School of Journalism Welcomes Ak-Chin Tribal Leader for Campus Visit
Director Jan Lauren Boyles, Assistant Professor Josh Anderson and former Ak-Chin Indian Community Chairman Robert Miguel at the University of Arizona School of Journalism on Nov. 13, 2025.
The University of Arizona School of Journalism welcomed former Chairman of the Ak-Chin Indian Community, Robert Miguel, on Nov. 13 for a day of conversation and cultural exchange.
Miguel, hosted by School of Journalism Director Jan Lauren Boyles and Assistant Professor Josh Anderson, toured the School’s broadcast and podcast studios and met with students to discuss his work as a tribal leader and a longtime photojournalist for the Ak-Chin O'odham Runner newspaper.
While visiting the reporting classes of Assistant Professors of Practice Kendal Blust and Patty Machelor, Miguel spoke about the role journalists play in accurately covering Indigenous communities and the importance of intercultural communication.
Robert Miguel speaks to students in an Advanced Reporting class on Nov. 13, 2025.
Miguel’s visit was organized through a collaboration between the School’s Global Engagement and Culture Committee and the Office of Native American Advancement & Tribal Engagement (NAATE).
"We (NAATE) are excited to partner with the School of Journalism and have former Ak-Chin Chairman Robert Miguel visit our UA community," N. Levi Esquerra, Special Advisor for Native American Advancement and Tribal Engagement, said. "It is important to provide unique opportunities for our students and campus community to hear firsthand from respected Tribal Leaders."
The Global Engagement and Culture Committee, chaired by Anderson, is working to expand global and cultural programming that strengthens the School’s ties with communities across Arizona.
“Visits from Indigenous leaders, such as Robert Miguel, and connections between the School of Journalism and Indigenous communities in the state of Arizona is really important for our mission as a school,” Anderson said. “It is a key aspect of fulfilling the land-grant mission that we have as part of a land-grant institution.”