The IAIA Alumni Council is having an election this August for three (3) open seats. The Alumni Council’s mission is to foster communication and engagement between the alumni and their alma mater, support IAIA’s goals, and offer a collective alumni voice.

IAIA Alumnae Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo, ’89), Melissa Shaginoff (Chickaloon/Pyramid Lake, ’16), and Jennifer Juan (Tohono O’ogham,’16) during the 2016 IAIA Commencement.

To be eligible to run for Alumni Councilor, you must hold a degree from IAIA (a high school diploma, AA, AFA, BA, BFA, or MFA) and not be an IAIA faculty or staff member. The deadline to submit a candidacy form is July 18, 2016. You may only submit a candidacy form for yourself. The Alumni Council election will be held from August 4 to August 19 and all alumni are eligible to vote.

The Alumni Council

The Council is the principal representative of alumni and the primary forum for the exchange of alumni sentiment. The Council consists of 7 members who serve two-year terms, with the exception of the first Council, of which 4 members are serving 3-year terms in order to stagger elections. The first Alumni Council election were held in 2014—this will be the second election for members. The Council meets four times a year, with Councilors attending either by conference call or in person. Councilors have the option of being reimbursed up to $500 annually for travel expenses to attend meetings.

The four continuing Councilors are President Karl Duncan (Arikara/Mandan/Hidatsa/San Carlos Apache, ’09), Vice-President Nancy Fields (Lumbee, ’06), Selina Farmer (Cherokee, ’98), and George Greendeer (Ho-Chunk, ’86). Outgoing Councilors are Wayne Gaussoin (Navajo/Picuris Pueblo, ’09), Ryan Rice (Mohawk, ’87), and Terry Snowball (Ho-Chunk/Prairie Band Potawatomi, ’96).

Alumni Councilor Responsibilities

1. The Alumni Councilor represents alumni in the following ways: Brings ideas and concerns of alumni to the attention of the Council and the College; Reports back to alumni on these matters and any other affairs of alumni interest; Acts on behalf of the alumni.
2. The Alumni Councilor communicates with alumni on a regular basis.
3. The Alumni Councilor works with the Trustees, faculty, students, and administration in a common effort to preserve the Institute’s strengths and build its future.

If you have any questions, please contact Alumni Relations Manager Chee Brossy at cbrossy@iaia.edu or (505) 424-5704.