In this episode of Community Health Conversations, we delve into a captivating conversation with three distinguished individuals from the Red Lake Nation College. Our guests share insights into how the college is creating supportive and culturally relevant learning environments for students, intertwining cultural relevancy into programs and courses.
We explore the unique challenges and opportunities that the Red Lake Nation College faces in the post-COVID landscape, shedding light on student-focused initiatives and the power of partnerships and collaborations. Our guests eloquently discuss the pivotal role education plays in improving and transforming health outcomes for American Indian Communities.
| “..Wellness and doing well in your courses and doing well in your life and doing well in your community… are all connected” – Nadine Bill |
Nadine Bill, B.S.
Director of Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness
Nadine Bill is a higher education professional with over twenty years’ experience in leadership positions.
Nadine has extensive experience in admissions and student services at the University of Washington. She has served as a development and community outreach director at Green River Community College. In 2005 Nadine was honored with a prestigious fellowship in Higher Education at Harvard University. During her time at Harvard, Nadine focused on student services research and worked on an inter-faculty initiative at the Kennedy School of Government.
Nadine is a published author who led the primary research in 2009 funded by the Gates Foundation on “Native Pathways: A Study of Colleges and Universities Best Practices for Native American Students in Washington State”. For the last 10 years she has served in the Tribal College system as a Dean of Students and Institutional Research.
Nadine Bill, is a member of the Upper Skagit Tribe of Washington State and descendent of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central Washington University, graduate work in higher education, and graduate fellowship from Harvard University.
Rachel King-Siert, M. Ed.
Director of Student Services
Rachel King-Siert is an enrolled member of the Red Lake Nation. As a first-generation student, she attended the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Speech, Hearing, and Language Sciences. She continued on to earn a Master’s in Education with a focus on learning through community and experiential learning, also from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
Over the past 18 years, Rachel has dedicated her work to helping students and families navigate through educational systems. She has had the opportunity to work in most areas for student support, from admission and financial aid, to academic advising. She has also worked with a diverse array of college students at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis Community and Technical College, Concordia College, and Dartmouth College.
Her role at RLNC will include working in outreach to the Native community in Minneapolis and online, and assisting students with registration, enrollment, and financial aid. She will also focus on student success and retention.
Kayla Duane
Communications Director
Kayla Duane is an enrolled member of the Leech Lake Band of the Ojibwe, raised in Minneapolis. As a first generation student, she attended the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing Education. During Kayla’s time at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, she served as the President of the American Indian Student Cultural Center, and the External Relations Officer for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society. Kayla’s experience as a President of the American Indian Student Cultural Center and an External Relations Officer for the American Indian Science & Engineering Society has given her a deep understanding of business operations, marketing trends, and data analysis while also advocating for Indigenous perspectives in the Marketing and STEM field.
Most recently, Kayla Duane worked at SPS Commerce as an Associate Consultant for a little over a year. In previous roles, she has worked as IT Support, a Sales Analyst, and Marketing intern at various companies across the Twin Cities.
At RLNC, Kayla will be working as the Communications Director where she is focusing on marketing and fundraising for the future of the Minneapolis Site in order to help RLNC grow and expand their resources to help all our students thrive.
Resources:
Red Lake Nation College Website: https://www.rlnc.edu/
Get your free at-home COVID-19 tests monthly at Say Yes!
Mino Bimaadiziwin Wellness Clinic: https://www.rlpmh.org/
Renew your insurance at the Minnesota Department of Health’s website.
See qualifications and find information for the Test to Treat Program at 1-844-609-2415.
Community Health Conversations is made possible with the support of the Minnesota Department of Health. To find information about COVID vaccines and boosters, please visit MN.gov/COVID19.
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