From Navajo Nation’s Health Disparities to Solutions: A Journey of Empowerment and Change

PHOENIX — This week, over 11,000 students from Arizona State University (ASU) are set to graduate, each poised to make a unique impact on their communities and beyond. Among this diverse cohort is Alyson Shirley, a first-generation college graduate from the Navajo Nation, who has earned her Master of Science in global health.

Shirley’s journey to this milestone is deeply personal. Growing up on the Navajo Nation, she witnessed firsthand the health disparities that impacted her family and community. “I think it really came to me when I saw growing up on the Navajo Nation the health disparities that affected my own family members,” she explained. This experience has fueled her commitment to effect real change within tribal health initiatives.

In her pursuit of education, Shirley completed her bachelor’s degree at ASU before finishing her master’s program in just one year. “I really did it for them, my community of Tolani Lake,” she expressed, emphasizing her gratitude to her community and the generations that came before her.

With her degree in hand, Shirley aims to advocate for healthcare interventions that respect and incorporate tribal culture and language. “I would like to see more tailored interventions when it comes to involving their culture, language and better health solutions,” she stated, underscoring her vision for a culturally inclusive healthcare approach.

As she steps into the future, Shirley represents the aspirations and potential of many graduates ready to tackle pressing health issues on native lands.