The Office of Indigenous Relations and the Office of Undergraduate Fellowships are pleased to announce that Sydney K. Williams, a junior majoring in political science with a minor in Indigenous studies and a member of the Walker River Paiute Tribe, has been named the 推荐杏吧原创’s institutional nominee for the prestigious Udall Scholarship in Tribal Public Policy.
From a young age, Williams has been deeply engaged in public service and advocacy for Tribal communities. She began advocating for Tribal citizens at just 14 years old and has since built a record of leadership and policy engagement that reflects the core values of the Udall Scholarship. In 2021, 2023 and 2025, Williams testified before the Nevada Legislature on issues including cultural heritage, public safety and voting rights, and has contributed to the development of communication materials for elected officials, work that demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of policymaking and its real-world impacts. According to Daphne Emm-Hooper, director, Office of Indigenous Relations, “Sydney has shown her ability to lead and engage through her significant contributions to and for the Tribal communities.”
What distinguishes Williams’ leadership is her ability to clearly articulate Tribal sovereignty and explain how environmental, social and economic policies affect Tribal lands and communities.
What distinguishes Williams’ leadership is her ability to clearly articulate Tribal sovereignty and explain how environmental, social and economic policies affect Tribal lands and communities; impacts that are often overlooked in mainstream policy conversations. Her work bridges advocacy and education, ensuring that Tribal perspectives are not only present but understood.
“She is a true role model and an incredible individual committed to the well-being of Nevada’s Native communities,” Emm-Hooper said.
Williams also serves as chair of the Walker River Paiute Economic Development Authority’s (WRPEDA) Emerging Business Leaders Advisory Board and has taken on leadership roles with Nevada’s Young Democrats and Nevada Department of Native American Affairs’ Civic Engagement Task Force focused on voting access and equity. During the 2024 presidential election, she played a key role in establishing a polling station on land that was once the site of a federal Indian Boarding School, an effort that helped ensure access to voting for many first-time Native American voters.
Reflecting on the Udall application process, Williams described it as a meaningful opportunity for self-reflection and clarity.
“Applying for the Udall gave me the opportunity to really reflect on who I am and what I want to accomplish,” Williams said. “It helped me clarify my goals and think more deeply about the role I want to play in serving my people.”
She encourages other students considering the Udall Scholarship, particularly in Tribal Public Policy, to pursue the opportunity.
“You’re the only one who can tell your story, and applying in and of itself is a victory for both you and your community.”
“If you’re interested at all, I would encourage you to go for it,” Williams said. “You’re the only one who can tell your story, and applying in and of itself is a victory for both you and your community.”
When asked about the potential impact of receiving the Udall Scholarship, Williams emphasized its broader significance.
“I think less about what the award would mean for me and more about what it would symbolize for Nevada’s Native communities,” she said. “It would bring greater visibility to the work Native students are already doing and hopefully inspire more of us to pursue higher education and public service.”
The Udall Scholarship is a program of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation, established by the U.S. Congress to honor the legacy of Morris K. Udall for his leadership on environmental issues, public lands and natural resources, as well as his support for the rights and self-governance of American Indians and Alaska Natives. In 2009, the foundation’s name was amended to also recognize Stewart Udall, who served as U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 1961 to 1969.
The scholarship is open to full-time sophomores and juniors at accredited colleges and universities across the United States. Students may apply in one of three categories: tribal public policy, Native health care or the environment. Applicants in the tribal public policy and Native health care categories must be Native American or Alaska Native.
Each institution may nominate only a limited number of students. At Nevada, the nomination process is managed by the Office of Undergraduate Fellowships (OUF), which convenes a faculty committee to review applications and collaborates with campus partners, including the Office of Indigenous Relations, to identify and support prospective nominees.
“The Udall Scholarship provides Native Students, focusing on Tribal public policy, with an incredible opportunity to continue on their path toward becoming future leaders in Indian Country,” Emm-Hooper said.
Nevada’s only Udall Scholar was Steven DelaCruz, who received the award in the environmental science category in 2013, more than a decade ago. This year, Nevada has selected two institutional nominees: Sydney K. Williams, competing in Tribal Public Policy, and Claira Johnson, who is competing in the environmental science category. Williams is the first institutional nomination in Tribal Public Policy for Nevada. Johnson is also a Goldwater Scholarship nominee.
Nevada students interested in applying for the Udall Scholarship in a future cycle are encouraged to connect with the Office of Undergraduate Fellowships to learn more about advising and nomination opportunities.
