Alumni
Nerli Paredes Ruvalcaba
I grew up in the Tijuana-San Diego border and then moved to complete my undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Psychology at the University of California, Riverside. My research interest include breastfeeding and the multiple variables that affect a mother's decision to breastfeed, such as medical interactions. More specifically I would like to explore how indigenous women make such decisions, the macro-forcers that influence their choices, and the tangible effect those decisions have on the health of their children. All of my research is framed in a biocultural and critical approach within medical anthropology, but I am currently interested expanding it by learning more about indigenous methodology. Outside my research interests I strive to be involved with the community with the goal of increasing the representation of minorities in academia.
I grew up in the Tijuana-San Diego border and then moved to complete my undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Psychology at the University of California, Riverside. My research interest include breastfeeding and the multiple variables that affect a mother's decision to breastfeed, such as medical interactions. More specifically I would like to explore how indigenous women make such decisions, the macro-forcers that influence their choices, and the tangible effect those decisions have on the health of their children. All of my research is framed in a biocultural and critical approach within medical anthropology, but I am currently interested expanding it by learning more about indigenous methodology. Outside my research interests I strive to be involved with the community with the goal of increasing the representation of minorities in academia.
Marie Schaefer
I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University, a founding member of the MSU Indigenous Graduate Student Collective as well as an Anishinaabekwe (Odawa) who grew up in Michigan. My work focuses on Indigenous knowledges revitalization especially manoomin (wild rice) revitalization as well as braiding indigenous knowledges and scientific knowledge using community-based participatory approaches. I work to bridge knowledge systems and understand how collaborations between knowledge systems can contribute to sustainable futures for indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.
I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University, a founding member of the MSU Indigenous Graduate Student Collective as well as an Anishinaabekwe (Odawa) who grew up in Michigan. My work focuses on Indigenous knowledges revitalization especially manoomin (wild rice) revitalization as well as braiding indigenous knowledges and scientific knowledge using community-based participatory approaches. I work to bridge knowledge systems and understand how collaborations between knowledge systems can contribute to sustainable futures for indigenous and non-indigenous peoples.
Angie Kolonich
I am Post-doctoral research associate in the CREATE for STEM Institute at Michigan State University, and an affiliate of American Indian and Indigenous Studies. I am Métis, originally from Winnipeg Manitoba, but live and teach in Michigan. I received my Ph.D. in 2017 in Curriculum and Instruction and Teacher education, and my research and current work focuses on development and implementation of equity-focused teacher professional development. My aim is to broaden teacher conceptions of what counts as scientific knowledge and what student success in science looks like.
I am Post-doctoral research associate in the CREATE for STEM Institute at Michigan State University, and an affiliate of American Indian and Indigenous Studies. I am Métis, originally from Winnipeg Manitoba, but live and teach in Michigan. I received my Ph.D. in 2017 in Curriculum and Instruction and Teacher education, and my research and current work focuses on development and implementation of equity-focused teacher professional development. My aim is to broaden teacher conceptions of what counts as scientific knowledge and what student success in science looks like.
Shelbi Nahwilet Meissner
Míiyuyam! Notúng Shelbi Nahwilet Meissner yaqáa.
I am a third year PhD student in philosophy at Michigan State University. I grew up in New Mexico/Arizona and received my undergraduate degrees in philosophy, English, and linguistics at New Mexico State University. My research interests are American Indian & Indigenous philosophy, philosophy of language, and feminist epistemology. I am interested in the relationship between Indigenous knowledges and Indigenous languages, as well as the implications of this relationship for Indigenous language revitalization programs and curricula. As a language learner myself, Indigenous languages, and the interests of epistemic justice in the revitalization thereof, are my passions. I am currently studying my ancestral language, Luiseño, or 'atáaxum pomtéela, through a revitalization program at CSU-SB. In addition to being a #languagenerd, I'm also an enthusiast of community organizing, youth activism, digital literacies, and spicy food.
Míiyuyam! Notúng Shelbi Nahwilet Meissner yaqáa.
I am a third year PhD student in philosophy at Michigan State University. I grew up in New Mexico/Arizona and received my undergraduate degrees in philosophy, English, and linguistics at New Mexico State University. My research interests are American Indian & Indigenous philosophy, philosophy of language, and feminist epistemology. I am interested in the relationship between Indigenous knowledges and Indigenous languages, as well as the implications of this relationship for Indigenous language revitalization programs and curricula. As a language learner myself, Indigenous languages, and the interests of epistemic justice in the revitalization thereof, are my passions. I am currently studying my ancestral language, Luiseño, or 'atáaxum pomtéela, through a revitalization program at CSU-SB. In addition to being a #languagenerd, I'm also an enthusiast of community organizing, youth activism, digital literacies, and spicy food.
Santos F. Ramos
Santos F. Ramos is a Xicano organizer and a Doctoral student at Michigan State University, where he teaches writing with an emphasis on race & technology. His community-engaged research focuses on food sovereignty, Indigenous Rheotorics, and social justice organizing. He is also a huge fan of basketball, hip-hop, and sad Mexican love songs from back in the day.
Santos F. Ramos is a Xicano organizer and a Doctoral student at Michigan State University, where he teaches writing with an emphasis on race & technology. His community-engaged research focuses on food sovereignty, Indigenous Rheotorics, and social justice organizing. He is also a huge fan of basketball, hip-hop, and sad Mexican love songs from back in the day.
Jaquëtta Shade
I am the Graduate Assistant for MSU's American Indian Studies Program (AISP) and a second year PhD Student in Rhetoric & Writing in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures (WRAC). My concentration is in Cultural Rhetorics with a focus on American Indian rhetoric. I am a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and received my M.A. and B.A. in English from Northeastern State University in my hometown of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. My research primarily focuses on meaning-making through everyday, cultural practices within the home, such as cooking and through rhetorical strategies in writing and other narrative forms. My academic interests include Indigenous feminism, material culture and dress studies, Native pedagogy, Indigenous research methods, and constructions of American Indian histories.
I am the Graduate Assistant for MSU's American Indian Studies Program (AISP) and a second year PhD Student in Rhetoric & Writing in the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures (WRAC). My concentration is in Cultural Rhetorics with a focus on American Indian rhetoric. I am a citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and received my M.A. and B.A. in English from Northeastern State University in my hometown of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. My research primarily focuses on meaning-making through everyday, cultural practices within the home, such as cooking and through rhetorical strategies in writing and other narrative forms. My academic interests include Indigenous feminism, material culture and dress studies, Native pedagogy, Indigenous research methods, and constructions of American Indian histories.
Kehli Henry
I am an Anishinabekawe who grew up around Michigan, and am a PhD student in the Department of Anthropology. I received my bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University with a major in Anthropology and a minor in American Indian Studies. I hope to someday do research with and for American Indian tribes, in the areas of youth education and behavioral health. I am particularly interested in Indigenous and collaborative research methods. I live in Lansing with my wonderful husband C.J. and my dog Nero, and we love to watch Major League Soccer together. Go D.C. United!
I am an Anishinabekawe who grew up around Michigan, and am a PhD student in the Department of Anthropology. I received my bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University with a major in Anthropology and a minor in American Indian Studies. I hope to someday do research with and for American Indian tribes, in the areas of youth education and behavioral health. I am particularly interested in Indigenous and collaborative research methods. I live in Lansing with my wonderful husband C.J. and my dog Nero, and we love to watch Major League Soccer together. Go D.C. United!
Nicole Klarmann
I'm a sixth year PhD student in the Department of Anthropology focusing in archaeology. My research focuses on cultural interaction and spatial archaeology. My area of focus is the Midwestern United States, specifically the Illinois River valley. I spent the last five summers excavating at the village/habitation site of Morton Village near Lewistown, IL. I am currently the Online Course Assistant for the Department of Anthropology. I am from Texas originally and completed my Bachelors of Science Degree in 2012 at Baylor University in Waco, TX with a Major in Anthropology and a Minor in Forensic Science. I earned my MA in Anthropology at MSU in 2014.
I'm a sixth year PhD student in the Department of Anthropology focusing in archaeology. My research focuses on cultural interaction and spatial archaeology. My area of focus is the Midwestern United States, specifically the Illinois River valley. I spent the last five summers excavating at the village/habitation site of Morton Village near Lewistown, IL. I am currently the Online Course Assistant for the Department of Anthropology. I am from Texas originally and completed my Bachelors of Science Degree in 2012 at Baylor University in Waco, TX with a Major in Anthropology and a Minor in Forensic Science. I earned my MA in Anthropology at MSU in 2014.
Meenakshi Narayan
I am a third year graduate student in the Anthropology Department. My research focuses on understanding how indigenous communities and their knowledge systems respond to forces of globalization. My research interests include; Indigenous knowledge - continuity and change, Tribal identity, medical anthropology, ethno-medicine, anthropology of the body, gender, and stereotyping and construction of categories.
I am a third year graduate student in the Anthropology Department. My research focuses on understanding how indigenous communities and their knowledge systems respond to forces of globalization. My research interests include; Indigenous knowledge - continuity and change, Tribal identity, medical anthropology, ethno-medicine, anthropology of the body, gender, and stereotyping and construction of categories.
Jake Jurss
Leah Hickey
I graduated from the J.D. Program at Michigan State University College of Law, Indigenous Law Center Certificate Candidate. I'm particularly interested in tribal governments and the creation of tribal legal codes and court systems. I received my B.A. at the University of Minnesota in English, Native American Studies with a focus on the Ojibwe Language, and Communications. In addition to studying, I love golfing, playing volleyball, and cooking.
I graduated from the J.D. Program at Michigan State University College of Law, Indigenous Law Center Certificate Candidate. I'm particularly interested in tribal governments and the creation of tribal legal codes and court systems. I received my B.A. at the University of Minnesota in English, Native American Studies with a focus on the Ojibwe Language, and Communications. In addition to studying, I love golfing, playing volleyball, and cooking.
Victor Del Hierro
I am a dedicated Hip Hop scholar and Chican@ from the Juarez-El Paso borderland. My research focuses on the transformative power of Hip Hop, Chican@ and Indigenous rhetorical practices. Currently I am interested in the Hip Hop Cipher as both a community practice as well as theoretical framework for rhetoric and composition.
I am a dedicated Hip Hop scholar and Chican@ from the Juarez-El Paso borderland. My research focuses on the transformative power of Hip Hop, Chican@ and Indigenous rhetorical practices. Currently I am interested in the Hip Hop Cipher as both a community practice as well as theoretical framework for rhetoric and composition.
Christie Poitra
I am excited and thankful to pursue a PhD in Educational Policy. The heart of my research is Native American education, specifically the representation of tribal governmental interests in the K-12 school system. I completed my undergraduate work at the University of California, Berkeley, and received a Master of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to joining the College of Education, I was a Teach for America corps member, Education Pioneers Fellow, and New Sector Fellow. I have also worked as a consultant for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Los Angeles Unified School District.
Contact Information: [email protected], christiepoitra.com
I am excited and thankful to pursue a PhD in Educational Policy. The heart of my research is Native American education, specifically the representation of tribal governmental interests in the K-12 school system. I completed my undergraduate work at the University of California, Berkeley, and received a Master of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. Prior to joining the College of Education, I was a Teach for America corps member, Education Pioneers Fellow, and New Sector Fellow. I have also worked as a consultant for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Los Angeles Unified School District.
Contact Information: [email protected], christiepoitra.com
Adam Haviland