The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (the National Center) received the Nonprofit Partner Service Award from the American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) on Saturday, October 6 during AISES’s national conference in Oklahoma City. The award is a symbol of AISES’s appreciation for the National Centers’ hard work and contributions to the mission of AISES. Derrick Watchman, Chairman of the National Center’s Board of Directors, accepted the award on behalf of the National Center.

“The National Center is proud to partner with AISES and supports its commitment to increase our communities’ representation in science and engineering fields,” said Chris James, President and CEO of the National Center. “This award is testament to our belief that we can achieve more by working together. We thank AISES for this prestigious recognition.”

The AISES Partner Service Award winners are selected by the AISES staff to honor those who have gone above and beyond to support the AISES’ staff and the organization. One award winner is selected in each of the following categories: Corporate Partner Service Award, Government Partner Service Award, Nonprofit Partner Service Award, Tribal Partner Service Award, Educator Partner Service Award, and Foundation Partner Service Award. The organization also honors invaluable partners outside of these categories with Special Service Awards.

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society is a national, nonprofit organization focused on substantially increasing the representation of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, First Nations and other indigenous peoples of North America in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) studies and careers.