The American Indian College Fund welcomed seven new faculty fellows to its spring 2026 cohort, awarding a total of $96,063 to faculty and staff at tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) to support their graduate studies. Through these fellowships, recipients are strengthening the academic capacity of their four institutions by pursuing advanced and terminal degrees.
Master’s Degree Fellowship
The College Fund’s Master’s Degree Fellowship supports TCU faculty and staff who have been accepted to or are enrolled in a master’s program in any field of study. Fellows may receive up to $25,000 over two years.
Spring 2026 Master’s fellows include:
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Glen Philbrick, business faculty at Sitting Bull College, pursuing a Master of Science in Economics.
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Kyla Hammock (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), nursing faculty at Bay Mills Community College, pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing Education.
Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship
The Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship provides one-year awards of up to $20,000 to TCU faculty in the final stage of their doctoral programs, enabling them to complete their dissertations and meet graduation requirements. The fellowship aims to advance individual educational goals, increase the number of doctorate-holding TCU faculty, and cultivate leaders from within tribal communities.
Spring 2026 Dissertation fellows include:
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Kim Parko, creative writing faculty at Institute of American Indian Arts, pursuing a Ph.D. in Transdisciplinary Studies.
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Dakota Goodhouse (Standing Rock Sioux), Native American studies and history instructor at United Tribes Technical College, pursuing a Ph.D. in History.
Nyswander–Blanchard Pre-Dissertation Fellowship
Established in 2012 with support from former College Fund Board Member Kim Blanchard and the Nyswander-Manson family, the Nyswander–Blanchard Pre-Dissertation Fellowship supports TCU faculty who are admitted to or enrolled in doctoral programs and are in the coursework phase of their studies. Fellows receive between $3,000 and $10,000 for one year to cover degree-related expenses such as tuition, fees, and books.
Spring 2026 Pre-Dissertation fellows include:
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Jamie Figueroa, creative writing faculty at Institute of American Indian Arts, pursuing a Ph.D. in Visionary Practice and Regenerative Leadership.
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Tanecia Hallai, Exercise Science and Liberal Arts Department Chair and faculty at Bay Mills Community College, pursuing a Ph.D. in Public Health with a specialization in community health.
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Ashly Ellis, Nursing Program Director at Bay Mills Community College, pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Education.
Through these fellowships, the College Fund continues its commitment to advancing higher education in Native communities by investing in the professional growth and leadership of TCU faculty and staff.
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