By: Michael McFall
The daughter of a medicine man and weaver, Lena Judee spent her days as a young Arizona Navajo girl in a community close to its traditional American Indian roots. She left her family to pursue a higher education, and after studying at two colleges and working 23 years at another university, Judee has joined the U as one of two new staff members to help American Indian students.
The U has appointed two new staff members in attempt to increase American Indian student enrollment and improve American Indians' chances for academic achievement. In the last five years, new Native American student enrollment peaked in 2006 with 14 students.
In order to improve those numbers, the U appointed Nola Lodge as the new director of American Indian teacher education in the College of Education and hired Judee as the coordinator for American Indian students in the Center for Ethnic Student Affairs.
Michael Hardman, dean of the College of Education, said that Lodge's leadership experience and commitment will benefit the preparation of American Indian students for careers in the field of education.
Lodge, a member of the Wisconsin Oneida tribe, will work directly with departments in the College of Education to reach out to Utah's American Indian community, as well as coordinate programs with the Office for Diversity and the American Indian Resource Center to draw and retain more American Indian students. She will also teach two courses on multicultural education each year.
"I am delighted to accept the position here in the College of Education and look forward to collaboration with the college departments and American Indian faculty and staff," Lodge said.
Judee will be critical in providing full academic support and guidance for the students, said David Pershing, the senior vice president for academic affairs. Judee said that her academic success proves that young American Indians can succeed.
"If I can make it this far, they can do it even better," she said.
Lodge and Judee will begin their work in July.
Friday, May 23, 2008
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