Supporting Native and Indigenous students at UW-Milwaukee for more than 50 years.
The American Indian Student Center (AISC) is a dedicated space where Native and Indigenous students can build community, access support, explore opportunities, and strengthen their connection to culture throughout their time at UWM.
Located on the first floor of Merrill Hall in Rooms 147 and 148, the center serves as both a student resource hub and a gathering place. Centering Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and belonging, the AISC provides a welcoming environment for learning, relationship-building, and personal growth. Students are welcome to stop in between classes, study, meet with staff, connect with friends, enjoy coffee or a snack, attend programs, or simply spend time in a space designed to support student success and well-being.
Rooted in more than five decades of Native student leadership and advocacy, the American Indian Student Center continues to foster belonging while connecting students with academic, cultural, professional, and community-based opportunities. The center is dedicated to Native and Indigenous student success while welcoming all students, faculty, staff, and community members who wish to respectfully learn, engage, and build relationships grounded in Indigenous values and perspectives.
What You’ll Find at the Center
- A welcoming place to study, relax, and build community through access to a lounge space, computer workstation, printing services, microwave, coffee, snacks, and opportunities to connect with fellow students.
- Individualized support for academic success and personal growth, including success coaching, mentoring, goal setting, campus navigation, and assistance connecting with university and community resources.
- Guidance for prospective, incoming, transfer, and continuing students as they navigate the college experience and explore opportunities for involvement, leadership, and professional development.
- Connections to culture, community, and Tribal Nations through educational programming, cultural events, community gatherings, and partnerships with Indigenous organizations and communities.
- A dedicated Native and Indigenous student space that works closely with the Electa Quinney Institute while maintaining a long-standing commitment to Native student success, belonging, and engagement at UWM.
Visit the Center
Offices: Merrill Hall Room 147
Student Lounge: Merrill Hall Room 148
Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Students interested in lounge access may request lockbox access by contacting Breann Clark in Room 147B or by email at clark449@uwm.edu.
- aisc-uwm@uwm.edu
- 414-229-5880
- Merrill Hall, 147
A Legacy of Native Student Leadership
The American Indian Student Center traces its roots to Native student activism and organizing at UW-Milwaukee.
In 1969, Milwaukee was home to approximately one-third of Wisconsin’s Native population, yet only ten Native students were enrolled at UW-Milwaukee.
In response, student leaders John Gauthier (Menominee) and James LaGoo (Bad River Ojibwe) founded the American Indian Student Union, which later became the Native American Student Movement (NASM).
Their efforts focused on increasing educational opportunity, supporting Native student success, and preserving Indigenous cultures and communities.
In 1970, NASM secured a dedicated space on campus under the leadership of Waldo “Buck” Martin (Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican), who became the first coordinator of UWM’s Native American Studies Program.
Through student advocacy, fundraising, and engagement with state and federal partners, Native students helped establish lasting support systems for Indigenous students at UWM.
By 1972:
- Native student enrollment had grown from 10 to 60 students.
- More than 100 students were enrolled in Native American Studies courses.
The American Indian Student Center continues this tradition of advocacy, leadership, community, and student success.
Community Connections
AISC is connected and active in the Native community in a number of ways. We volunteer and work with educational organizations and the higher educational offices of the sovereign Tribal Nations of Wisconsin. Visit the links below for more information.
Community, Culture, and Connection
The American Indian Student Center is more than a resource office. It is a place where students build relationships, celebrate culture, and participate in student and community centered events like:
- Fire Circle Soups
- Community Feast
- AlterNative Giving
- Indigenous Felt Knowledge Festival
