Four Native American students from California have received $10,000 scholarships from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians through the tribe’s 21st annual Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Memorial Scholarship Program.
Since its launch, Morongo’s Mathews Scholarship Program has provided $710,000 in scholarships to 71 Native American students attending universities across the country. Open to enrolled members of federally recognized tribes in California, the scholarships aim to reverse the long-standing underrepresentation of Native students in higher education, where American Indian and Alaskan Native students still make up less than 1% of U.S. undergraduates.
“The Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Memorial Scholarship reflects Morongo’s commitment to supporting Native students seeking to secure a higher education,” Morongo Tribal Chairman Charles Martin said in a statement. “Each recipient represents the strength and promise of our tribal communities. By investing in their education, we’re addressing generations of inequity and honoring our shared responsibility to uplift the next generation.”
The 2026 Mathews Scholarship Program recipients are:
- Mary Pojas, an enrolled member of the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians. Pojas lives on the La Jolla Indian Reservation in Pauma Valley, California, and is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in American Indian Studies at San Diego State University. Her future goals include working in tribal law and serving on her tribal council. She serves as a Program Aid for Inter-Tribal Sports, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving Native youth across Southern California.
“The Mathews scholarship means so much to me. Not only does it help me financially, but it keeps me passionate about my goals in life,” said Pojas. “Many tribes like Morongo have consistently shown their commitment to supporting Native students, and that reminds me of how strongly connected our tribal communities are and how much we support one another.”
- Nusun Pojas, also a member of the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians, lives in Valley Center and will attend San Diego State University this fall to major in American Indian Studies with a focus on business and marketing. She plans to return to her community to help develop accessible health services for the tribe. Nusun has been actively involved in intertribal sports, first as a participant and now as an aide, and serves on the youth council.
“This scholarship from Morongo has not only helped me financially, but it has given me the motivation to succeed,” said Nunsun Pojas. “It has allowed me to focus on my studies instead of the financial burden, while helping me reach my goal of building a career within tribal communities.”
- Kristian Zavala, an enrolled member of the Manchester Band of Pomo Indians, is attending Sacramento State University. She works at the California Rural Indian Health Board and plans to continue her career in service to Native communities after graduation, with the goal of returning closer to home to work for a Native American organization. She remains connected to her tribe, attending tribal meetings and community gatherings throughout the year.
“This scholarship means I don’t have to worry about school costs and can truly focus on my education,” Zavala said. “It has not only helped me financially, but it has given me the motivation to keep going.”
- Breana Schoeborn, an enrolled member of the Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians, is pursuing a degree in business administration at Southern New Hampshire University.
The Morongo scholarship program honors the late Rodney T. Mathews Jr., a Morongo tribal member who died in 2004. He worked as an attorney for 20 years in Banning, California, and served as a judge pro tem for more than a decade.
“Rodney dedicated his life to justice and learning,” said Eunice Matthews, his mother. “We are very proud of all that he achieved, and it means so much to see his legacy live on by helping Native students pursue their own dreams.”
Scholarship applicants are considered based on their academic success and community service. Candidates must be full-time students at an accredited college or university; complete 60 hours with a designated California Indian agency; and be actively involved in the Native American community.
For information about applying for a future Rodney T. Mathews Jr. Memorial Scholarship, visit https://morongonation.org/california-native-scholarship/
