A concentrated awareness of Native American culture will take place Thursday when Iowa State will host Teresa LaFromboise to speak on Native American competence in two cultures.

LaFromboise is an associate professor of Counseling Psychology at the School of Education at Stanford University. Her lecture is the third in a four-part series of lectures on topics of importance to American Indian Studies sponsored by the American Indian Studies Program at ISU.

Smokey McKinney, temporary instructor of American Indian studies, is excited about the opportunities and recognition LaFromboise’s visit will bring to the American Indian studies program.

McKinney said the American Indian studies program is currently looking to fill the newly created position of director of the program, which is why they are sponsoring a series of lectures.

“We need somebody like this on campus. We don’t have a strong enough presence on campus and this will bring consistency,” McKinney said. “Having the series of lectures will help find ideas and generate names for this position.”

McKinney said the ultimate goal is to find a director, and to build up the program itself.

“Many people don’t realize that this program exists at ISU,” he said. “We are getting the word out that the program exists by bringing in the speakers.” McKinney had LaFromboise speak before and was very impressed with her.

McKinney said each speaker presents a lecture on his/her particular academic area.

“Teresa is presenting a topic that we have to continually deal with. We are part of two cultures, not one. Many people are constantly switching back between cultures. We need to be balancing the two.”

LaFromboise will speak at 8 p.m. on Thursday at Microbiology 1414.