Dawn Tallchief

Professional Background

I moved to Lawrence in August 2000 to serve as a grant administrator at Haskell Indian Nations University. After leaving Haskell in September 2004, I was hired as a campus Dean and Interim Registrar at First Nations University of Canada. I returned to Lawrence and was hired to serve in a temporary position at KU as a Program Assistant for the Academic Achievement and Access Center.  After the leaving the AAAC, I moved into the position of Assistant Director for the Office of Professional Military Graduate Education (now Military Graduate Programs). My primary responsibility was to manage the launch of the Wounded Warrior Education Initiative program. I left KU for an opportunity to work as a Program Office for the American Indian College Fund, based out of Denver Colorado. I have also worked for the Lawrence Public School District, assisting group home residents. I missed working at KU and I am thrilled to be back!

Research Background

My dissertation research was a qualitative case study of the Native American Achievement Program, a student retention program I helped develop at Arizona State University. My research methodologies of choice have been qualitative and my research interest area has been focused on the Native American student experience in higher education.

Oversight

I oversee most of the Center’s student programs such as the Emerging Scholars Program, Undergraduate Travel Awards, Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol, and student presentation opportunities. I also advise students who are interested in getting started in research and manage requests from the campus community to provide information through classroom visits and various information fairs about the Center’s student programs.