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About the cohort
This Indigenous-centered cohort reflects an ongoing partnership between the EdD Program in Educational Leadership and the Muckleshoot Tribal College. The Doctoral Program (EdD) in Educational Leadership welcomes educators, leaders, community members, advocates and those committed to systemic and societal transformation to strengthen commitment, approaches, and communities through theory, praxis, and reflection with the EdD practice doctorate degree. This program is designed for professional educators and leaders who actively work with Tribal communities. All courses will be taught by faculty with extensive experience working and leading within Tribal communities.
Artwork and logo created by Muckleshoot tribal member, Samuel Obrovac, 2021
Muckleshoot Tribal College
In 1995, the Muckleshoot Tribal Council made a significant commitment to higher education in the Muckleshoot community by creating the Muckleshoot Training Center. Designed to provide business training for tribal members seeking employment in the newly created Muckleshoot Indian Casino, the center offered computer training and college-level courses through agreements with Seattle Central Community College and Regis University of Denver, Colorado. The NACTEP Grant, known as the MOST Program, was one of the main programs at the Muckleshoot Tribal College.
Renamed Muckleshoot Tribal College in 1997, a partnership with Northwest Indian College was formed, as students continued to study for and complete the GED, pursue 2-year degrees, and receive introductory and intermediate training in a number of computer applications. Clover Park Technical College began offering its Office Assistant Training program through the NACTEP (Native American Career Technical Education Program) federal grant in 2000 that offered wide-ranging technology opportunities through the Muckleshoot Occupational Skills Training (MOST) program. The M.O.S.T. program continues today through a partnership with Green River Community College. Also in 2002, Northwest Indian College initiated the Class of 2004, to provide 2-year Associate of Arts transfer degrees.
Currently the Muckleshoot Tribal College houses the Native Technology Plus Associate of Applied Science Transfer Degree in Information Technology (I.T.) Systems, and, Security; the GED/HS21+ programs, a Pre-Apprentice Carpentry program through a partnership with Green River College, the Certified Nursing Assistant Program with Renton Technical College, the Northwest Indian College Associate of Arts, and, Bachelor’s Degree in Tribal Governance and Business. Continuing education and life skills classes are also offered throughout the year. A Writing Center was currently developed. The Muckleshoot Early College Program just celebrated its 10th Year of assisting with High School completion. To date, over 130 Muckleshoot youth have completed this program, and, moved forward in their High School completion. Other programs and partnerships are currently being developed as the Muckleshoot Tribal Council’s commitment to higher education continues today.
For more information about the Muckleshoot Tribal College, contact:
Dr. Denise Bill, Ed.D., Executive Director of Adult & Higher Education, Denise.bill@muckleshoot.nsn.us
For more information about the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.), contact:
Ashley Walker, M.Ed., Advising Lead, School of Education, aew7@uw.edu
2023 Cohort Graduates
Carrying on the traditions of her education-oriented family, Marisa Jones, ’23, Ed.D. Educational Leadership, is fulfilling her sacred obligations to future generations.
After years and decades of being told she was in the wrong place, Mona Halcomb, ’23, Ed.D. Educational Leadership, is just getting started.
Eileen Jimenez, ’23, Ed.D. Educational Leadership, embodies the spirits of her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and proudly aspires to be, like them, a persona educada.
Support from the circle of students in the Muckleshoot Cohort Ed.D. program is a key element that got Debbie Hales, ’23, Ed.D. Educational Leadership, through the rigors of her doctoral studies.
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