Students
Demographics
The first cohorts of students included students from around Puget Sound and all over the northwest, but also from as far away as Gila River/Maricopa, Aleut, Apache, Tlingit, Lakota, Taos Pueblo, Wichita and Turtle Mountain, Hawaii, and the Philippines. The range of tribal backgrounds adds to the quality and depth of the class discussions. Most students were employees from tribal and state governments, and some from non-profits. They possess expertise in administration, higher education, natural resources, finance, intergovernmental relations and human resources. Linda Moon-Stumpff and Alan Parker are the primary Tribal MPA faculty with faculty from the traditional MPA program rotating in to teach portions of the core curriculum. Visiting lecturers included tribal leaders from around Washington and Montana, as well as Sam Deloria, Patricia Zell, and Billy Frank, Jr.
Student Spotlight
Terri Mail- Colville Tribal Member in the MPA-Tribal Concentration
Terri was raised in Loomis, Washington and is currently employed with the Colville Tribe as the Fish & Wildlife Administrator Director. Terri's past work experience includes working for the Quinault Indian Nation - Executive Assistant, Colville Casinos - Accountant I, Colville Tribe - HR Manager, Wenatchee Golf & Country Club - Greens Keeper, Desert Canyon Golf Course -Food & Beverage Manager, Mission Ridge Ski Resort - Retail
Terri is currently at Evergreen in the MPA-Tribal Concentration gearing up for graduation this June 2010! She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Martin's University and her AA Degree from Grays Harbor College
Inspiring thoughts Terri has about the MPA-Tribal Concentration:
Applying for entrance to The Evergreen State College's Tribal Masters Public Administration program - I was nervous! I wasn't sure if I had a solid foundation to start my Masters in Public Administration because my background is in Education. Getting to know the ladies that I currently work with, enable me to improve and broaden my learning curve. Going through this particular Masters program has been inspiring and exciting. I've made really good friends and worked with awesome people. The professors (Alan and Linda) are very knowledgeable, and I will continue to use them as a resource in the future. Because of this program, I was able to attain employment in a capacity of a tribal administrator. I have and will continue to encourage tribal people to apply and attain their Masters from this very program.
The past two years have flown by while working full time, being a full time mother of two children (5 and 3 years of age) and wife. Honestly, I could not have completed my college education without the support of my Husband. I'm a driven person, and really want to be successful as any other academias. I appreciated the flexibility of this program and the support given by the professors! Thank you.
"Regardless of what life springs before you keep your life and vision(s) in front and don't lose focus, and appreciate the responsibility of your education placed into your own hands." (Terri L. Mail)
Alumni
Celine Cloquet-Vogler, Councilwoman for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, graduated from the MPA Tribal Governance program in June 2006. She was born in Tacoma and earned her BA in Communications, with an emphasis in Public Relations, from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Celine has worked as Public Relations Manager for the Showboat Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, as Communications Manager for the Seattle law firm, Graham, Lundberg & Peschel, and in Client Relations for Ridolfi, Inc., also in Seattle.
She was recently recruited to the position of Assistant Local Agency and Development Services Manager for the Northwest Region of the Washington State Department of Transportation. We think her MPA degree had something to do with that.
In reflecting on her academic experience at Evergreen Celine states, “I feel extremely privileged to have had the opportunity to study Public and Tribal Administration at Evergreen. My degree has carved a path I know will take me on an exciting journey, lasting the rest of my life. Having been offered a job with the State after graduation affords me the opportunity to serve the people of my tribe as a Councilwoman, and in addition, I have the honor of serving the citizens of the State of Washington, as well. I owe many thanks to my professors and peers for this wonderful gift.