Jean Mako Forlee joined the NARI team in January of 2024 and is honored to be a part of the Native Nest supporting our Native and Indigenous students at UC Davis. She is a second-generation, LA-born and raised, Japanese-American. She graduated UC San Diego with a degree in Sociology, and studies in Theatre and Dance. Between then and her current role, Jean explored many of her interests including administration, vocational training, early childhood education, bodywork, and meditative movement.

Jean brings with her a holistically-informed approach to student success. Through utilizing her strengths in organization and passion for efficiency, she is dedicated to supporting the mission of the Native American Academic Student Success Center and the Native American Retention Initiative.