McCann to direct Indigenous Scholar Development Center at NSU

(Tahlequah, Okla.)--Dr. Jennifer McCann has been chosen to direct the Indigenous Scholars Development Center (ISDC) at Northeastern State University.

McCann, a research specialist and financial coordinator for the College of the Muscogee Nation, will assume the directorship on June 4.

"This is an excellent opportunity to engage with indigenous communities, families and students in a unique higher education setting," McCann said. "My doctoral work focused on Native students in higher education. I have a personal, professional and academic interest in making higher education accessible to the needs of Native students and communities."

The ISDC is a multi-year, federally funded grant project to improve the academic performance, college retention, graduation rates and occupational success of low-income American Indian students. It will implement direct services to students, develop faculty and staff and engage the community.

"The primary objective of the ISDC grant is to enhance the academic accomplishment of our Native American students through extensive programming and intervention strategies," said Dr. Ron Cambiano, who served as principal investigator for the grant. "The grant's objectives provide for a comprehensive approach to the delivery of services that will enhance the experiences of the entire NSU community."

As director, McCann will be responsible for securing resources to allow the ISDC's scholar development coordinators achieve the center's mission.

"My other critical responsibilities are to foster the development of intertribal community and secure funding for the future center on campus," she said.

Scholar development coordinators will provide intervention services for undergraduate students identified as at-risk. Coordinators will work directly with students, project staff and other on-campus academic and support offices.

"The coordinators will plan, implement and monitor ISDC student services to meet the goals of the program and facilitate student-related projects, workshops and activities," McCann said. "They will also conduct community outreach."

Dr. Amy Aldridge Sanford, assistant professor of communication studies, chaired the search committee which selected McCann.

"Dr. McCann has the ability to really connect with our students and will fit well within our university culture," Sanford said. "She is approachable, a hard worker and is excited to serve as the director of the ISDC. I am excited to have her as a colleague."

NSU President Steve Turner expressed his appreciation to the screening committee and others involved in the selection of McCann.

The ISDC program is a unique stand-alone project that will enhance our retention efforts and serve to develop future leaders," he said. "Dr. McCann has a passion for students and a clear vision of how to meet the specific outcomes of the grant. This new project should compliment other existing campus programs while recognizing the autonomy and identity of other grant projects."

An Ojibwe Indian, McCann received her bachelors degree in English at Northern Illinois University in 1998. She was awarded her masters degree in bilingual and multicultural education from Northern Arizona University in 2000 and earned her doctorate of educational policy studies from the University of Illinois in 2008. Her doctoral specialization is Native Americans in higher education.

She has worked for the CMN in Okmulgee since December 2009. Prior positions held include adjunct instructor for the Division of General Studies at Bacone College, financial aid administrator at the University of Illinois and adjunct instructor for The English Center in Champaign, Ill. She has also served as a substitute teacher for Tahlequah Public Schools.