FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Friday May 15, 2020

BIE Director Announces Haskell Indian Nations University President

Dr. Ronald J. Graham selected as Haskell Indian Nations University President

• HASKELL INDIAN LEADER: Vacant HINU President Spot Filled
• LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD: After over a year of interim leadership, Haskell finds permanent president

WASHINGTON, DC – Today,Director of the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Tony L. Dearman announced the selection of Dr. Ronald J. Graham as the new president at Haskell Indian Nations University (Haskell). 

“We are pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Graham as Haskell President,” said Director Dearman.  “Dr. Graham comes with tremendous skills and abilities not only in educational programs, but also in focusing on diversity and inclusion in education.  Dr. Graham is passionate about soliciting and using input from stakeholders and fostering a team environment to create success.  His leadership style will provide the platform necessary for Haskell’s current dedicated staff to be part of team decisions that will move Haskell forward.” 

Dr. Graham received his Doctor of Education in Organization and Leadership/International Multicultural Education at the University of San Francisco, CA. He most recently served as the Dean of Instruction in Health Sciences, Public Safety and Industrial Technology atVictor Valley College located in Victorville, CA. Dr. Graham enters with a wealth of knowledge and experience that will serve the Haskell community well. 

“Having worked in the education field for almost 25 years in major universities and community colleges, I was ecstatic about the Haskell Indian Nations University president position,” remarked Dr. Graham. “To work with a university, such as this flagship institution, that educates tribal youth and future tribal leadership is extremely exciting. In the past, I have worked on five-year strategic plans, marketing ideas, improving student retention and growth, as well as enhancing university IT software and much more. I plan to use this experience to drive projects to improve the student and staff experience at Haskell. This will be a total university team effort to move Haskell forward into the next phase of the college’s already phenomenal legacy.”

Haskell Indian Nations University

Haskell has an average student enrollment of more than 1000 students each semester with students representing 140 federally recognized tribes from across the United States.  Haskell prepares students to enter baccalaureate programs in elementary teacher education, American Indian studies, business administration, and environmental science; to transfer to another baccalaureate degree-granting institution; or to enter directly into employment. Haskell also integrates American Indian/Alaska Native culture into all its curricula.   

Haskell’s Vision and Mission live in all they do, as they work to serve students in this unique and diverse inter-tribal setting with a commitment to the advancement of sovereignty, self-determination, and the inherent rights of tribes.  Haskell is focused on building leadership capacity within its students by serving as the leading institution of academic excellence, cultural and intellectual prominence, and holistic education that addresses the needs of Indigenous communities. For more information, visit Haskell Indian Nation University website at https://www.haskell.edu/

Bureau of Indian Education

The Bureau of Indian Education implements federal Indian education programs and funds 183 elementary and secondary day and boarding schools serving approximately 47,000 students. BIE oversees the operation of two post-secondary schools, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute and Haskell Indian Nations University. BIE administers grants for 29 tribally controlled colleges and universities and two tribal technical colleges. For more information, visit BIE website at https://www.bie.edu/.