribal grant, it made sense.”

To read more about Pearson's internship experience, visit the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources website.