Tony Viola IV

Tony Viola IV, originally from Coolidge, Arizona, is a member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe. In 2016, Tony graduated from Marana High School, where he was involved in a federally funded Upward Bound TRIO program that supports aspiring first-generation college students. Through the support of the Upward Bound staff, Tony was able to pursue higher education right after graduation and enrolled in the University of Arizona as a proud first generation college student, eager to start a new tradition for his family and community.

While attending the University, Tony has been involved in numerous educational spaces and programs and has taken on leadership roles both on campus and in the Tucson community. As a sophomore, Tony worked as a Cat Coach for the First Cats peer mentoring program, where he provided mentorship, guidance and resources to first-generation college students. In addition, Tony has continuously served tribal communities as an Engaging Native Boys intern, Indigenous Intellectual Warrior, and Native SOAR mentor focused on engaging and supporting Native American youth in environmental stewardship, tribal life ways and higher education. As a founding member of Voices of Indigenous Concerns in Education, Tony is part of a collective group on campus working to indigenize University spaces and policies to better support indigenous students, staff, faculty and communities.

During his junior year, Tony was an Access, Wellness, and Relational Determinants of School Success research fellow in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Consortium's PREP program under the mentorship of Corey J. Knox and Sara P. Chavarria. As a research fellow, he focused on the project he currently coordinates in the College of Education: Linking Southwest Heritage Through Archaeology. After four years of hard work and unwavering support from countless individuals, Tony is graduating in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in literacy, learning and leadership, with a minor in American Indian studies. Following graduation, he will continue his studies at the University of Arizona as a doctoral student in the Language, Reading and Culture Program in the College of Education.