- Details
- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Higher Education
The College of the Muscogee Nation and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas signed an agreement that will allow tribal college students to transfer into UNLV's hospitality program with a focus on tribal gaming and hospitality management.
The agreement, signed June 6 at the CMN campus in Okla., allows students to transfer up to two years of coursework toward a bachelor's degree at UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hospitality. Students can complete their degree in approximately two additional years through on-campus or online classes.
The partnership represents the first agreement of its kind between the Harrah College of Hospitality and a tribal college. The program offers concentrations in tribal gaming and hospitality management.
"We're excited and thankful for the opportunity to build bridges with tribal colleges to help educate Native hospitality industry leaders," David Cárdenas, dean of the Harrah College of Hospitality, said in a statement.
The UNLV Tribal Education Initiative, which facilitated the partnership, receives funding from the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. The initiative develops educational programming focused on Native American business enterprises including casinos, hotels and cultural centers.
CMN President Monte Randall said the partnership could serve as a model for other Indigenous colleges and universities. "It signals a commitment to higher education that recognizes the unique cultural and community needs of Indigenous students, while also emphasizing academic excellence," he said in a statement.
Tammi Tiger, director of UNLV's Tribal Education Initiative, worked with CMN over two years to develop the partnership through campus visits, focus groups and discussions on program structure.
"The college strongly believes education is the key to empowering the next generation of leaders in Tribal economic advancement," according toTiger, who is Choctaw and Muscogee.
Transfer students will have access to academic advisors, full-time faculty instruction and career services including internships and job placement assistance through the Boughner Center for Career Services.
CMN students can apply to the UNLV program immediately.
