Native American House Ambassador Program

Justin Bean (Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma)

Major: Mechanical Engineering, Grainger College of Engineering

My name is Justin Bean, and I am of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. I grew up in Arrowsmith, a rural community in central Illinois. I began my higher education journey at Heartland Community College, where I earned an Associate in Arts degree. In the fall of 2023, I transferred to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where I am pursuing a major in Mechanical Engineering.

I serve as a Native American House (NAH) Undergraduate Ambassador, supporting the daily operations of the NAH and helping promote Native student life at Illinois. Regarding leadership roles, I previously held a two-year appointment as a student representative on the Native American House Advisory Circle.

In 2024, I was honored with the Indigenous Student Leader Award during the University of Illinois’ Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration. Alongside two former NAH Ambassadors, I served as a co–principal investigator for the Democracy is Indigenous grant awarded by the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute. This grant supported a get-out-the-vote initiative and a program designed to help college students develop self-care strategies for managing stress and anxiety related to election outcomes.

Beyond my academic and leadership roles, I remain deeply connected to my Native heritage and strive to integrate Indigenous perspectives into both my professional aspirations and community engagement.

Mia Davlantis (Menominee)

Major: Aerospace Engineering, Grainger College of Engineering

My name is Mia Davlantis, and I am a sophomore majoring in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I am maternally Menominee and was raised in Springfield, Illinois. I chose to attend Illinois because of the positive interactions I had with faculty during campus visits and the university’s strong reputation as a leading research institution.

As a freshman, I was a member of the Pumps subteam within the Liquid Rocketry at Illinois registered student organization. I am currently taking a short break from the team to focus on my role as a Student Ambassador for the Native American House, but I plan to rejoin in the spring semester.

After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue a master’s in Nuclear Engineering. My ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of nuclear fusion engines for spacecraft. I am deeply passionate about aerospace and nuclear engineering because I believe that the complexity and innovation within these fields hold the potential to create transformative technologies that benefit humanity as a whole.

Ingrid Gonzalez (Yaqui)

Major: History, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Lios em chaniavu, ketche’m allea? Inepo Ingrid-Amalfi Guandique Gonzalez teak. Inepo emo majtame a Yoomajtikari Illinoispo Urbanapo-Champaignpoem Majtikari Bato’ora jiawaita etejome jakko weeriata bichame. Inepo Noktotohame Vato Itom Aniam Atte’ak. Inepo Mexicopo, El Salvadorpo, Jiak Vatwe Hoak.

My name is Ingrid-Amalfi Guandique Gonzalez, and I am a Native American House Ambassador and transfer student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, majoring in History within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. I come from a rich multicultural background with roots in Mexico, El Salvador, and the Rio Yaqui, and I take great pride in the diverse cultures that shape my identity.

I chose to attend the University of Illinois during my second semester at the College of Southern Nevada, when I began exploring four-year institutions to complete my bachelor’s degree. Illinois immediately stood out to me, not only for its academic excellence and reputation as a leading public university, but also for the vibrant community and opportunities for cultural engagement that it offers.