Staff
| Dr. Melissa Holder (Winnebago Tribe) Director of Student Success Room 106, Tommaney Library | Melissa "Missy" Holder is a citizen of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska from Sioux City, Iowa, by way of Horton, KS. She is a proud alumna of Haskell Indian Junior College, where she earned an Associate of Arts in social work, then transferred to the University of Kansas to earn her bachelor's, master's, and PhD in social work. Her research focuses on historical trauma, intimate partner violence, community partnerships, and relationality. Missy taught social work at Haskell and KU for close to 18 years. She currently serves as director of the Student Success Center, principal investigator for the USDA Tribal Colleges Extension Program and the KU/Haskell Bridges to Baccalaureate Research Training Program grant, and co-sponsor of the 155 Indian Run Club. Missy's most prideful "job" is being mom to her three children, AJ, Stanley, and James. When she's not at work, you can find her in the gym or binge-watching reality shows. Advice to Haskell students: Balance your academics and create healthy boundaries. |
| Julia White Bull (Hunkpapa Lakota) Student Success Coach Room 137, Tommaney Library | I was born and raised in a Tipi at Yellow Thunder Camp located in the Black Hills until the age of 3. Yellow Thunder Camp brought me closer to my roots and my community. I grew to be a strong advocate for Lakota language and culture because of that connection to Yellow Thunder Camp. My twin sister and I interned with the Spencer Museum of Art while students at Haskell Indian Nations University. It culminated my passion for art and history. After graduating from Haskell Indian Nations University, I pursued my Master of Arts in Indigenous Studies focusing on Indian Art History, more specifically in jewelry and adornment. |
| Hello, my name is Austin Boykin. I'm Paiute from California and a proud Haskell alum who specializes in student accommodations, resume writing, and healthcare degrees/careers. Outside of work, you'll usually find me basket weaving or beading. feel free to ask about it! | |
| Han mitákuyepi. Julianna Benge emáčiyapi ksto. Sicangu Oyanke hemátanhan na MaLakota. Hello! My name is Julianna Benge, and I am Sicangu Lakota from the Saint Francis community, located on the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. In 2022, I graduated from the University of South Dakota with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work. This past May, I graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education with my M.Ed. in Education Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship with a concentration in Higher Education. While in undergrad, I transferred from Fort Lewis College to USD after my first semester, I dropped out a month into my third semester and spent the remainder of my academic year back at home, and had to work twice as hard academically, mentally, and spiritually as I transitioned back into college. However, also during this time, I participated in summer research and internships, was a peer mentor, held multiple leadership positions including president of two separate student organizations, and became one of 55 Udall Scholars nationally during the 2021-2022. I previously worked at University of South Dakota for over two years as the Native |
