Kayla Dumore (She/They) is earning a Baccalaureate of Science degree in Sociology and Anthropology with a minor in Native American Studies. Kayla plans to graduate magna cum laude Spring of 2024. She is multiracial and an enrolled member of the Klamath Tribes, with Klamath, Modoc, English, French, and Scottish ancestry.
Kayla is interested in Sociological research regarding Native American communities, particularly surrounding issues involving institutionalized racism, tribal sovereignty, and cross-culture interactions. She is passionate about conducting both qualitative and quantitative field research. During the summer of 2022 she served as a research assistant in a research project that focused on environmental sovereignty. During the project, Kayla worked closely under Turtle May, a Masters student at the University of Washington, to document the post-fire health of a treated forest on the Colville Reservation using quantitative measurements of the forest's tree population. She also has experience with creating and proposing qualitative research while working on her undergraduate degree. Under the supervision of Dr. Allison Burke, Kayla worked with a small group of colleagues to create and execute a research project aimed at discovering how being a student at Southern Oregon University (SOU) affects one's sleep. The semi-formal interview questions, once given to and approved by the IRB, resulted in data that was coded and formally presented to the rest of their colleagues. Kayla plans to continue practicing research throughout the rest of her undergraduate degree, and beyond. She is interested in researching the following topics: Cultural Biases within the United States, Cross Cultural Interactions, Mental Health in Historically Marginalized Communities, Knowledge Sovereignty, and Accessible Education for Historically Marginalized Communities.
In their time at SOU, Kayla has kept her community at the forefront of their academic journey. Completing over 100 hours of community service, Kayla is passionate about serving her community. She has taken up a number of leadership roles, including Co-Chair for the Native American Student Union (NASU) and a scholar with the SOU Honors College. She has also led NASU in putting on the largest event on campus, the Annual Spring Powwow, and has spent a number of hours working with Vesper Meadow to facilitate a healthy habitat for the Vesper Sparrow. Kayla is also a proud recipient of the Oregon Tribal Student Grant, which has provided her the financial aid needed to finish her undergraduate degree.
Once she has completed her undergraduate studies, Kayla is excited to further explore her passion for research and attend a graduate program that will facilitate her growth and understanding in qualitative, quantitative, and field research methodologies. After she earns her Ph.D, she plans to use her post-baccalaureate education to serve her community. She will achieve this goal by working closely with Native American Tribes of the United States, Canada, and Mexico and collaboratively conducting research that they can then use to advocate for their inherent sovereignty. Kayla is incredibly grateful for all of the support she has received thus far, and is excited for what her future holds.
McNair Faculty Mentor: Dr. Chance White Eyes, Assistant Professor of Native American Studies.
