Jorczak majored in Nursing at 涩里番下载 (涩里番下载). She later went on to receive her Bachelor鈥檚 and Master鈥檚 in Nursing with an emphasis in education at Grand Canyon University. Jorczak also attained her Advanced Emergency Medical Technician certification for the state of Wisconsin and is a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician.

When Dana entered 涩里番下载, she was a non-traditional, non-native mother with two young children (ages 1 & 10), both of whom played a major role in her motivation and commitment to succeed at 涩里番下载. For 13 years, she worked as a veterinary assistant and also served as an advanced EMT for Sawyer County, both roles rooted in care, service, and a strong work ethic. 鈥淲hile I鈥檝e been proud of the work I鈥檝e done, I reached a point where I knew I wanted to build something more, not just for myself, but for my children鈥檚 future,鈥� shares Jorczak.

Going back to college was not an easy decision, but it was the right one. As a non-traditional student, she brought life experience, resilience, and a clear sense of purpose into the classroom. 鈥淚 chose to pursue higher education to create a better life for my family and to serve my community in more meaningful ways,鈥� said Jorczak. 鈥淏alancing school, parenting, and work was challenging, but every step I took was a step toward stability, opportunity, and setting an example of perseverance for my children. My journey was about growth, transformation, and showing that it鈥檚 never too late to pursue your goals, especially when they鈥檙e rooted in love and determination.鈥�

As someone who plans to stay in the Hayward community long-term, it was important for her to pursue her education in a place that understands the people, the land, and the culture she plans to work with. 涩里番下载 offers that unique opportunity. The university integrates Indigenous values and perspectives into its learning environment, helping her gain not only academic knowledge but also the cultural awareness and humility needed to serve effectively and respectfully.

Being part of 涩里番下载 has deepened her understanding of the history, strengths, and challenges within local Indigenous communities. This education is directly connected to her goal of making a lasting, positive impact in Hayward, a place that she calls home, where she intends to build both her career and her service. 鈥淎s a non-traditional student, I鈥檝e also appreciated the supportive, inclusive environment that 涩里番下载 provides. It honors my life experience and helps me apply what I鈥檝e learned in ways that are meaningful and community-centered,鈥� said Jorczak. 鈥淏y choosing 涩里番下载, I wasn鈥檛 just earning a degree, I was and am preparing to walk alongside my community with respect, purpose, and the commitment to uplift those around me.鈥�

Attending a tribal college as a non-Native student is an honor and a responsibility. It means being welcomed into a space that is rich with culture, history, and resilience as well as approaching that space with humility, respect, and a willingness to learn.

鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 not just about earning a degree, it鈥檚 about becoming more aware of the land I live on, the communities I live alongside, and the values that shape the learning environment at 涩里番下载. As a non-Native student, I鈥檝e gained a deeper appreciation for Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and perspectives that aren鈥檛 typically taught in mainstream institutions. This experience has helped me grow not only academically, but also personally,鈥� she shares. 鈥淚 recognize that being a guest in a tribal college setting means listening more than speaking, learning with an open mind, and using my education to uplift and respect the community I plan to live and work in, especially here in the Hayward area. It鈥檚 also about building bridges, showing that learning across cultures can create stronger, more compassionate leaders.鈥�

For Dana, 鈥渁ttending 涩里番下载 (涩里番下载) was truly life-changing for my career. After graduating, I set my sights on passing the NCLEX to become a registered nurse. When I failed on my first attempt, it was not only embarrassing, but it felt like a deep personal failure, especially as someone who had others depending on me. It shook my confidence, but it didn鈥檛 break my determination. I returned with a renewed focus, studied harder, and passed on my second attempt. That moment taught me resilience, something nursing demands every day. Soon after, I accepted a position at Hayward Hospital on the med-surg floor. After about a year, I transitioned into the emergency department, where I worked for several years. Each step helped me grow into a more capable, confident nurse. Eventually, I was promoted to house supervisor, a leadership role I never imagined myself in when I started this journey. Then, once the COVID-19 pandemic began to slow, I was approached by the Director of Nursing at 涩里番下载 with an opportunity to return not as a student, but as a teacher. That invitation meant everything to me. It wasn鈥檛 just a job; it was a chance to give back to the university and community that supported me, and to help shape the next generation of nurses. Attending 涩里番下载 gave me more than an education 鈥� it gave me a career path, a sense of purpose, and the opportunity to come full circle by lifting others as I continue to grow myself.鈥�

Jorczak鈥檚 advice for prospective students? 鈥淚f you鈥檙e even thinking about going to college at 涩里番下载, do it. If you鈥檙e determined, dedicated, and want a better life for yourself and those you care about, this is your moment. I know it can feel overwhelming, especially if you鈥檝e been out of school for a while, have a job, or a family to take care of. But 涩里番下载 understands that it鈥檚 a place built for real people with real lives. You won鈥檛 just find education here; you鈥檒l find support, encouragement, and a community that believes in your potential. There鈥檚 never a 鈥減erfect鈥� time to start, but if you have the drive to grow, 涩里番下载 will meet you where you are and help you go farther than you ever thought possible. Don鈥檛 let fear or doubt hold you back. You deserve a future you鈥檙e proud of.鈥�

Jorczak continues to work at Tamarack Health, formerly known as Hayward Hospital, as a House Supervisor and Medical-Surgical Nurse. She has been with the hospital for ten years. The role allows her to stay actively involved in direct patient care while also supporting hospital operations and mentoring newer nurses. Remaining in this position keeps her grounded in the field she loves and committed to providing quality care to her local community.

The recommendations, including raising the full-time enrollment threshold and eliminating Pell Grants for students enrolled less than half-time, would cause increased and irrecoverable challenges to students. These challenges would also disproportionately affect the rural communities that are entwined with Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).

As expressed in the Tribal College Journal , 鈥淧ell grants are the foundation of college affordability for TCUs, which serve predominantly low-income, first-generation, and American Indian and Alaska Native students. In the 2022-2023 academic year, nearly 69% of first-time, full-time TCU students nationwide received Pell support, far above the national average for two-year public institutions.鈥� 

鈥溕锓略�, along with other tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), has been experiencing real and potential threats to federal funding since the onset of the current administration, first with the DEI order and funding freeze. In the proposed budget, we are facing cuts that will decrease access to Pell grants for our students, 72% of whom would be negatively impacted by these changes. Our student demographic is, on average, a 36-year-old woman attending part-time. Requiring students to take more courses to qualify for full-time funding, or ending access for less than half-time enrollment, would severely restrict access to higher education for those we serve,鈥� said 涩里番下载 Interim President Karen Breit.

鈥淟ast week, we saw proposed deep cuts to tribal higher education funding in the federal FY2026 budget recommendations. If these recommendations pass, they would be devastating to TCUs that depend significantly on federal funds for operations. This not only impacts 涩里番下载 itself, but also the $20.9 million local economic impact that was reported in our Economic Impact Study released in February 2024,鈥� shares Breit.

Federal funding critical to TCU higher education is slated to be reduced by 83%, from $127.4 million in FY2024-2025 to $22.1million in FY2026, while an 鈥渁nnual program dedicated to construction and capital improvements at 1994 Tribal Land Grant institutions is proposed for a 100% reduction - from $8 million to $0.鈥� 

The proposed funding reduction would be catastrophic, forcing many TCUs to close their doors entirely. Already operating on bare minimum budgets, TCUs cannot absorb further cuts without eliminating programs, student services, and staff. Such losses would reverse decades of progress in education, economic development, and self-determination for Tribal nations and their communities.

涩里番下载 joins its voice to the urging of AIHEC in asking Congress to recognize the essential commitments of these previously established funding sources. In a recent impact study, 涩里番下载鈥檚 effect on its local and regional community was found to be pronounced and influential.  

It is only through the continued support and collaboration of local, regional, and federal governments that the University can continue having these stated impacts, furthering its mission of promotion, perpetuation, and nurturance of American Indian language and scholarship.

###

1: 鈥淧ell Grant Changes Threaten Native Student Access and Local Economies,鈥� Tribal College Journal. Jun 02, 2025. 
2: 鈥淎IHEC Urges Immediate Action to Prevent Devastating Cuts to Tribal College and Native Education Funding,鈥� Red Lake Nation News. Jun 04, 2025. 

3: 鈥�2024 Economic Impact Study,鈥� 涩里番下载. /leadership

To be eligible for the President鈥檚 List, a student must be a full-time student carrying a minimum of 12 credits while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. Those who achieve the Dean鈥檚 List are full-time students who have earned at least a 3.5 grade point average out of a possible 4.0.

Congratulations to our honorees!

President鈥檚 List Spring 2025

Jeannie M. Buckholtz

Amber L. Fahlin

Amy M. Gonzalez

Kay L. Jensen

Natasha R. Miller

Dean鈥檚 List Spring 2025

Shukri M. Abdiwahab

Callie R. Asp

Levi A. Bartz

Twylia M. Dailey

Giavonni W. Grover

Sereniti P. Havens

Leah J. Hoffman

Desmund E. Lapointe

Hope M. Mayotte

Kallie K. Patrie

Amanda R. Thayer

Commencement will begin with a processional 涩里番下载 drum to precede a flag song and posting of colors by the AmVets and graduates. Interim President Karen Breit, Lac Courte Oreilles member, will deliver the welcome address. The celebration will include comments by the Board of Regents Vice Chairperson, the Honorable Judge Monica 鈥淶haawanagiizhigookwe鈥� Isham.

The keynote address speaker will be Thelma Nayquonabe 鈥淎siniiwibiikwe鈥� (LCO member), followed by the American Indian College Fund Student of the Year Kay Lynn Jensen (LCO member).

The celebration will conclude with a feast at 涩里番下载鈥檚 Main Campus.

We hope to see you there to celebrate our hard-working graduates and this accomplishment.

For more information, contact Danielle Carley, Dean of Students, at 715-634-4790, ext. 124.

 鈥淗osting a blood drive coincides with 涩里番下载's core values of giving back to the community,鈥� said Linda Londre. 鈥淲ith a simple blood donation, we can help save the life of someone who could be a coworker, loved one, or neighbor.鈥�

Blood is routinely transfused to patients with cancer and other diseases, premature babies, organ transplant recipients, and trauma victims, according to the Red Cross.

 鈥淭he short amount of time it takes to donate can mean a lifetime to a patient with a serious medical condition. We urge eligible donors to join us in the selfless act of giving blood.鈥�

Donors of all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, B negative, and A negative. According to the Red Cross, type O negative is the universal blood type that can be safely transfused to anyone and is often used to treat trauma patients.

For more information or to make an appointment to donate, email llondre@lco.edu or sign up online at redcrossblood.org. 

On Wednesday Swagger informed the university's board of regents about his decision and the board accepted his resignation earlier today.

The Board of Regents intends to initiate a search for the next president of the university.

In the interim, Karen Breit will serve as acting President.

Dr. Swagger was appointed as the president of 涩里番下载 in 2018, where he successfully transitioned the institution from a community college to a university.

 The 涩里番下载 Elementary/Middle School Education Program will focus on preparing teachers, increasing Native American teacher retention rates in Wisconsin, increasing Ojibwe Immersion Teachers, and increasing the diversity of teachers. 涩里番下载 Education Program will respond to under-served geographic areas (rural reservations), particularly in understaffed content areas such as mathematics and science. The Elementary/Middle School Education Program prepares teachers to plan, instruct, assess, and adjust. Teachers graduating from 涩里番下载 Education Program will know, understand, implement, and assess the cultural experience of all children by integrating Culturally Responsive Schooling and implementing social justice education. Teachers will be prepared to assist children with space based education and land based education by being aware of our connection to the earth and the importance of protecting natural resources. A reciprocal obligation not only to our earth but to each other will be emphasized by utilizing Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Graduates with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary/Middle School Education could pursue a career as a licensed elementary school teacher, daycare administrator, preschool teacher, Ojibwe immersion teacher, or substitute teacher.

On February 11, 2025, the Elementary/Middle School (K鈥�9) program submission was approved by Dr. Kimberly Strike, an Education Consultant with the Licensing, Educator Advancement, and Development division at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Dr. Strike stated, 鈥淚 am honored to be a part of your journey, and I know the work you and your team put into this process. Please know that your dedication to the field [of education] is greatly appreciated. I look forward to the completion of our state鈥檚 first bilingual Ojibwe candidates.鈥�

涩里番下载鈥檚 President Swagger said, 鈥淭his degree is very important to our people because we need to prepare our future generations for the challenges that await us. A strong teacher education degree program will be a great starting point for those changes to take place.鈥�

An open house is planned for April 25, 2025 at 涩里番下载.

To learn more about this degree program or to enroll, contact the 涩里番下载 Admissions team at 715-634-4790 or visit the website at /admissions.

When: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Where: 涩里番下载,

13466 W. Trepania Road, Hayward, WI 54843

You can support the student scholarship fund by donating here: /give

涩里番下载 (涩里番下载) awarded $47,000 in scholarships to 58 students for the Fall 2024 semester. Congratulations to our scholarship recipients!

Colette Abeita

 Annetmaureen Anunike

 Parker  Arntsen-Beaudin

 Callie Asp

 Cody  Atchison

 Levi Bartz

 Brianna Bellcourt

 Jeannie Buckholtz

 Jordan  Campbell

 Elaina  Corbine

 Elissa Decora

 Carrie  Enoch

 Amoh Etta

 Jamie  Fleming

 Brittany  Gordon

 Alana  Gouge

 Giavonni  Grover

 Gerard  Guyette

 Fartuney H. Haji-Ali

 Sereniti  Havens

 Leah  Hoffman

 Mercedez  Isham

 Kay Lynn  Jensen

 Marissa  Johnson

 Samantha  Kappeler

 Destiny Kingfisher

 Gina Krizan

 Gabriel  LaBlang

 Desmond  LaPointe

 Robert Manning

 Duane  Miller

 Natasha Miller

 Ricky Miller

 Doreen  Milligan-Smith

 Ronald Nordin

 Doris  Nwabunma

 Christine  Olson (Maiwald)

 Kimberly  Oshkeshequoam

 Christieanna Roberts

 Clarice  Roberts

 Jessica  Rought

 Consuelo  Ruiz

 Pamela St. Germaine

 Erica M  Toman

 Janey  Trepanier

 Faith   Trout

 Hannah Tutor

 Desiree Week

 Eunice  Zamora

Support Student Scholarships: /give

To be eligible for the President鈥檚 List, a student must be a full-time student carrying a minimum of 12 credits while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average. Those who achieve the Dean鈥檚 List are full-time students who have earned at least a 3.5 grade point average out of a possible 4.0.

President鈥檚 List Fall 2024

Cody Atchison

Jeannie Buckholtz

Darien Carley

Amy Gonzalez

Natasha Miller

Veda Sunderland

Erica Toman

Marcus Williams

Dean鈥檚 List Fall 2024

Christie Branagan

Jordan Campbell

Elaina Corbine

Leah Hoffman

Kay Jensen

Marissa Johnson

Desmund Lapointe

Student-Led Teams Developed Plans To Increase Food Sovereignty Using Renewable Energy 

DOE also today announced 14 Phase 1 winners of the American-Made . Student-led groups teamed up and created plans to increase the use of renewable energy to support Tribal food sovereignty initiatives on TCU campuses.  

鈥淭CU鈥檚 hold unique ties to land, language, and Indigenous knowledge to foster a regenerative economy,鈥� said Office of Indian Energy Director Wahleah Johns. 鈥淭he $4 million prize selections will support 14 student led teams in demonstrating how clean energy compliments and strengthens Indigenous food sovereignty.鈥�  

TCUs of Phase 1 winning teams were each awarded a $40,000 cash prize and will advance to Phase 2a.

The teams represent:  

• Blackfeet Community College

• Cankdeska Cikana Community College

• College of Muscogee Nation

• Din茅 College

• I岣穒sa摹vik College

• Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College

• 涩里番下载

• Navajo Technical University

• Northwest Indian College

• Oglala Lakota College

• San Carlos Apache College

• Sinte Gleska University

• Stone Child College

• White Earth Tribal & Community College.

.

Regards,
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs
1000 Independence Ave. SW | Washington DC 20585

For more information on the Office of Indian Energy,  and follow us on social media.

 1.       Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College will continue to implement our mission by expanding our services and strengthening our relationships to meet the needs of the communities we serve.

路         Implemented the elder discount policy for the next fiscal year. Review as needed annually.

路         Continued memberships to MASFAA (Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators), WASFAA (Wisconsin Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators), and NASFAA (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)

路         Continued FAFSA assistance to local schools.

路         Revised Financial Aid Policies & Procedures to align with the Department of Defense regulations for VA students and community members. Review as needed yearly.

路         Developed Financial Statements templates to provide Monthly Financial Statements to the Board of Regents.

路         Hosted campus expansion ground blessing and groundbreaking event celebrating new dormitories.

路         Campus expansion briefing to Tribal Governments, community foundations, and partners.

路         Hosted the 4th Annual Seven Generations Inter-tribal Leadership Summit in partnership with the College of Menominee Nation and Universities of Wisconsin.

路         Attended the State of Education Address in Madison.

路         Met with state representatives to share progress and future goals of the University.

路         Hosted Federal and State representatives on campus discuss partnership opportunities to support future goals of the University.

路         Attended the Johnson Scholarship Foundation Annual Meeting.

路         Attended the Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner.

路         Attended the Sawyer County/Lac Courte Oreilles Economic Development Corporation Annual Meeting.

路         Hosted Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board鈥檚 Winning with Wisconsin event.

路         Increased recruitment staffing to two full time recruiters.

路         FY24-25 Budget was approved.

2.       Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College will practice ethical and responsible conduct by continuing to develop and care for those in its employ.

路         Reviewed and processed Colleague procedures for 1099s, 1098-Ts, and W-2s.

路         Faculty and staff interviewed with WOJB and WRLS, ongoing.

路         Under new policy, employees that fall under 鈥渉ourly鈥� have been set up and timecards and training have been established.

路         Implemented the Grant Compliance Administrator position to work with grant project managers from application to end of grant; 涩里番下载 administers approximately 50 grants.

路         Implemented the grant application procedure to ensure notification of management that a grant application is available, seek approval for grant application, and work with the CFO and Grant Compliance Administrator on application and budget for grant to ensure goals of the University are implemented in the grant and all allowable costs are requested and budgeted for appropriately.

路         The Dean of Students participated in the American Indian College Fund Women鈥檚 Visionaries Program

3.       Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College will proactively pursue innovative ways to enhance current support services and create new opportunities for its students and alumni.

路         Hosted the 3rd annual Migiziwag Dayesaashijig Gala, honored Christian Clarquist as Alumni of the Year.

路         Remodeled the university front entrance area which included painting, lights and the creation of a new space for the vending machines.

路         Reviewing the Amnesty program for the 2024-2025AY

路         Hosted Niigaaniziwin at the U event featuring Jay Schlender, GLIFWIC Administrator.

路         Spring and Fall 2024 registration mailer sent to area homes.

路         Announced new institutional scholarships 鈥� Marie Kuykendall Scholarship & Waaswaaganing Scholarship Fund.

路         Hosted the 4th Annual 涩里番下载 Student Scholarship Golf Outing raising more than $25,000 to support the Student Scholarship Fund.

路         Amending the financial aid policy to better fit our needs.

路         Attended the Higher Learning Commission conference.

路         Emergency Aid distributions 50 students served $15,554.79 in aid distributed.

路         Internships 30 total

路         GED/HSED Graduates 21; GED/HSED participants 40

路         GED/HSED Outreach Sites 4 students

路         TRIO served 98 students

路         Events:

o   Community: Feast of Thanksgiving, Resource Fair, Career Fair, FASFA Nights

o   Student: Fun Study Week, Writing Workshops, TRIO Workshops, Internship Appreciation

路         Peer Mentors/Tutors 4 and served 12 students

路         Tutor software: Tutor.com 8 students

路         UWill Served 52 student/staff; 122 booked appointments

4.       Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College will continue to evaluate current academic offerings and develop new programs to meet the needs of the tribal and surrounding communities we serve.

路         Revitalized 涩里番下载 Extension programming, offering many different Ojibwe Traditional crafts, harvesting wild foods and bringing in over 1300 Continuing Education Units in the spring of 2024.

路         State of Wisconsin approved us as an Emergency Medical Service Training Center

路         HLC approved the Emergency Medical Responder training course.

路         HLC approved the Emergency Medical Technician certificate

路         Hosted Native Nations Summit

路         Nursing program complete site visit from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing

路         Masters of Management refined and created seven out of the nine courses for the degree.

路         Masters of Human Services created second year courses. Created courses to be fully functional online courses which meets the needs of advancing students from all areas.

路         First time Masters in Management and Masters of Human Services graduates in May 2024.

路         Masters of Management program created a student Welcome aboard package and Zoom meetings in anticipation of an additional cohort of students.

路         Early Childhood Education program received a $310,000 grant from the American Indian College Fund to expand the program.

路         Moving Early Childhood Education certification to Career and Technical Education.

 5.       Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College will continue to develop relationships to increase the capacity to accomplish its goals and meet the needs of its students.

路         Entered a contract with Woodstone, Inc. for the construction of the dorms.

路         Broke ground on student dormitories.

路         Revised Financial Aid Policies & Procedures to align with the Department of Defense regulations for VA students and community members. Review as needed annually.

路         Created and implemented scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.

路         Reviewing student account balances and communicating with students to sign up for payment plans. Implemented new payment plan options for students. There was a 9.5% increase from previous semesters of students who signed up for a payment plan.

路         Implemented TouchNet software and students can make payments online and sign up for payment arrangements.

路         Implemented course fees and additional student charges for the Colleague system.

路         Financial Aid disbursed $910,599 to eligible students in Fall 2023

路         Financial Aid disbursed $68,500 to 75 students who completed the 涩里番下载 Scholarship for Fall 2023

路         The Financial Audit was Approved.

路         Created a partnership with the Student Freedom Initiative to provide financial tools, work opportunities, technology, relationship building, and more.

路         Received AICF-TCU Scholarship for Summer 2024- $29,930

路         Disbursed over $1,292,321 of financial aid to eligible students for the 2023-2024 award year.

路         FISAP was approved.

路         Completed write-offs for deceased students.

路         Communicated with students informing them of the new payment plan policy for registration and worked with students to set them up.

路         Updated the fiscal policy to have a holds policy to assist with student balance collection.

Although at first, Jamie had a rough start. She dropped out of high school in tenth grade and pursued odd jobs while moving around Minnesota and Michigan. Housekeeping, front desk jobs, night audits, waitressing gigs, and assisted living caregiving count among her work experiences. Additionally, when she moved back home to Lac Courte Oreilles, Jamie 鈥渕ade a couple of mistakes.鈥� She was incarcerated in a federal prison in 2019, far away from her home and children. However, she reflected on her experiences during her incarceration, which led her to wanting a career in human services. When she got out in 2020, she enrolled herself in college at the 涩里番下载 and began realizing her truer self, one step at a time. Today, she credits her mistake as a turning point in her life, as proof that one never knows what life has in store for them.

Since her release, she has attained full-time employment with The Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Government. She started out as a mail-room clerk and was promoted to administrative assistant in 2021. Her promotion came after one year of taking on more responsibilities at her workplace. For example, she increasingly performed more reception tasks and delved into understanding disability benefits. Consequently, tribal members thank her day in and day out for helping them navigate the types of programs and benefits available to them within the tribe.

鈥淚 can recall a time not too long ago, before I began working for the tribe, where I didn't know of the benefits or help that was available to our members,鈥� Jamie said. 鈥淪o yeah, it's been a huge leap for myself and to acquire so much knowledge within the short time I have worked for my tribe. To assist other members with the knowledge I have gained, it's kind of emotional for me. I'm just happy to help my people prosper.鈥�

Meanwhile, what Jamie is learning at University is helping her prosper too. She鈥檚 in a grant writing class that will bolster her human services skillset and apply to her job. Additionally, she鈥檚 taking more online psychology courses this fall, as the subject is one of her key interests.

Experiences, classes, and events like the ones Jamie highlighted about her journey at 涩里番下载 lead her to readily encourage people to enroll at the University too. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e confused, come to the front desk, and they鈥檒l point you to the place you need to go,鈥� Jamie said. 鈥淢y sister is on the fence about it, and I have been telling her about helpful programs, like TRiO鈥� It鈥檚 a big step, but it鈥檚 not that bad once you get in the doors鈥� It鈥檚 not a huge campus; it鈥檚 convenient, and the smallness makes it close鈥攍ike a family.鈥�

Help us serve more people like Jamie. Donate today. Every donor matters and every donation counts.

In outlining the department鈥檚 goals, Dean Smith set up continuous conversations with UW-Madison about research grants; with UW-Stout about local logistical sustainability studies; with the 涩里番下载 nursing faculty about the emergency medical services (EMS) program; and with local tribal communities about their vocational needs.

鈥淚鈥檝e always been mindful of our tribal needs first and foremost,鈥� says Dean Smith. 鈥淚鈥檝e received the community鈥檚 collective directives through feasibility studies. Now I鈥檓 working with a team of like-minded visionaries to develop our CTE programs in accordance with what those studies tell us.鈥�

Where Dean Smith comes from informs her belief in the necessity for this area of development. She was born in Green Bay and grew up on the Oneida reservation as Donald Smith鈥檚 daughter, who served as the LCO Health Director for more than 35 years. Her grandparents are Henry and Agnes Smith, they owned a general store in New Post. Henry was also one of LCO鈥檚 first tribal chairmen, and Agnes believed so much in the power of education that she was taking college courses in her seventies.

Following in her family鈥檚 footsteps, Dean Smith holds a Master of Operations & Supply Chain Management from the University of Wisconsin 鈥� Stout that she uses to serve her communities. For example, her previous experiences include working with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce as a certified business plan writer and with Spirit Winds Consulting as a co-founder who helped Native-owned businesses become industry ready.

Her deep-rooted connection to and involvement with the LCO tribe sets her up for being an excellent Dean of Career and Technical Education, one who has faith in the community鈥檚 ability to enact positive change. As such, her efforts rely on those who support the University mission and operations through their continued development and funding of the CTE department.

Give to 涩里番下载

鈥淢y perspective shifted when I moved from being Assistant Dean to Dean of Student Services,鈥� Dean Carley said. 鈥淚nstead of overseeing Career Services and working alongside TRiO, for example, now I must oversee both. My work is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. I must keep asking myself and my team, what is the picture we鈥檙e trying to create?鈥�

Dean Carley grew up on the LCO reservation. She and her father enrolled in a math class in 1989 at what was then Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College (Today: 涩里番下载). Afterward, she worked at Grand Casinos, INC., where she met her now husband Edwin A. Carley. They moved from Wisconsin to Mississippi to Delaware to assist in opening two other highly successful casinos. When they moved back to Wisconsin, she started working as a cage cashier for the Grindstone Creek Casino until she resigned after she was informed that she couldn鈥檛 read books during slow shifts. With family support she returned to LCOOCC and graduated with a liberal arts associate degree in 2003.

She then worked as an HR director for the LCO tribe for three years before joining LCOOCC as the Assistant for the Work Based Learning Program in 2005. After five years, she earned a promotion to the director position and later became the Associate Dean of Students Affairs & Work Based Learning Program. She maintains the same level of passion for her work as when she first started.

鈥淲e鈥檝e always been surviving as LCO people. Forever we鈥檝e been surviving, surviving. I want to see us shift to thriving,鈥� Dean Carley said. 鈥淢y hope is that we become a place of healing and self-reflection for those who walk through our doors. We all have a purpose in this life, and I want us to be a place that helps people find their purpose.鈥�

Danielle Carley, previously Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Work Based Learning Program Director, is now the Dean of Students. 

Jeromy Cowell joined the team as Farm Director, and he will be working alongside the Career and Technical Education (CTE) department.  

Todd Van Deslunt was previously the Peer Mentor Advisor/Writing Lab Coordinator and is now Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Work Based Learning Program Director.

Brandy Lonetree-White was previously Director of Records & Registration and is now Registrar.

Kristy Phillips, previously Native American Studies Faculty, is now the Education Department Director.

Jodee Smith joined the team as Dean of Careers & Technical Education (CTE).

Ashley Stone joined the team as the new Bad River Outreach Site Coordinator & TRiO/SS Success Coach.

Dr. Odawa White, previously Dean of Institutional Research & Registrar, is now Chief Academic Officer (CAO).

鈥淓ach of these individuals have demonstrated exceptional loyalty to the University mission and exceptional leadership skills within their department and field. Their promotions are well-earned. What they have done and what they continue to do for the University and our neighboring communities is hopefully just the start of a long series of great contributions,鈥� President Russell Swagger said.  

鈥淪he has exceptional qualities of character like honesty, compassion, and loyalty,鈥� Dr. Steven wrote in his recommendation of Christian. 鈥淚 truly do not have words to describe her passion for healthcare. Christian was chosen as the nurse of the month in June 2023 for the entirety of Indian Health Services (IHS). She helped lead the clinic and therefore the community during and through the pandemic of a lifetime.鈥�

LCO born and raised, Christian crossed paths with the University as early as high school. The University offered the LCO School the chance to let their high school students take higher level classes for credit at the University. When she was a high schooler, Christian made use of that offer.

However, when the time came to go to college, Christian enrolled at a big university. She did not know that such a move meant she had to face the pressure of navigating a new city and a new community, alone, within a depersonalized institution. Faced with such significant downsides, she ended up leaving that university and enrolling at 涩里番下载, her mother鈥檚 alma mater.

鈥淭he part I will always cherish about 涩里番下载 is the great classes and teachers. The smaller classes really helped me feel like it was okay to talk to my instructors when I had questions. If I did not understand a concept in class, I was able to meet with them, and they would explain it in a different way that made sense,鈥� Christian said.

She pursued an associate degree in nursing and graduated in 2014. Although she previously thought of pursuing a career in the military or becoming a police officer, pursuing a career in nursing turned out to be the right choice for her, as in 2021, she became the Lac Courte Oreilles Community Health Clinic Director of Nursing due to her exceptional nursing skills.

鈥淚 have been working on a big project of getting Sexual Assault Exams and Intimate partner Violence Exams done in clinic. Currently we have three Registered Nurses (RN) working to get certified as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner鈥擜dult (SANE-A) and one as Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner鈥擯ediatric (SANE-P). We hope that offering these exams close to home will help eliminate the added trauma of having to travel to a bigger city for an exam of this nature,鈥� Christian said.

This is only the beginning for Christian. She is also currently in school for a bachelor鈥檚 degree in health administration. Surely, an impressive career awaits her. We wish her all the best!

Because of your donations, students like Christian can stay near home while pursuing degrees in higher education that lead them to making big, positive changes to their surrounding communities. Every dollar counts in making our students鈥� dreams come true. Support them via multiple, flexible donation options using the link below.

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