Learn more about Olivia Iverson (Oglala Sioux Tribe) MEd '20, a Sapsik'ʷałá Teacher Education and UOTeach Elementary Education program alumna, through our Alumni Spotlight series
"The resilience and love my grandmother Lois (Oglala Lakota) embodied in my lifetime influences every decision I make in my career. She showed me that every child truly does matter and we as Indians have the right to an education.” –Olivia Iverson
Sapsik’ʷałá (MEd 20’ Elementary Education) alum Olivia Iverson (Oglala Sioux Tribe) credits her family for inspiring her decision to attend Sapsik’ʷałá and UO Teach in pursuit of a master’s degree and teaching license in elementary education and ESOL. Olivia shares stories about her grandmother Lois’ (Oglala Lakota) influence on her decisions to work in Indian Education and provide opportunities for Native students to attend higher education. Her grandmother Lois grew upon the Pine Ridge Indian reservation and attended Holy Rosary School (now RedCloud Indian School). Olivia shares her grandmother’s impact on her choice in career, “The resilience and love she embodied in my lifetime influences every decision I make in my career. She showed me that every child truly does matter and we as Indians have the right to an education.”
After graduating from UO Teach and Sapsik’ʷałá, Olivia was hired and taught as a Kindergarten teacher in the Klamath Falls City Schools and Eugene Schools before stepping into her current role as the Native American and Indigenous Recruitment Coordinator for the University of Oregon Office of Admissions. Olivia was a 2025 recipient of a Proudly Recognizing Indigenous Devotion to Education award (PRIDE) for her work in supporting Native and Indigenous students and families access higher education at the University of Oregon.
Olivia shares, “I chose Indian Education/Teaching/Admissions because of the influence from my grandmother, Lois. When I declared my education major in 2016, my grandma called me and told me I was going to be a wonderful teacher and was so proud of me. I received a letter from her in the mail shortly after her call, writing to tell me once again how proud she was of me. Very shortly after the letter, she passed away. I still have that letter and read it from time to time to remind myself why I do what I do.”
Olivia is also quick to mention that she hopes her students, their families, and co-workers will see her as “a caring person with a lot of passion for helping others succeed into their best selves!”. Olivia comes from a family who has served American Indian and Alaska Native initiatives in the state of Oregon. Her father Mitch Sparks (Oglala SiouxTribe) was the Executive Director of Oregon’s Legislative Commission on Indian Services (OLCIS). OLCIS is an Oregon legislative forum for consideration of Tribal-state government relations and consultation. Olivia’s service to Indian Education, teaching, and higher education comes from a family commitment to serve the better interest of Native people her in Oregon and beyond.
Olivia’s future work and career goals include continued support of Indigenous representation in higher education and eventually hopes to continue her own education in 2027 through the UO’s Critical and Sociocultural Studies (CSSE) PhD program. Until then, Olivia shares she is inspired by helping Native students and their families access the many great programs at the University of Oregon.
If you wish to contact and or refer a potential Native student considering admissions at University of Oregon, Olivia can be reached by email osparks@uoregon.edu or by phone at 541-346-1219.