Cruise Lemke is the Retention Coordinator at the San Carlos Apache College. His duties include contacting students and helping them become familiar with the resources we offer to ensure their success, as well as performing outreach to the local community to discuss what the college has to offer. He is always happy to help the students set goals, make a realistic plan to achieve their aspirations, and encourage them to strive for academic excellence.
Cruise grew up as a local Tribal member of San Carlos, spending a lot of time with his family in Bylas. He graduated from Globe High School with Honors and became the recipient of the Geronimo Scholarship from the SCAT Higher Education Department between 2015-2020. This allowed him to attend Grand Canyon University and pursue his passion for the arts while also cultivating his leadership skills. He graduated from GCU with two Bachelor’s degrees; a Bachelor’s of Art in Graphic Designer with an Emphasis in Animation as well as a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management. During his time at GCU he was an active member of the Student Government, participating in a number of tutoring events, academic outreach projects, and cultural heritage events.
His experience balancing the challenges of college life while simultaneously being involved in extracurricular activities gives him a unique skillset for advising students on how they can approach their academic career. He has a deep pride in his cultural heritage and is eager to participate in its preservation while also encouraging the community to evolve through educational development.