Cynthia Lindquist

Chief Strategy Officer

Cynthia (Cindy) Lindquist is a lifelong North Dakotan and Spirit Lake Dakota Tribal member whose career has spanned decades working with Indian health, higher education, and public policy domains. She served as President of Cankdeska Cikana Community College, her Tribe’s college, for 21 years (2003-2024) and then as the Director, Tribal Initiatives & Collaborations for the University of North Dakota. Her undergraduate degree and doctorate in Educational Leadership are from the University of North Dakota with a master’s from the University of South Dakota.

In her role as Chief Strategy Officer, Dr Lindquist’s responsibilities will support implementation of the College Fund’s strategic plan, expand current opportunities and engage new relationships, and to foster collaborations to achieve College Fund priorities and goals. She serves as a thought partner and advisor for problem solving and achieving results toward College Fund success.

Promoting and advocating for higher education opportunities for underserved students as well as policy development is her passion, and Cindy appreciates the College Fund tag line “Education is the Answer” because it is so true and is so meaningful for Native students.