It’s easy to forget that something as abstract as belief can create a tangible impact – one that ripples through generations. Michael (direct descendent of Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians), longtime American Indian College Fund (College Fund) scholar and current faculty fellow, is living proof that when someone believes in you, it can change everything.
Like many students, Michael followed the “traditional” education journey by enrolling in a mainstream institution right after graduating high school. But he wasn’t ready and lacked the support system and resources to stay on that path. He dropped out, entered the workforce, and started a family. At 28, Michael returned to school – this time at his local tribal college, Turtle Mountain College (TMC). There he found faculty and staff that helped him succeed and more importantly, reminded him that he was capable of more than he ever imagined.
Today, Michael is multiple degrees into his academic career and on the verge of becoming the first Native American to earn a doctorate in business administration at the University of Mary. His achievement has opened doors for others: more Native students are enrolled in each following cohort of the program. “It’s a big deal to know I’m the first one and there are people following along behind me,” Michael shares.
His heart has always been in the classroom, and since 2021 Michael has been a faculty member at TMC, teaching information technology, cybersecurity, and business. The belief his mentors had in him is the reason he’s come this far—and now he’s passing that same encouragement to his students, including his daughters. Michael’s two eldest children, Ailiyah and Gracelyn (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians), are both enrolled in TMC majoring in cybersecurity and biology, respectively.
Through Michael’s example, Ailiyah and Gracelyn learned firsthand that dedication and a strong support system can help you achieve anything. Inspired by her language teachers, Gracelyn practices Ojibwe outside the classroom and even texts her dad in Ojibwe to help him learn. Like her father, Ailiyah dreams of earning a doctorate and becoming a role model for other Native women in male-dominated cybersecurity. Seeing his daughters succeed at TMC is all Michael ever wanted, saying, “It starts at Turtle Mountain and moves out from there.”
Michael is one of the College Fund’s faculty fellows—a program designed to strengthen academic excellence at Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) by supporting faculty in earning graduate degrees. His dissertation examines TCU graduates who transition to mainstream universities and the differences in support they experience. Having attended both, Michael knows that success begins with strong support systems—and believes mainstream universities that provide these resources will see higher retention and graduation rates.
The College Fund has been part of Michael’s journey every step of the way. He credits this support and his mentors’ encouragement for helping him earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Michael has gone farther than he ever dreamed—and now his work is paving the way for the next generation of Native students to go even further. He’s showing that belief isn’t abstract; it’s the spark that ignites growth and transforms lives, families, and communities. “We need more Indigenous graduate students and doctors,” says Michael. “We are so talented individually, we need to bind together and show the world what we can accomplish once we work together.”
Watch the video below to listen to Michael share more about his journey and his goals for the future of Turtle Mountain College and all Native students:
