Alumni Reflections: Kristen Talbert
Alumna Kristen Talbert (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate) was named to the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s 2023 40 Under 40 list in March. She is currently the program manager of the Indigenous Leadership Academy at Arizona State University’s American Indian Policy Institute, and she holds an MBA with concentrations in entrepreneurship and leadership from Arizona State University and an MA in K-12 education from the University of St. Thomas. Talbert shares what led her to the University’s American Indian studies program, her advice, and her favorite memory from her time as a student.
What did you study in CLA? What inspired you to pursue that path?
I was an American Indian studies major in the Dakota Language Program. I was inspired to pursue that path because I was a single parent and wanted my child to learn the Dakota language. I figured that if I wanted them to learn it, I should also learn it too.
I attended a local community Dakota language class and asked the instructor where she learned to speak Dakota. She said she learned Dakota at the University of Minnesota and encouraged me to apply there. During the application process, I learned that my great-grandfather was the first Dakota language instructor at the University in the late 1960s. After learning that, I felt that the U was where I was meant to be.
What advice would you give to prospective students?
You don’t have to have it all figured out from the beginning. I changed majors and changed advisors, but I always stuck with school. I was a single parent who had worked and lived life before deciding that I needed an education in order to further my career.
Take advantage of all of the services the University offers and don’t be afraid to ask for help. I asked my fellow students about programs and campus organizations, and that’s where I learned about so many great places like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program, the Student Parent Help Center, and the American Indian Student Cultural Center (AISCC). There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to college.
What advice would you give to current students of color?
My advice to current students of color is to not shy away from the truth. As a Dakota person, I know the history that the University is on Dakota homelands and how the University benefited from that. Sometimes the truth is painful, and it can be difficult to look at. For any student, there will be things that are difficult to process and may hurt a lot to learn about. Please don’t let those truths stop you from wanting to learn and finish your education.
What is your favorite memory from the U?
Frybread Friday at the AISCC! When I was a student, I was the secretary of the AISCC and would attend every Frybread Friday. It was such a great event to be social at. We would always have people from the other cultural centers stop by to eat frybread and make Indian tacos, and if the other cultural centers were hosting an event, we would attend their event too! I met a lot of really great people by just attending Frybread Fridays. According to AISCC’s Instagram, Frybread Fridays are still happening. Give them a follow on Instagram.
